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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 25, 2018
     
Commission File Number Exact Name of Registrant; State of
Incorporation; Address and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
001-32871 COMCAST CORPORATION 27-0000798
 

PENNSYLVANIA

One Comcast Center

Philadelphia, PA 19103-2838

(215) 286-1700

 
     
001-36438 NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC 14-1682529
 

DELAWARE

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, NY 10112-0015

(212) 664-4444

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

  o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Comcast Corporation o
   
NBCUniversal Media, LLC o

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

Comcast Corporation o
   
NBCUniversal Media, LLC o

 

 

 

Item 1.01.Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Credit Agreements

 

On April 25, 2018, Comcast Corporation (“Comcast”) entered into (i) a term loan credit agreement among Comcast, the financial institutions party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities LLC, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”), and (ii) a 364 day bridge loan credit agreement among Comcast, the financial institutions party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities LLC as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners (the “Bridge Loan Credit Agreement” and, together with the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the “Credit Agreements”). The Credit Agreements were entered into in connection with the all-cash offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Sky plc (“Sky”), described below in Item 8.01, and the proceeds of the loans under both Credit Agreements are intended to be used for the purposes of financing such transactions.

 

The Term Loan Credit Agreement provides for a £7 billion unsecured term loan credit facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) to Comcast. The Term Loan Facility is comprised of (i) a 3-year tranche in the aggregate principal amount of £3 billion, which will mature on the date that is 3 years after the date of the initial borrowing of the 3-year tranche of the Term Loan Facility and (ii) a 5-year tranche in the aggregate principal amount of £4 billion, which will mature on the date that is 5 years after the date of the initial borrowing of the 5-year tranche of the Term Loan Facility. Loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement may be borrowed in pounds sterling or U.S. dollars at Comcast’s option. The Bridge Loan Credit Agreement provides for a £16 billion unsecured bridge loan credit facility (the “Bridge Loan Facility”) to Comcast for 364 days after the initial borrowing. The commitments under the Credit Agreements will remain in effect until the earlier of September 30, 2019 or the date on which certain termination events customary for U.K. public acquisition financings, including any withdrawal by Comcast of its offer for Sky, occur. Loans under the 5-year tranche of the Term Loan Facility will amortize at an annual rate of (i) 8.0% during the fourth year of the Term Loan Facility and (ii) 12.0% during the fifth year of the Term Loan Facility. Amortization payments are not required for loans under the 3-year tranche of the Term Loan Facility or under the Bridge Loan Facility. The Term Loan Facility and the Bridge Loan Facility are each guaranteed by Comcast Cable Communications, LLC and NBCUniversal Media, LLC (the “Guarantors”).

 

Subject to receipt of commitments from new or existing lenders and subject to other customary conditions, Comcast may increase the commitments under the Bridge Loan Facility, so long as there is no event of default continuing under the Bridge Loan Credit Agreement after giving effect to such increase. At this time, Comcast has not borrowed any funds under either of the Credit Agreements. Under the Term Loan Facility, interest is based on either (i) the base rate formula or (ii) the Eurodollar rate formula. Under the Bridge Loan Facility, interest is based on the Eurodollar rate formula.

 

The Credit Agreements contain customary representations and warranties as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. Negative covenants include, among others, limitations on incurrence of liens by Comcast and certain of its subsidiaries and limitations on incurrence of indebtedness by certain of Comcast’s subsidiaries (other than the Guarantors), and a requirement that the leverage ratio (as defined in each of the Credit Agreements) as of the end of any fiscal quarter is not greater than 5.75 to 1.00. If any of the events of default occur and are not cured within applicable grace periods or waived, any unpaid amounts under the Credit Agreements may be declared immediately due and payable and the commitments may be terminated, but in each case subject to further customary “certain funds” limitations during the applicable period.

 

In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the lenders and the other parties to the Credit Agreements and their respective affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking, investment banking, financial advisory or other services with Comcast and its affiliates for which they have in the past and/or may in the future receive customary compensation and expense reimbursement.

 

The description above is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the Term Loan Credit Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this report and the Bridge Loan Credit Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this report and each are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.03.Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

 

 

The information required by Item 2.03 and included under the heading “Credit Agreements” in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01.Other Events.

 

On April 25, 2018, Comcast announced pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “City Code”) a pre-conditional all-cash firm offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Sky (the “UK Announcement”). Pursuant to the offer, Sky shareholders will be entitled to receive £12.50 in cash for each Sky share (implying a value of approximately £22 billion, or $31 billion using the exchange rate at the time of the offer), plus any final dividend in respect of the Sky fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 up to an amount of £0.218 per Sky share which is declared and paid prior to the Effective Date (as defined in the UK Announcement) (the “Final Dividend”). Comcast reserves the right to reduce the price of £12.50 per Sky share by: (i) some or all of any amount of the Final Dividend which is in excess of £0.218; and (ii) some or all of the amount of any other dividend (or other distribution or return of capital) which is announced, declared, paid or becomes payable by Sky to Sky shareholders on or after the date of the UK Announcement and prior to the date on which Comcast is entered into the register of members of Sky following the Effective Date.

 

It is intended that the acquisition will be implemented by way of a takeover offer under Part 28 of the UK Companies Act 2006 and under the City Code. The acquisition is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, where applicable) of certain conditions, including receipt of antitrust and regulatory approvals and Comcast securing valid acceptances of the offer in respect of Sky shares which, taken together with all other Sky shares that Comcast (and/or its nominee(s)) has acquired or agreed to acquire (whether pursuant to the offer or otherwise), carry more than 50% of the voting rights then normally exercisable at a general meeting of Sky. The pre-conditions and the conditions to the acquisition are set forth in the UK Announcement.

 

In conjunction with the UK Announcement, Comcast issued a US press release relating to the offer for Sky (the “US Press Release”).

 

The foregoing summary of the UK Announcement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the UK Announcement. The US Press Release and the UK Announcement are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, respectively, and each is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

10.1Term Loan Credit Agreement among Comcast, the financial institutions party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities LLC, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, dated April 25, 2018.

 

10.2364-day Bridge Loan Credit Agreement among Comcast, the financial institutions party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities LLC as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, dated April 25, 2018.

 

99.1US Press Release relating to a cash offer for Sky by Comcast, dated April 25, 2018.

 

99.2UK Announcement of a cash offer for Sky by Comcast, dated April 25, 2018.

 

No Offer or Solicitation

 

This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or an invitation to subscribe for, purchase or exchange, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance, exchange or transfer of the securities referred to in this document in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.

 

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

 

This document contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The information included in this document may contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, “forward looking statements”. Such forward looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and on numerous assumptions regarding the business strategies and the environment in which Comcast, NBCUniversal Media, LLC (“NBCUniversal”) and Sky and their respective associated companies will operate in the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in this document may relate to the financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations of Comcast, NBCUniversal and Sky and their respective associated companies, and other statements other than historical facts. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology, including the terms “believes”, “estimates”, “plans”, “prepares”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “is expected to”, “is subject to”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “may”, “will” or “should” or their negatives or other variations or comparable terminology. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. If any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materializes or if any one or more of the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors. Neither Comcast, NBCUniversal nor any of their respective associates, directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this document will actually occur. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place any reliance on forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date of the relevant document. Each of Comcast and NBCUniversal expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement (except to the extent legally required).

 

Unless expressly stated otherwise, no statement contained or referred to in this document is intended to be a profit forecast or profit estimate.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    COMCAST CORPORATION
     
     
Date: April 25, 2018   By: /s/ Arthur R. Block
        Name: Arthur R. Block
        Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

    NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC
     
     
Date: April 25, 2018   By: /s/ Arthur R. Block
        Name: Arthur R. Block
        Title: Executive Vice President

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

   
10.1  

Term Loan Credit Agreement among Comcast, the financial institutions party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities LLC, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, dated April 25, 2018.

 

10.2  

A 364-day Bridge Loan Credit Agreement among Comcast, the financial institutions party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities LLC as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, dated April 25, 2018.

 

99.1   US Press Release relating to a cash offer for Sky by Comcast, dated April 25, 2018.
     
99.2  

UK Announcement of a cash offer for Sky by Comcast, dated April 25, 2018. 

     
 

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

among

 

COMCAST CORPORATION

 

The Financial Institutions Party Hereto

 

Bank OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

 

and

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Syndication Agent

 

 

Dated as of April 25, 2018

 

 

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

 

AND WELLS FARGO SECURITIES LLC,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS 1
1.01   Defined Terms 1
1.02   Use of Certain Terms 25
1.03   Accounting Terms 25
1.04   Rounding 26
1.05   Exhibits and Schedules 26
1.06   References to Agreements and Laws 26
1.07   Pro Forma Calculations 26
1.08   Rates 26
1.09   Currency Equivalents 27
SECTION 2 THE COMMITMENTS AND EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT 27
2.01   Amount and Terms of Commitments 27
2.02   Procedure for Borrowings 28
2.03   [Reserved] 28
2.04   [Reserved] 28
2.05   Reduction or Termination of Commitments 28
2.06   Prepayments and Repayments of Loans 29
2.07   Documentation of Loans 30
2.08   Continuation and Conversion Option 30
2.09   Interest 31
2.10   Fees 31
2.11   Computation of Interest and Fees 32
2.12   Making Payments 32
2.13   Funding Sources 33
2.14   Defaulting Lenders 33
SECTION 3 TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY 34
3.01   Taxes 34
3.02   Illegality 35
3.03   Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rates 36
3.04   Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy 37
3.05   Breakfunding Costs 38
3.06   Matters Applicable to all Requests for Compensation 38
3.07   Survival 39
SECTION 4 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT 39
4.01   Conditions Precedent to Effective Date 39
4.02   Conditions Precedent to Borrowings 40
4.03   Determinations Under Sections 4.01 and 4.02 41

 

i

 

Page

 

4.04   Actions by Lenders During Certain Funds Period 41
SECTION 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 41
5.01   Existence and Qualification; Compliance with Laws 41
5.02   Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations 42
5.03   No Legal Bar 42
5.04   Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect 42
5.05   Litigation 42
5.06   Use of Proceeds 42
5.07   Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions 42
5.08   Target Acquisition Documents 43
SECTION 6 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS 43
6.01   Financial Statements 43
6.02   Certificates, Notices and Other Information 44
6.03   Payment of Taxes 45
6.04   Preservation of Existence 45
6.05   Compliance With Laws 45
6.06   Inspection Rights 45
6.07   Keeping of Records and Books of Account 45
6.08   Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries 45
6.09   Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions 46
6.10   Guarantors 46
6.11   Scheme and Offer 46
SECTION 7 NEGATIVE COVENANTS 47
7.01   Liens 47
7.02   Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Indebtedness 48
7.03   Fundamental Changes 48
7.04   ERISA 49
7.05   Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions 49
7.06   Financial Covenant 49
7.07   Scheme and Offer 49
SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES 50
8.01   Events of Default 50
8.02   Remedies Upon Event of Default 51
8.03   Clean-Up Period 52
SECTION 9 THE AGENTS 52
9.01   Appointment 52
9.02   Delegation of Duties 53
9.03   Exculpatory Provisions 53
9.04   Reliance by Administrative Agent 53

 

ii

 

Page

 

9.05   Notice of Default 54
9.06   Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders 54
9.07   Indemnification 54
9.08   Agent in Its Individual Capacity 55
9.09   Successor Administrative Agent 55
9.10   Syndication Agent 55
9.11   Certain ERISA Matters 55
SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS 57
10.01   Amendments; Consents 57
10.02   Requisite Notice; Electronic Communications 59
10.03   Attorney Costs and Expenses 60
10.04   Binding Effect; Assignment 61
10.05   Set-off 63
10.06   Sharing of Payments 63
10.07   No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies 64
10.08   Usury 64
10.09   Counterparts, Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents 65
10.10   Integration 65
10.11   Nature of Lenders’ Obligations 65
10.12   Survival of Representations and Warranties 65
10.13   Indemnity by Borrower 65
10.14   Nonliability of Lenders 66
10.15   No Third Parties Benefitted 67
10.16   Severability 67
10.17   Confidentiality 68
10.18   Headings 68
10.19   Time of the Essence 69
10.20   Status of Lenders and Administrative Agent 69
10.21   Removal and Replacement of Lenders 70
10.22   Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers 71
10.23   Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury 72
10.24   USA PATRIOT Act 72
10.25   Judgment Currency 72
10.26   Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions 73

 

iii

 

 

EXHIBITS
A Form of Guarantee Agreement
B Form of Request for Extension of Credit
C Form of Compliance Certificate
D Form of Assignment and Assumption
E [Reserved]
F-1 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
F-2 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
F-3 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
F-4 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
G Form of Target Acquisition Certificate
SCHEDULES
A Asset Monetization Transactions
2.01 Commitments
6.08 Unrestricted Subsidiaries
10.02 Addresses for Notices

 

iv

 

TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of April 25, 2018, by and among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Borrower”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), Bank OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as syndication agent (in such capacity, “Syndication Agent”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that the Lenders and Administrative Agent provide the Term Loan Facility (as defined below), and the Lenders and Administrative Agent are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

1.01       Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).

 

“3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).

 

“3-Year Tranche Term Commitment” means, for each Lender, the amount set forth under the heading “3-Year Tranche Term Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender became a party to this Agreement, as such amount may be reduced or adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (collectively, the “3-Year Tranche Term Commitments”). As of the Effective Date, the aggregate amount of the 3-Year Tranche Term Commitments of all Lenders is £3,000,000,000.

 

“3-Year Tranche Term Loans” means, collectively the 3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans and the 3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans.

 

“5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b).

 

“5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b).

 

“5-Year Tranche Term Commitment” means, for each Lender, the amount set forth under the heading “5-Year Tranche Term Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender became a party to this Agreement, as such amount may be reduced or adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (collectively, the “5-Year Tranche Term Commitments”). As of the Effective Date, the aggregate amount of the 5-Year Tranche Term Commitments of all Lenders is £4,000,000,000.

 

“5-Year Tranche Term Loans” means, collectively the 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans and the 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans.

 

 

2 

“Acceptance Condition” means, with respect to an Offer, the condition set forth in the Offer Documents with respect to the number of acceptances to an Offer which must be secured to declare such Offer unconditional as to acceptances which shall be more than 50% of the Target shares carrying voting rights.

 

“Acquisition” means (a) any purchase or other acquisition of assets or series of related purchases or other acquisitions of assets by Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including by way of asset or stock purchase, swap or merger) other than from Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the designation by Borrower of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“Acquisition Debt” means any Indebtedness of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, so long as, in the good faith determination of Borrower, such Unrestricted Subsidiary is expected to become a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the consummation of the applicable Material Acquisition) that has been issued for the purpose of financing, in whole or in part, the Target Acquisition or any other acquisition that is a Material Acquisition in accordance with clause (ii) of the definition thereof and any related transactions or series of related transactions in respect of the Target Acquisition or any other acquisition that is a Material Acquisition in accordance with clause (ii) of the definition thereof (including for the purpose of refinancing or replacing all or a portion of any pre-existing Indebtedness of the Target Group or the Person(s) or assets to be acquired); provided that (a) the release of the proceeds thereof to Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, so long as, in the good faith determination of Borrower, such Unrestricted Subsidiary is expected to become a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the consummation of such Material Acquisition) is contingent upon the consummation of the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition and, pending such release, such proceeds are held in escrow (and, if the definitive agreement (or, in the case of a tender offer or similar transaction, the definitive offer document) for the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition is terminated prior to the consummation thereof or if the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition is otherwise not consummated by the date specified in the definitive documentation relating to such Indebtedness, such proceeds shall be promptly applied to satisfy and discharge all obligations of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, so long as, in the good faith determination of Borrower, such Unrestricted Subsidiary is expected to become a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the consummation of such Material Acquisition) in respect of such Indebtedness) or (b) such Indebtedness contains a “special mandatory redemption” provision (or other similar provision) or otherwise permits such Indebtedness to be redeemed or prepaid if the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition is not consummated by the date specified in the definitive documentation relating to such Indebtedness (and if the definitive agreement (or, in the case of a tender offer or similar transaction, the definitive offer document) for the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition is terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the consummation of the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition or the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition is otherwise not consummated by the date specified in the definitive documentation relating to such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is so redeemed or prepaid within 90 days of such termination or such specified date, as the case may be).

 

“Administrative Agent” means Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent permitted under the Loan Documents.

 

“Administrative Agent’s Office” means Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as Administrative Agent has designated by written notice to Borrower and Lenders.

 

 

3 

“Administrative Agent-Related Persons” means Administrative Agent (including any successor agent), together with its Affiliates and the officers, directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of such Persons and Affiliates.

 

“Administrative Questionnaire” means, with respect to each Lender, an administrative questionnaire in the form prepared by Administrative Agent and submitted to Administrative Agent (with a copy to Borrower) duly completed by such Lender.

 

“Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in Control of, is Controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common Control with, such Person.

 

“Agents” means the collective reference to Administrative Agent and Syndication Agent.

 

“Agent Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02(e)(ii).

 

“Aggregate Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of such Lender’s Loans then outstanding and such Lender’s Commitments then in effect.

 

“Aggregate Exposure Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender’s Aggregate Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposure of all Lenders at such time.

 

“Agreement” means this Term Loan Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time.

 

“Agreement Currency” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.25(b).

 

“Announcement Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Certain Funds Period.

 

“Annualized EBITDA” means, at any date of determination, EBITDA for the two (2) fiscal quarter periods then most recently ended times two (2).

 

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

 

“Applicable Amount” means, with respect to the Loans and Commitments of any Class, the rate per annum, in basis points, set forth under the relevant column heading below based upon the applicable Debt Ratings:

 

    3-Year Tranche Term Commitments / 5-Year Tranche Term Commitments 3-Year Tranche Term Loans 5-Year Tranche Term Loans
Pricing Level Debt Ratings
S&P/Moody’s
Commitment Fee Base Rate Eurodollar Rate Base Rate Eurodollar Rate
1 ≥ A+/A1 9.0 0.0 62.5 0.0 75.0
2 A/A2 9.0 0.0 75.0 0.0 87.5
3 A-/A3 9.0 0.0 87.5 0.0 100.0
4 BBB+/Baa1 11.0 0.0 100.0 12.5 112.5

 

 

4 

5 ≤ BBB/Baa2 11.0 12.5 112.5 25.0 125.0

 

As used in this definition, “Debt Rating” means, as of any date of determination, the rating as determined by either S&P or Moody’s (collectively, the “Debt Ratings”) of Borrower’s senior unsecured non-credit-enhanced long-term Indebtedness for borrowed money (the “Subject Debt”); provided that, solely for purposes of determining the Applicable Amount, if a Debt Rating is issued by each of S&P and Moody’s, then the higher of such Debt Ratings shall apply (with Pricing Level 1 being the highest and Pricing Level 5 being the lowest), unless there is a split in Debt Ratings of more than one level, in which case the level that is one level lower than the higher Debt Rating shall apply. The Debt Ratings shall be determined from the most recent public announcement of any Debt Ratings or changes thereto. Any change in the Applicable Amount shall become effective on and as of the date of any public announcement of any Debt Rating that indicates a different Applicable Amount. If the rating system of S&P or Moody’s shall change, Borrower and Administrative Agent shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system and, pending the effectiveness of such amendment (which shall require the approval of Required Lenders), the Debt Rating shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change. If and for so long as either S&P or Moody’s (but not both) has ceased to rate the Subject Debt, then (x) if such rating agency has ceased to issue debt ratings generally, or if Borrower has used commercially reasonable efforts to maintain ratings from both S&P and Moody’s, the Debt Rating shall be deemed to be the Remaining Debt Rating and (y) otherwise, the Debt Rating shall be deemed to be one Pricing Level below the Remaining Debt Rating. If and for so long as both S&P and Moody’s have ceased to rate the Subject Debt, then (x) if S&P and Moody’s have ceased to issue debt ratings generally, the Debt Rating shall be the Debt Rating most recently in effect prior to such event and (y) otherwise, the Debt Rating will be the Debt Rating at Pricing Level 5. For the purpose of the foregoing, “Remaining Debt Rating” means, at any time that one of S&P or Moody’s, but not both, is rating the Subject Debt, the rating assigned by such rating agency from time to time.

 

“Applicable Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of the relevant Interest Period, any date that such Loan is prepaid or Converted in whole or in part and the maturity date of such Loan; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three months, interest shall also be paid on the Business Day which falls every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period; and (b) as to any other Obligations, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and the maturity date of such Obligation, except as otherwise provided herein.

 

“Applicable Percentage” means as to any Lender at any time, the percentage which the sum of such Lender’s undrawn Commitment of any Class and the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Loans then outstanding in respect of Commitments of such Class constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the sum of the undrawn Commitments of such Class and the Loans then outstanding in respect of Commitments of such Class.

 

“Applicable Time” means New York City time.

 

“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

“Arranger” means each of MLPFS (or any other registered broker-dealer wholly-owned by Bank of America Corporation to which all or substantially all of Bank of America Corporation’s or any of its subsidiaries’ investment banking, commercial lending services or related businesses may be transferred following the date of this Agreement) and WFS, in its respective capacity as a Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner hereunder (collectively, the “Arrangers”).

 

 

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“Asset Monetization Transactions” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Consolidated Total Indebtedness.

 

“Assignment and Assumption” means an Assignment and Assumption substantially in the form of Exhibit D or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

“Attorney Costs” means the reasonable and documented or invoiced fees and disbursements of a law firm or other external counsel.

 

“Attributable Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Sale-Leaseback Transaction, the present value (discounted at the rate set forth or implicit in the terms of the lease included in such Sale-Leaseback Transaction) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, assessments, utilities, operating and labor costs and other items that do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale-Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended). In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon payment of a penalty, the Attributable Indebtedness shall be the lesser of the Attributable Indebtedness determined assuming termination on the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the Attributable Indebtedness shall also include the amount of the penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date on which it may be so terminated) or the Attributable Indebtedness determined assuming no such termination.

 

“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

 

“Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

“Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A.

 

“Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate in effect for such day plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate” in effect at its principal office in New York City (the prime rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by Bank of America in connection with extensions of credit to debtors) and (c) the Eurodollar Rate that would be calculated as of such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, as of the next preceding Business Day) in respect of a proposed Eurodollar Loan with a one month Interest Period plus 1%. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 

“Base Rate Loan” means a Loan made hereunder that bears interest based upon the Base Rate and is funded in Dollars.

 

“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person

 

 

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whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

 

“Bidco” means a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower formed for the purpose of acquiring all or a portion of the Target shares as set forth in the Offer Document.

 

“BLR Group” means: (i) Brian L. Roberts (“BLR”); (ii) his wife; (iii) a lineal descendant of BLR; (iv) the estate of BLR; (v) any trust of which at least one of the trustees is any one or more of BLR, his wife and his lineal descendants, or the principal beneficiaries of which are any one or more of BLR, his wife and his lineal descendants; (vi) any Person which is Controlled by any one or more of the foregoing; and (vii) any group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) of which any of the foregoing is a member.

 

“Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereto.

 

“Borrowing” and “Borrow” each mean a borrowing of Loans of the same Class hereunder.

 

“Borrower Materials” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02.

 

“Bridge Commitments” means the Commitments (as defined in the Bridge Credit Agreement).

 

“Bridge Credit Agreement” means that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement dated as of April 25, 2018, by and among Comcast Corporation, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo, as syndication agent.

 

“Bridge Loans” means the Loans (as defined in the Bridge Credit Agreement).

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or in London are authorized or required by law to close, and, if the applicable Business Day relates to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, any such day on which dealings are carried out in the applicable offshore Dollar market; provided that the term “Business Day”, when used in connection with any Eurodollar Rate Loan (or Base Rate Loan the rate of which is based on the Eurodollar Rate), shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in Dollar or Sterling deposits in the London interbank market.

 

“Cable Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of Borrower (a) that operates a cable communications business or (b) whose sole purpose is to directly or indirectly own or hold an investment in another Person that operates a cable communications business.

 

“Certain Funds Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to and including the first to occur of:

 

(a) 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the first to occur of (i) the date that is 15 months from the issuance of the initial Rule 2.7 Announcement (the date of such issuance, the “Announcement Date”) and (ii) September 30, 2019;

 

(b) 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the date upon which an Offer lapses, terminates or is withdrawn (unless, within ten Business Days of such date, Borrower has notified Administrative

 

 

7 

Agent that it intends to launch a Scheme or a new Offer and a Rule 2.7 Announcement in respect of that Scheme or Offer, as applicable, is issued;

 

(c) 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the date which is twenty-one (21) days after the later of (i) the date on which an Offer has become or has been declared unconditional in all respects and (ii) the date on which an Offer has closed for acceptances (unless, in each case, compulsory squeeze-out procedures for the acquisition of minority shareholdings in the Target pursuant to Part 28 of the Companies Act (“Compulsory Acquisition Procedures”) have commenced before such date);

 

(d) 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the date on which the Target becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower and Borrower has paid all sums due pursuant to or in connection with, the Target Acquisition and any surrender or cancellation of options or awards over the shares of the Target;

 

(e) if the Target Acquisition is effected by way of a Scheme, 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the date falling 14 days after the Scheme Effective Date or, if later, the date immediately following any extension of the period for settlement of consideration provided by the Panel pursuant to the Takeover Code; and

 

(f) 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the date upon which a Scheme lapses, terminates or is withdrawn (or the same is rejected by the High Court or is not approved by the requisite shareholders of the Target (unless, within ten Business Days of such date, Borrower has notified Administrative Agent that it intends to launch an Offer and a Rule 2.7 Announcement in respect of that Offer is issued).

 

“Certain Funds Termination Date” means the date that is the last day of the Certain Funds Period.

 

“Change of Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, as in effect on the date hereof), other than the BLR Group, of Equity Interests representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Borrower; or (b) the occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of Borrower by Persons who were not directors of Borrower on the date of this Agreement or nominated or appointed or approved by the board of directors of Borrower (or by the Nominating Committee of such board).

 

“Class”, when used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are 3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans, 3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans, 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans or 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans, (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a 3-Year Tranche Term Commitment or a 5-Year Tranche Term Commitment and (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment of a particular Class.

 

“Clean-Up Period Termination Date” means the date that is 120 days after the Final Closing Date.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

“Comcast Cable” means Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

 

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“Commitment” means, for each Lender, the sum of its 3-Year Tranche Term Commitment and its 5-Year Tranche Term Commitment. As of the Effective Date, the aggregate amount of the Commitments of all Lenders is £7,000,000,000.

 

“Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by Administrative Agent or any Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to Section 10.02(e), including through an Electronic System.

 

“Companies Act” means the Companies Act 2006 of the United Kingdom, as amended.

 

“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C, properly completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower.

 

“Compulsory Acquisition Procedures” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Certain Funds Period.

 

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, at any time, total assets minus (a) all franchise rights, goodwill, and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization and (b) all current liabilities (other than current portion of long-term debt), in each case appearing on the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries most recently delivered (prior to such time) pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or, at any time prior to the initial delivery of such consolidated balance sheet pursuant to Section 6.01(a), the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as set forth in Borrower’s annual report most recently filed on Form 10-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, the total Indebtedness for borrowed money of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and Guaranty Obligations of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but excluding, to the extent constituting Indebtedness for borrowed money or Guaranty Obligations in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Indebtedness of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries arising from (A) the asset monetization transactions set forth on Schedule A and any extensions, renewals or replacements thereof and (B) any asset monetization transactions which are recourse only to the assets so monetized and are done on substantially similar terms to the asset monetization transactions set forth on Schedule A (collectively, “Asset Monetization Transactions”).

 

“Continuation” and “Continue” mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the continuation of such Eurodollar Rate Loan as a Eurodollar Rate Loan on the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan.

 

“Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

 

“Control” or “Controlled” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.

 

 

9 

“Conversion” and “Convert” mean, with respect to any Loan, the conversion of such Loan from or into another type of Loan.

 

“Debt Rating” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Applicable Amount.

 

“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States of America or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

“Default” means any event that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

“Default Rate” means an interest rate equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% per annum plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in Section 2.09(a) or (ii) in the case of any other overdue amount, 2% per annum plus the rate applicable to Base Rate Loans, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that has (a) failed to fund its portion of any Borrowing within three Business Days of the date on which it shall have been required to fund the same (or, in the case of any Borrowing on the Initial Closing Date, on the Initial Closing Date), (b) notified Borrower, Administrative Agent or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or generally under agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) failed, within three Business Days after written request by Administrative Agent (which request shall, in any event, be made promptly upon request by Borrower), to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans; provided that any such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender under this clause (c) upon receipt of such confirmation by Administrative Agent, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, (e)(i) been (or has a parent company, including any intermediate parent company, that has been) adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Person or its assets to be, insolvent or (ii) become the subject of a Bail-in Action or a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian, appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company, including any intermediate parent company, that has become the subject of a Bail-in Action or a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such Bail-in Action or bankruptcy proceeding or appointment, unless in the case of any Lender referred to in this clause (e) Borrower and Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that such Lender intends, and has all approvals required to enable it, to continue to perform its obligations as a Lender hereunder or (f) has otherwise become a “defaulting” lender generally in credit agreements to which it is a party (as reasonably determined by Administrative Agent in consultation with Borrower). For the avoidance of doubt, a Lender shall not be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in such Lender or its parent by a Governmental Authority.

 

 

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“Disposition” means (a) any sale, transfer or other disposition of assets or series of sales, transfers or other disposition of assets by Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including by way of asset or stock sale, swap or merger) other than to Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the designation by Borrower of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Dollar” and “$” means lawful money of the United States of America.

 

“EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person or any income generating assets, for any period, an amount equal to (a) the operating income of such Person or generated by such assets calculated in accordance with GAAP adjusted to exclude gains and losses from unusual or extraordinary items, plus (b) depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges to operating income, in each case for such period, minus (c) any cash payments made during such period in respect of any non-cash charges to operating income accrued during a prior period and added back in determining EBITDA during such prior period pursuant to clause (b) above, plus (d) corporate overhead expenses incurred by Borrower in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000 for any fiscal year of Borrower, plus (e) any and all Transaction Costs incurred by Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case whether paid in cash or accrued).

 

“EDGAR” means the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval computer system for the receipt, acceptance, review and dissemination of documents submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in electronic format.  

 

“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

 

“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

“Effective Date” means the date upon which all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 have been satisfied or waived.

 

“Electronic System” means any electronic system, including email, e-fax, Intralinks®, ClearPar®, Debt Domain, Syndtrak, FpML messaging and any other Internet or extranet-based site.

 

“Eligible Assignee” means (i) a Lender; (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender; (iii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof, and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000,000; (iv) a savings and loan association or savings bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof, and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000,000; (v) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or has concluded special lending arrangements with the International Monetary Fund associated with its General Arrangements to Borrow or of the Cayman Islands, or a political subdivision of any such country, and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000,000 so long as such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States or in the country in which it is

 

 

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organized or another country that is described in this clause (v); (vi) the central bank of any country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; or (vii) any other Person approved by Administrative Agent and Borrower.

 

“Equity Interests” means shares, shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means any person that for purposes of Title I or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code would be deemed at any relevant time to be a “single employer” with Borrower under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

 

“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event,” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the failure of Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Plan or any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the occurrence of any event or condition which could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or the incurrence by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of withdrawal liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA), in “endangered” or “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA), or terminated (within the meaning of Section 4041 of ERISA).

 

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

 

“Eurodollar Rate” means:

 

(a)        for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or successor rate, which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other comparable commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

 

 

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(b)       for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to LIBOR, at or about 11:00 a.m., London time determined two Business Days prior to such date for Dollars deposits with a term of one month commencing that day; and

 

(c)        if the Eurodollar Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement;

 

provided that to the extent a successor rate is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided, further that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Eurodollar Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest based on the Eurodollar Rate. For the avoidance of doubt, each Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars shall be a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

 

“Event of Default” means any of the events specified in Section 8.

 

“Exchange Rate” means on any day (a) with respect to Dollars, the rate at which Dollars may be exchanged into Sterling and (b) with respect to Sterling, the rate at which Sterling may be exchanged into Dollars, in each case as set forth at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such day on the Bloomberg World Currency Page for such currency; in the event that such rate does not appear on any Bloomberg World Currency Page, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed upon by Administrative Agent and Borrower, or, in the absence of such agreement, such Exchange Rate shall instead be the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange of Administrative Agent in the market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such currency are then being conducted, at or about 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on such date for the purchase of Sterling or Dollars, as applicable, for delivery two (2) Business Days later; provided, however, that if at any time of any such determination, for any reason, no such spot rate is being quoted, Administrative Agent may, in consultation with Borrower, use any reasonable method it deems appropriate to determine such rate, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

“Existing Restricted Subsidiaries” means all Subsidiaries of Borrower in existence as such on March 28, 2018 and not designated as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries” pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement as of such date.

 

“Extension of Credit” means a Borrowing, Conversion or Continuation of Loans and (collectively, the “Extensions of Credit”).

 

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any law, regulation, rule, promulgation, or official agreement implementing an official intergovernmental agreement with respect to such sections or regulations.

 

“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day;

 

 

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provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent. If the Federal Funds Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

“Fee Letter” means that certain Fee Letter, dated as of March 28, 2018, by and among Borrower, MLPFS, Bank of America, WFS and Wells Fargo.

 

“Final Closing Date” means the first date on which the conditions set forth in clause (c) (unless Compulsory Acquisition Procedures have commenced before such date), (d) or (e) of the definition of Certain Funds Period shall have occurred.

 

“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis (but subject to changes approved by Borrower’s independent certified public accountants).

 

“Governmental Authority” means (a) any international, foreign, federal, state, county or municipal government, or political subdivision thereof, (b) any governmental or quasi-governmental agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, department, instrumentality, central bank or public body, including the Federal Communications Commission, (c) any state public utilities commission or other authority and any federal, state, county, or municipal licensing or franchising authority or (d) any court or administrative tribunal.

 

“Guarantee Agreement” means the Guarantee Agreement to be executed and delivered by each Guarantor, substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 

“Guarantors” means Comcast Cable, NBCU and each Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a party to the Guarantee Agreement pursuant to Section 6.10 (in each case to the extent not released as contemplated by this Agreement).

 

“Guaranty Obligation” means, as to any Person, any (a) guaranty by such Person of Indebtedness of any other Person or (b) legally binding obligation of such Person to purchase or pay (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) Indebtedness of any other Person, or to purchase property, securities, or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment of such Indebtedness or to maintain working capital, equity capital or other financial statement condition of such other Person so as to enable such other Person to pay such Indebtedness; provided, however, that the term Guaranty Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guaranty Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, covered by such Guaranty Obligation or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Person in good faith.

 

“High Court” means the High Court of Justice of England and Wales.

 

 

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“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (f) all Guaranty Obligations of such Person with respect to Indebtedness of others, (g) all capital lease obligations of such Person, (h) all Attributable Indebtedness under Sale-Leaseback Transactions under which such Person is the lessee and (i) all obligations of such Person as an account party in respect of outstanding letters of credit (whether or not drawn) and bankers’ acceptances; provided, however, that Indebtedness shall not include (i) trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business and (ii) deferred compensation; provided, further, that in the case of any obligation of such Person which is recourse only to certain assets of such Person, the amount of such Indebtedness shall be deemed to be equal to the lesser of the amount of such Indebtedness or the value of the assets to which such obligation is recourse as reflected on the balance sheet of such Person at the time of the incurrence of such obligation; and provided, further, that the amount of any Indebtedness described in clause (e) above shall be the lesser of the amount of the Indebtedness or the fair market value of the property securing such Indebtedness.

 

“Indemnified Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.13.

 

“Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.13.

 

“Initial Closing Date” means the date upon which all the conditions precedent in Section 4.02 have been satisfied or waived with respect to the initial Borrowing of Loans hereunder and such initial Borrowing of Loans occurs.

 

“Interest Period” means, for each Eurodollar Rate Loan, (a) initially, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or Continued as, or Converted into, such Eurodollar Rate Loan and (b) thereafter, the period commencing on the last day of the preceding Interest Period, and ending, in each case, on the earlier of (i) the scheduled maturity date of such Loan, or (ii) one, two, three, six or, if agreed to by each Lender, 12 months or periods less than one month, thereafter; provided that:

 

(i)       any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

 

(ii)       any Interest Period which begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

 

(iii)       unless Administrative Agent otherwise consents, there may not be more than ten (10) Interest Periods for Eurodollar Rate Loans in effect at any time.

 

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.25(b).

 

 

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“Laws” or “Law” means all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including, if consistent therewith, the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof.

 

“Lender” means each lender from time to time party hereto and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, their respective successors and assigns (but not any purchaser of a participation hereunder unless otherwise a party to this Agreement).

 

“Lender Party” means any Agent or any Lender.

 

“Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such on its Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as such Lender may from time to time notify Administrative Agent and Borrower.

 

“Leverage Ratio” means, at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Indebtedness as of such date minus up to $1,000,000,000 of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on or as of such date to (b) Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis; provided that, at any time after (x) in connection with the Target Acquisition or with respect to any acquisition that is a Material Acquisition in accordance with clause (ii) of the definition thereof to which the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (or any comparable laws, rules or regulations in any other jurisdiction) applies, the date on which (i) the Rule 2.7 Announcement is issued in connection with the Target Acquisition or (ii) a “Rule 2.7 announcement” of a firm intention to make an offer in respect of a target of such Material Acquisition (or the equivalent notice under such comparable laws, rules or regulations in such other jurisdiction) is issued or (y) in connection with any acquisition that is a Material Acquisition in accordance with clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the date a definitive agreement for such Material Acquisition shall have been executed (or, in the case of a Material Acquisition in the form of a tender offer or similar transaction, after the offer shall have been launched) and prior to the consummation of such Material Acquisition (or termination of the definitive documentation in respect thereof (or such later date as such indebtedness ceases to constitute Acquisition Debt as set forth in the definition of “Acquisition Debt”)), any Acquisition Debt to the extent the proceeds of such Acquisition Debt are held in escrow or held on the balance sheet of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, so long as, in the good faith determination of Borrower, such Unrestricted Subsidiary is expected to become a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the consummation of such Material Acquisition) shall be excluded from the determination of the Leverage Ratio.

 

“LIBOR” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Eurodollar Rate.

 

“LIBOR Screen Rate” means, the LIBOR quote on the applicable screen page the Administrative Agent designates to determine LIBOR (or such other comparable commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time).

 

“LIBOR Successor Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03(b).

 

“LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any proposed LIBOR Successor Rate, any conforming changes to the definitions of “Base Rate” and “Interest Period”, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other administrative matters as may be appropriate, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent (in consultation with the Borrower), to reflect the adoption of such LIBOR Successor Rate and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the

 

 

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Administrative Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such LIBOR Successor Rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent determines in consultation with the Borrower).

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease or Sale-Leaseback Transaction having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the filing of any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or comparable Laws of any jurisdiction), including the interest of a purchaser of accounts receivable; provided that Liens shall not include ordinary and customary contractual set off rights.

 

“Loan” means any 3-Year Tranche Term Loan or any 5-Year Tranche Term Loan, as applicable.

 

“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement, each Note, each Request for Extension of Credit, each Compliance Certificate, each fee letter (including the Fee Letter) and each other instrument or agreement from time to time delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement.

 

“Loan Parties” means Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries that is a party to a Loan Document.

 

“Major Event of Default” means an Event of Default arising from any of the following with respect to Borrower and the Guarantors only (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, (a) in relation to any other Subsidiary of Borrower or the Target Group or (b) in respect of any obligation to procure any action by any other Subsidiary of Borrower or the Target Group):

 

(i)       any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a);

 

(ii)       any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(b);

 

(iii)      any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(c), but solely as it relates to the failure to perform or observe any of covenants set forth in Section 7.03 (Fundamental Changes);

 

(iv)      any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(d), but solely as it relates to the failure to perform or observe any of the covenants set forth in Section 6.04 (Preservation of Existence) but only insofar as it refers to “existence” therein, 6.11(a) and (c)(ii) (only) (Scheme and Offer), 7.01 (Liens), 7.05 (Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions) or 7.07 (Scheme and Offer);

 

(v)       any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(e), but solely as it relates to the inaccuracy of any representation or warranty set forth in Section 5.01 (Existence and Qualification; Compliance with Laws), 5.02 (Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations), 5.03(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) (No Legal Bar) (but only in respect of Section 5.03(iii) with respect to any Contractual Obligation that is Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred or issued by a Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than the Threshold Amount), 5.06 (Use of Proceeds) (solely with respect to the second sentence thereof) or 5.08 (Target Acquisition Documents);

 

 

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(vi)       any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(g); and

 

(vii)      any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(i) (but excluding, in relation to involuntary proceedings, any Event of Default caused by a frivolous or vexatious (and, in either case, lacking in merit) action, proceeding or petition in respect of which no order or decree in respect of such involuntary proceeding shall have been entered).

 

“Material Acquisition” means any Acquisition (the “Subject Acquisition”) (i) made at a time when the Leverage Ratio is in excess of 4.5 to 1.0 or (ii) that has an Annualized Acquisition Cash Flow Value (as defined below) for the period ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended that is greater than five percent (5%) of the Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for the same period. The “Annualized Acquisition Cash Flow Value” is an amount equal to (a) the Annualized EBITDA of the assets comprising the Subject Acquisition less (b) the Annualized EBITDA of any assets disposed of by Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) in connection with the Subject Acquisition.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means any set of circumstances or events which (a) has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon the validity or enforceability against Borrower or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary of any Loan Document or (b) has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower and Guarantors, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under any Loan Document.

 

“Material Debt” means Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred or issued by Borrower in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $500,000,000.

 

“Material Disposition” means any Disposition (the “Subject Disposition”) (i) made at a time when the Leverage Ratio is in excess of 4.5 to 1.0 or (ii) that has an Annualized Disposition Cash Flow Value (as defined below), for the period ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended that is greater than five percent (5%) of the Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for the same period. The “Annualized Disposition Cash Flow Value” is an amount equal to (a) the Annualized EBITDA of the assets comprising the Subject Disposition less (b) the Annualized EBITDA of any assets acquired by Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than from Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) in connection with the Subject Disposition.

 

“Materially Adverse Amendment” means a modification, amendment or waiver to or of the terms or conditions of any Target Acquisition Document that is, when compared to the terms and conditions that are included in the draft of the Rule 2.7 Announcement delivered pursuant to Section 4.01(c), materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders (taken as a whole), it being acknowledged that (a) a waiver of a pre-condition which then becomes a condition to be satisfied in connection with the Target Acquisition or an increase to the price of the Target Acquisition would not be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders (taken as a whole), and (b) any modification, amendment or waiver required by the Takeover Code, the Panel, any other competent regulatory body or by a court of competent jurisdiction shall not be a Materially Adverse Amendment.

 

“Maturity Date” means (a) with respect to the 3-Year Tranche Term Loans, the third anniversary of the Initial Closing Date and (b) with respect to the 5-Year Tranche Term Loans, the fifth anniversary of the Initial Closing Date.

 

 

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“Minimum Amount” means, with respect to each of the following actions, the minimum amount and any multiples in excess thereof set forth opposite such action:

 

Type of Action Minimum Amount Multiples in excess thereof
Borrowing or prepayment of, or Conversion into, Base Rate Loans

£10,000,000 or $15,000,000, as applicable

 

£1,000,000 or $1,500,000, as applicable

 

Borrowing, prepayment or Continuation of, or Conversion into, Eurodollar Rate Loans

£10,000,000 or $15,000,000, as applicable

 

£1,000,000 or $1,500,000, as applicable
Reduction of Commitments £15,000,000 or $20,000,000, as applicable £2,500,000 or $3,000,000, as applicable
Assignments £15,000,000 or $20,000,000, as applicable None

 

“MLPFS” means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or its successor, or if it is dissolved or liquidated or no longer performs the functions of a securities rating agency, such other nationally recognized securities rating agency agreed upon by Borrower and Administrative Agent and approved by Required Lenders.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

“NBCU” means NBCUniversal Media, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Non-Excluded Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

 

“Notes” means the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing Loans.

 

“Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, and payment obligations of, Borrower arising under any Loan Document, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest that accrues after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws by or against Borrower.

 

“Offer” means a public offer by, or made on behalf of, Borrower in accordance with the Takeover Code and the provisions of the Companies Act for Borrower (or a Subsidiary thereof, including Bidco) to acquire all of the shares of the Target not owned, held or agreed to be acquired by Borrower (or a Subsidiary thereof, including Bidco).

 

“Offer Documents” means (a) any Offer Press Release, (b) any document published in accordance with the Takeover Code pursuant to which an Offer is made to the shareholders of the Target (including, without limitation, any revision to an Offer and any alternative Offer) and (c) any other document designated in writing as such by Borrower and Administrative Agent.

 

 

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“Offer Press Release” means a press release announcing, in compliance with Rule 2.7, a firm intention to make an Offer or, as the case may be, a switch to an Offer in accordance with Section 8 of Appendix 7 to the Takeover Code.

 

“Other Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b).

 

“Outstanding Obligations” means, as of any date, and giving effect to making any Extension of Credit requested on such date and all payments, repayments and prepayments made on such date, (a) when reference is made to all Lenders, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans and (b) when reference is made to one Lender, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans made by such Lender.

 

“Panel” means The Panel on Takeovers and Mergers established in 1968 and designated as the supervisory authority in the United Kingdom to carry out certain regulatory functions in relation to takeovers pursuant to the EU Directive on Takeover Bids (2004/25/EC).

 

“Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.04(d).

 

“PATRIOT Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.24.

 

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto established under ERISA.

 

“Permanent Financing” means the issuance of debt securities by Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof, through a public offering or in a private placement, the proceeds of which are used (in whole or in part) to consummate the Target Acquisition or to replace or refinance some or all of the Bridge Loans.

 

“Person” means any individual, trustee, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, bank, business association, firm, joint venture or Governmental Authority.

 

“Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or to which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer plan (as described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA) has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five plan years.

 

“Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.

 

“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

 

“Public Lenders” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02.

 

“Reference Statements” means (a) the audited consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most recent fiscal year ended prior to the Effective Date as to which such financial statements are available and (b) the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each quarterly period, if any, ended subsequent to the date of the

 

 

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financial statements referenced in clause (a) above and prior to the Effective Date as to which such financial statements are available.

 

“Refund Repayment Requirement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(f).

 

“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(b).

 

“Request for Extension of Credit” means, unless otherwise specified herein, with respect to a Borrowing, Conversion or Continuation of Loans, a written request substantially in the form of Exhibit B or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

“Required 3-Year Dollar Tranche Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders (excluding any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, until all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender have been remedied) holding more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the 3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans outstanding at such time.

 

“Required 3-Year Sterling Tranche Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders (excluding any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, until all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender have been remedied) holding more than 50% of the sum of (x) the unused 3-Year Tranche Term Commitments at such time and (y) the aggregate principal amount of the 3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans outstanding at such time.

 

“Required 3-Year Tranche Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders (excluding any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, until all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender have been remedied) holding more than 50% of the sum of (x) the unused 3-Year Tranche Term Commitments at such time and (y) the aggregate principal amount of the 3-Year Tranche Term Loans outstanding at such time.

 

“Required 5-Year Dollar Tranche Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders (excluding any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, until all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender have been remedied) holding more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans outstanding at such time.

 

“Required 5-Year Sterling Tranche Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders (excluding any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, until all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender have been remedied) holding more than 50% of the sum of (x) the unused 5-Year Tranche Term Commitments at such time and (y) the aggregate principal amount of the 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans outstanding at such time.

 

“Required 5-Year Tranche Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders (excluding any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, until all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender have been remedied) holding more than 50% of the sum of (a) the unused 5-Year Tranche Term Commitments at such time and (b) the aggregate principal amount of the 5-Year Tranche Term Loans outstanding at such time.

 

“Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders (excluding any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, until all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender have been remedied) holding more than 50% of the sum of (x) the unused Commitments at such time and (y) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans outstanding at such time.

 

 

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“Requisite Notice” means a notice delivered in accordance with Section 10.02.

 

“Requisite Time” means, with respect to any of the actions listed below, the time and date set forth below opposite such action:

 

Type of Action Applicable Time Date of Action
Delivery of Request for Extension of Credit for, or notice for, or determination of any LIBOR Screen Rate related to:    
Borrowing of Base Rate Loans 11:00 a.m. One Business Day prior to such Loans Borrowing
Prepayment of Base Rate Loans 11:00 a.m. Same Business Day as such Loans prepayment
Conversion into Base Rate Loans 11:00 a.m. Same day as such Conversion
Borrowing, prepayment or Continuation of, or Conversion into, Eurodollar Rate Loans denominated in Dollars 11:00 a.m.

3 Business Days prior to such prepayment, Borrowing, Continuation or Conversion

 

Determination of a LIBOR Screen Rate at 11:00 a.m. (London Time) 2 Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing, Continuation or Conversion

 

Borrowing, prepayment or Continuation of, or Conversion into, Eurodollar Rate Loans denominated in Sterling 10:00 a.m.

3 Business Days prior to such prepayment, Borrowing, Continuation or Conversion

 

Determination of a LIBOR Screen Rate 11:00 a.m. (London Time) on the first Business Day of such requested Borrowing, Continuation or Conversion

 

Voluntary reduction in or termination of Commitments 11:00 a.m.   3 Business Days prior to such reduction or termination
Payments by Lenders or Borrower to Administrative Agent (other than Payments by Lenders to Administrative Agent of Base Rate Loans) 1:00 p.m. On the date payment is due
Payments by Lenders to Administrative Agent of Base Rate Loans 2.00 p.m. On the date payment is due

 

“Responsible Officer” means, as to any Person, the president, any vice president, the controller, the chief financial officer, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer of such Person and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Section 2, any other officer of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer of the applicable Loan Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Loan Party

 

 

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and the Administrative Agent. Any document or certificate hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a particular Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

 

“Restricted Group” means, collectively, Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

“Restricted Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary of Borrower that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Revolving Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of May 26, 2016, by and among Comcast Corporation, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent, and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC (acting through Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and MUFG Bank, Ltd. (f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.), Wells Fargo and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as co-documentation agents (as it may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time).

 

“Rule 2.7” means Rule 2.7 of the Takeover Code.

 

“Rule 2.7 Announcement” means (in relation to a Scheme) a Scheme Press Release or (in relation to an Offer) an Offer Press Release.

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of S&P Global, Inc., or its successor, or if it is dissolved or liquidated or no longer performs the functions of a securities rating agency, such other nationally recognized securities rating agency agreed upon by Borrower and Administrative Agent and approved by Required Lenders.

 

“Sale-Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement whereby Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred.

 

“Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State, (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

 

“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

 

“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom (b) any Person located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country (except any U.S. Person with a location in a Sanctioned Country pursuant to an OFAC license), or (c) any Person owned fifty percent or more or Controlled by any Person or Persons described in clause (a) or (b).

 

“Scheduled Unavailability Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03(b).

 

 

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“Scheme” means a scheme of arrangement made pursuant to Part 26 of the Companies Act between the Target and the holders of the Target shares in relation to the transfer of the entire issued share capital of the Target to Bidco (or another Subsidiary of Borrower) as contemplated by a Scheme Circular (as such Scheme Circular may be amended in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) as such Scheme may from time to time be amended, added to, revised, renewed or waived in accordance with this Agreement.

 

“Scheme Circular” means any circular to the shareholders of the Target to be issued by the Target setting out the proposals for any Scheme.

 

“Scheme Documents” means (a) any Scheme Press Release, (b) the Scheme Circular (if any) and (c) any other document designated in writing as such by Borrower and Administrative Agent.

 

“Scheme Effective Date” means the date on which a copy of the High Court order sanctioning a Scheme is duly filed on behalf of the Target with the Registrar of Companies in accordance with section 899 of the Companies Act.

 

“Scheme Press Release” means a press release to be issued by or on behalf of Borrower or the Target announcing, in compliance with Rule 2.7, a firm intention to make an offer which is to be implemented by means of a Scheme or, as the case may be, a switch to a Scheme in accordance with Section 8 of Appendix 7 of the Takeover Code.

 

“Significant Subsidiary” means (i) for so long as each shall remain a Guarantor hereunder, Comcast Cable and NBCU and (ii) any other Restricted Subsidiary whose Annualized EBITDA was greater than 5% of the Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for the period of two fiscal quarters ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended, or whose assets comprised more than 5% of the total assets of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended.

 

“Sterling” and “£” means lawful money of the United Kingdom.

 

“Sterling Amount” means, at any time, for any amount, (i) if denominated in Sterling, the amount thereof and (ii) if denominated in Dollars, the amount thereof converted to Sterling in accordance with Section 1.09.

 

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Borrower.

 

“Syndication Agent” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereto.

 

“Takeover Code” means the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (as amended) issued by the Panel.

 

“Target” means Sky plc, incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 02247735.

 

 

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“Target Acquisition” means the acquisition by Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries (which may include Bidco) of at least a majority of the share capital of the Target. For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Acquisition may, at Borrower’s election, involve acquisition of greater than a majority of the share capital of the Target and may be consummated in several stages.

 

“Target Acquisition Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G, properly completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower.

 

“Target Acquisition Documents” means any Rule 2.7 Announcement, any Offer Documents, any Scheme Documents and any other document designated in writing by Borrower and Administrative Agent as a “Target Acquisition Document” from time to time.

 

“Target Group” means the Target and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Term Loan Facility” means the Commitments and the Extensions of Credit made hereunder.

 

“Threshold Amount” means $500,000,000.

 

“Transaction Costs” means all fees, costs and expenses incurred or payable by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions.

 

“Transactions” means, collectively, (a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) to which it is to be a party and any Borrowings hereunder (at any time), (b) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents (as defined in the Bridge Credit Agreement) to which it is to be a party and the borrowing of the Loans (as defined in the Bridge Credit Agreement) on the Initial Closing Date or at any time thereafter, (c) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of any amendments or modifications to the Revolving Credit Agreement undertaken in connection with the Target Acquisition and any other documents executed in connection with any such amendments or modifications, (d) any Permanent Financing transaction and/or the incurrence of any other interim financing for the Target Acquisition and any refinancing thereof, (e) the consummation of the Target Acquisition (including any acquisition of Target shares after the Initial Closing Date) and (f) the payment of the Transaction Costs.

 

“type” of Loan means, as to any Loan, its nature as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

 

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Borrower designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” from time to time in accordance with Section 6.08. Until so designated, each Subsidiary of Borrower shall be a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.20(a).

 

“Wells Fargo” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

 

“WFS” means Wells Fargo Securities LLC.

 

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

 

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1.02       Use of Certain Terms.

 

(a)       All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, unless otherwise defined therein.

 

(b)       As used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders and the singular and plural include one another.

 

(c)       The words “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document shall refer to the applicable Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof. The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation. References herein to a Section, subsection or clause shall, unless the context otherwise requires, refer to the appropriate Section, subsection or clause in this Agreement.

 

(d)       The term “or” is disjunctive; the term “and” is conjunctive. The term “shall” is mandatory; the term “may” is permissive.

 

1.03       Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined in this Agreement shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data required to be submitted by this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time in the United States; provided that if Borrower notifies Administrative Agent that Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision, then (a) regardless of whether such any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith and (b) Administrative Agent and Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to determine such adjustments and amendments to the applicable terms and definitions as to make them consistent with the intent hereof, and promptly upon Borrower and Administrative Agent reaching such agreement, Administrative Agent shall notify Lenders of such adjustments and amendments, which shall be conclusive and effective as amendments hereunder, unless Required Lenders object to such adjustments within 30 days of receipt of notice.

 

Each Compliance Certificate shall be prepared in accordance with this Section 1.03, except for the exclusion of Unrestricted Subsidiaries from the calculations therein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, references herein to “Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis” shall be deemed to refer to Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries without taking into account the results or financial position of any Unrestricted Subsidiary and without taking into account any interest of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Unrestricted Subsidiary. Without limiting the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any provision of this Agreement and any related definitions, the determination of whether a lease is to be treated as an operating lease or capital lease shall be made without giving effect to any change in GAAP that becomes effective on or after the date hereof that would require operating leases to be treated similarly to capital leases, including as a result of the implementation of proposed ASU Topic 840, or any successor or similar proposal. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein.

 

 

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1.04       Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed in this Agreement and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a round-up if there is no nearest number) to the number of places by which such ratio is expressed in this Agreement.

 

1.05       Exhibits and Schedules. All exhibits and schedules to this Agreement, either as originally existing or as the same may from time to time be supplemented, modified or amended, are incorporated herein by this reference. A matter disclosed on any Schedule shall be deemed disclosed on all Schedules.

 

1.06       References to Agreements and Laws. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall include all amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto (unless prohibited by any Loan Document), and (b) references to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.

 

1.07       Pro Forma Calculations. For the purposes of calculating Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for any period (a “Test Period”), (i) if at any time from the period commencing on the first day of such Test Period and ending on the last day of such Test Period (or, in the case of any pro forma calculation required to be made pursuant hereto in respect of the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is a Material Disposition or the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Material Acquisition, ending on the date such Material Disposition or Material Acquisition is consummated after giving effect thereto), Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Material Disposition, the Annualized EBITDA for such Test Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Annualized EBITDA (if positive) for such Test Period attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Material Disposition or increased by an amount equal to the Annualized EBITDA (if negative) for such Test Period attributable to such assets; (ii) if during such Test Period Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made a Material Acquisition, Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for such Test Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the incurrence or assumption of any Indebtedness in connection therewith) as if such Material Acquisition (and the incurrence or assumption of any such Indebtedness) occurred on the first day of such Test Period; and (iii) if during such Test Period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such Test Period shall have entered into any Material Disposition or Material Acquisition that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above if made by Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary during such Test Period, Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for such Test Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Material Disposition or Material Acquisition occurred on the first day of such Test Period. For the purposes of this section, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a Material Disposition or Material Acquisition and the amount of income or earnings related thereto, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of Borrower. Comparable adjustments shall be made in connection with any determination of Annualized EBITDA.

 

1.08       Rates. The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “Eurodollar Rate” or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any liability arising out of the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Administrative Agent.

 

 

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1.09       Currency Equivalents. In connection with a Borrowing of Loans denominated in Dollars pursuant to the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall determine the Sterling Amount of such requested Borrowing based on the Exchange Rate on or about the date of the related notice requesting such Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2

THE COMMITMENTS AND EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT

 

2.01       Amount and Terms of Commitments.

 

(a)       Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, during the Certain Funds Period, each Lender with a 3-Year Tranche Term Commitment severally agrees to make, Convert and Continue loans in Sterling (each such loan, a “3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loan”) or, if requested by Borrower, in Dollars (each such loan, a “3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loan”) in such amounts and currency as Borrower may from time to time request; provided, however, that (i) the Sterling Amount of the 3-Year Tranche Term Loans to be made by any Lender at any time shall not exceed such Lender’s 3-Year Tranche Term Commitment at such time and (ii) to the extent that any of the three (3) draws permitted pursuant to Section 2.01(c) include different currencies, the 3-Year Term Loans shall be subdivided into separate tranches. 3-Year Tranche Term Loans borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.01(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Upon (i) the making of any 3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loan by a Lender, such Lender’s 3-Year Tranche Term Commitment shall be permanently reduced by the Sterling Amount of such 3-Year Tranche Term Loan and (ii) the making of any 3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loan by a Lender, such Lender’s 3-Year Tranche Term Commitment shall be permanently reduced by the Sterling Amount (which shall be determined based on the applicable Exchange Rate as of the date of the delivery of the Request for Extension of Credit under Section 2.02(a)) of such 3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loan.

 

(b)       Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, during the Certain Funds Period, each Lender with a 5-Year Tranche Term Commitment severally agrees to make, Convert and Continue loans in Sterling (each such loan, a “5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loan”) or, if requested by Borrower, in Dollars (each such loan, a “5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loan”) in such amounts as Borrower may from time to time request; provided, however, that (i) the Sterling Amount of the 5-Year Tranche Term Loans to be made by any Lender at any time shall not exceed such Lender’s 5-Year Tranche Term Commitment at such time and (ii) to the extent that any of the three (3) draws permitted pursuant to Section 2.01(c) include different currencies, the 5-Year Term Loans shall be subdivided into separate tranches. 5-Year Tranche Term Loans borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.01(b) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Upon (i) the making of any 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loan by a Lender, such Lender’s 5-Year Tranche Term Commitment shall be permanently reduced by the Sterling Amount of such 5-Year Tranche Term Loan and (ii) the making of any 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loan by a Lender, such Lender’s 5-Year Tranche Term Commitment shall be permanently reduced by the Sterling Amount (which shall be determined based on the applicable Exchange Rate as of the date of the delivery of the Request for Extension of Credit under Section 2.02(a)) of such 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loan.

 

(c)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Loans hereunder shall be available to be drawn on no more than three occasions (in the aggregate) during the Certain Funds Period; provided that borrowings of 3-Year Tranche Term Loans and 5-Year Tranche Term Loans funded in connection with one Request for Extension of Credit shall be deemed to constitute one drawing for purposes of this Section 2.01(c); provided, further that in the event that any Lender shall have failed to make any Loan of a Class required to be made by it under Section 2.01, and the Borrower shall request an

 

 

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additional borrowing of Loans of such same Class, the Borrower shall not be deemed to have requested an additional Borrowing. With respect to any such Borrowing, Borrower may select from which Class or Classes of Commitments such Loans are to be made.

 

2.02       Procedure for Borrowings.

 

(a)       Borrower may request a Borrowing of Loans in a Minimum Amount therefor by (A) telephone, or (B) delivering a Request for Extension of Credit therefor by Requisite Notice to Administrative Agent not later than the Requisite Time therefor; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Request for Extension of Credit. All Borrowings denominated in Dollars shall constitute Eurodollar Rate Loans with an Interest Period of one month unless properly and timely otherwise designated as set forth in the prior sentence. All Borrowings denominated in Sterling shall constitute Eurodollar Rate Loans. Requests for Borrowings may be made contingent on the closing of the Target Acquisition (or a portion of the Target Acquisition).

 

(b)       Following receipt of a Request for Extension of Credit, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender by Requisite Notice of its Applicable Percentage thereof. Each Lender (subject to clause (d) below) shall make the funds for its Loan available to Administrative Agent in the requested currency at Administrative Agent’s Office not later than the Requisite Time therefor on the Business Day specified in such Request for Extension of Credit. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02, all funds so received shall be made available to Borrower in like funds received.

 

(c)       The failure of any Lender to make any Loan on any date shall not relieve any other Lender of any obligation to make a Loan on such date, but the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan. Borrower shall have the right to replace any Lender which fails to make a Loan when obligated to do so in accordance with Section 10.21.

 

(d)       Each Lender may, at its option, make any Loan available to Borrower by causing any foreign or domestic branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, further that, for the avoidance of doubt, Borrower shall not be required to pay a greater amount under the increased costs provisions (including yield protection and taxes) of Section 3 hereof than it would have paid in the absence of the exercise of such option.

 

2.03       [Reserved].

 

2.04       [Reserved].

 

2.05       Reduction or Termination of Commitments.

 

(a)       Upon Requisite Notice to Administrative Agent not later than the Requisite Time therefor, Borrower may at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty, permanently and irrevocably reduce or terminate any of the Commitments. Any such Requisite Notice may state that such Requisite Notice is conditioned on the effectiveness of other credit facilities or other financing transactions, in which case such Requisite Notice may be revoked by Borrower (by written notice to Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective time) if such condition is not satisfied. Any such reduction or termination shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued and unpaid commitment fees with respect to the portion of the Commitments being reduced or terminated.

 

 

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Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Lenders of any such request for reduction or termination of the Commitments. Each Lender’s Commitment in respect of a Class shall be reduced pro rata by the amount of such reduction with respect to such Class.

 

(b)       Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall permanently terminate in full at 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the Certain Funds Termination Date (after giving effect to any Borrowings made or to be made on the Certain Funds Termination Date).

 

2.06       Prepayments and Repayments of Loans.

 

(a)       Upon Requisite Notice to Administrative Agent not later than the Requisite Time therefor, Borrower may at any time and from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans made to it in part in the Minimum Amount therefor or in full without premium or penalty. Administrative Agent will promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof and of such Lender’s percentage of such prepayment. Any such Requisite Notice may state that such Requisite Notice is conditioned on the consummation of any portion of the Target Acquisition or any other transaction, including the establishment of other credit facilities or the consummation of any other financing transactions, in which case such Requisite Notice may be revoked by Borrower (by written notice to Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective time) if such condition is not satisfied. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with the costs set forth in Section 3.05. Each prepayment of Loans shall be applied to the Class or Classes of Loans specified by Borrower in the applicable Requisite Notice, and each prepayment of Term Loans of any Class or Classes shall be applied against payments otherwise required under Section 2.06(b) (if any) in direct order of maturity (unless otherwise directed by Borrower).

 

(b)       Borrower shall repay to Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender of 5-Year Tranche Term Loans, 5-Year Tranche Term Loans in an amount equal to (i) 8.0% (payable in equal quarterly installments in arrears) of the aggregate principal amount of the 5-Year Tranche Term Loans made during the Certain Funds Period on each Applicable Payment Date occurring after the third anniversary of the Initial Closing Date and on or prior to the fourth anniversary of the Initial Closing Date and (ii) 12.0% (payable in equal quarterly installments in arrears) of the aggregate principal amount of the 5-Year Tranche Term Loans made during the Certain Funds Period on each Applicable Payment Date occurring after the fourth anniversary of the Initial Closing Date and prior to the Maturity Date (which amounts, in each case, shall be reduced as a result of the application of optional prepayments made pursuant to Section 2.06(a)). For the avoidance of doubt, no amortization payments shall be required in respect of any 3-Year Tranche Term Loans.

 

(c)       Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent for the ratable account of each Lender of the applicable Class, on the Maturity Date applicable to the Loans of such Class, the aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Class then outstanding.

 

(d)       Each repayment of 5-Year Tranche Term Loans by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.06 shall be applied to the 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans and the 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans on a pro rata basis; provided that (i) the amount of each quarterly installment due on the aggregate principal amount of the 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans shall be calculated on the aggregate amount of 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans made during the Certain Funds Period and (ii) the amount of each quarterly installment due on the aggregate principal amount of the 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans shall be calculated on the aggregate amount of 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans made during the Certain Funds Period.

 

 

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(e)       Each prepayment and repayment of Loans by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.06 shall be made in the same currency in which such Loans were made.

 

2.07       Documentation of Loans.

 

(a)       Upon the request of any Lender made through Administrative Agent, a Lender’s Loans may be evidenced by one or more Notes of Borrower, instead of or in addition to its loan accounts or records. Each such Lender may attach schedules to its Notes and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto. Any failure so to record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of Borrower to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations.

 

(b)       Administrative Agent shall maintain, at Administrative Agent’s Office, a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of Lenders and the Commitments and Extensions of Credit of each Lender from time to time (the “Register”). The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register, acting, solely for this administrative purpose only, as a non-fiduciary agent for Borrower (it being acknowledged and agreed that Administrative Agent and each Administrative Agent-Related Person, in such capacity, shall constitute Indemnitees under Section 10.13).

 

(c)       Administrative Agent shall record in the Register the Commitment and Loans from time to time of each Lender, and each repayment or prepayment in respect thereof. Any recordation shall be conclusive and binding on Borrower and each Lender, absent manifest error.

 

(d)       Each Lender shall record on its internal loan accounts or records (and may record on the Note(s) held by such Lender) the amount of each Loan made by it and each payment in respect thereof; provided that the failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect any Lender’s Commitment or Outstanding Obligations; and provided, further, that in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any Lender’s records, the recordations in the Register shall govern, absent manifest error.

 

(e)       Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall deem and treat the Persons listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders of the corresponding Commitments and Extensions of Credit listed therein for all purposes hereof, and no assignment or transfer of any such Commitment or Extensions of Credit shall be effective, in each case, unless and until an Assignment and Assumption effecting the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been accepted by Administrative Agent and recorded in the Register. Prior to such recordation, all amounts owed with respect to the applicable Commitment or Outstanding Obligations shall be owed to the Lender listed in the Register as the owner thereof, and any request, authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is listed in the Register as a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, assignee or transferee of the corresponding Commitments or Outstanding Obligations.

 

2.08       Continuation and Conversion Option.

 

(a)       Borrower may irrevocably request a Conversion or Continuation of Loans on any Business Day in a Minimum Amount therefor by delivering a Request for Extension of Credit therefor by Requisite Notice to Administrative Agent not later than the Requisite Time therefor. All Conversions and Continuations of Loans denominated in Dollars shall constitute Eurodollar Rate

 

 

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Loans with an Interest Period of one month unless properly and timely otherwise designated as set forth in the prior sentence.

 

(b)       Unless Borrower pays all amounts due under Section 3.05, if any, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be Continued or Converted only on the last day of the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan. During the existence of an Event of Default, Administrative Agent may (and upon the request of the Required Lenders shall) prohibit Dollar-denominated Loans from being requested as, Converted into, or Continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans, and Required Lenders may demand that any or all of the then outstanding Dollar-denominated Eurodollar Rate Loans be Converted immediately into Base Rate Loans.

 

(c)       Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Borrower and Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Eurodollar Rate Loan upon determination of the same. Administrative Agent shall from time to time notify Borrower and Lenders of any change in Bank of America’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

 

2.09       Interest.

 

(a)       Subject to subsection (b) below, and unless otherwise specified herein, Borrower hereby promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan made to it (before and after default, before and after maturity, before and after judgment and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws) from the date borrowed until paid in full (whether by acceleration or otherwise) on each Applicable Payment Date at a rate per annum equal to:

 

(i)        in the case of Base Rate Loans, the Base Rate plus the Applicable Amount for such type of Loan; and

 

(ii)        in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, the Eurodollar Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Amount for such type of Loan.

 

(b)       If any amount payable by Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), Borrower hereby promises to pay interest (after as well as before entry of judgment thereon to the extent permitted by law) on such amount at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law. Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be payable upon demand.

 

(c)       On any Business Day, Borrower may call Administrative Agent and request information as to the then current Eurodollar Rate or Base Rate, and Administrative Agent shall provide such information.

 

2.10       Fees.

 

(a)       Commitment Fee. Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender pro rata according to its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee equal to the Applicable Amount times the average daily amount of such Lender’s Commitment then outstanding, subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 2.14(a). The commitment fee shall accrue at all times from and including the date that is 45 days after the Effective Date until (and shall be due and payable on) the earlier of (x) with respect to any Commitments, the date on which such Commitments have terminated, including pursuant to any Borrowing or otherwise in accordance with Section 2.05 and (y) the Certain

 

 

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Funds Termination Date. The commitment fee shall accrue at all applicable times, including at any time during which one or more conditions in Section 4 are not met.

 

(b)       Other Fees. Borrower agrees to pay to Administrative Agent and the other parties hereto (and their respective Affiliates) the fees in the amounts and on the dates previously agreed to in writing by Borrower and such parties (or their respective Affiliates).

 

2.11       Computation of Interest and Fees. Computation of interest on Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by Bank of America’s “prime rate” shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and the actual number of days elapsed. Computation of all other types of interest and all fees shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days or, in the case of any amounts denominated in Sterling, 365 days and the actual number of days elapsed. Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one day.

 

2.12       Making Payments.

 

(a)       Except as otherwise provided herein, all payments by Borrower or any Lender hereunder shall be made to Administrative Agent at Administrative Agent’s Office not later than the Requisite Time for such type of payment. All payments received after such Requisite Time shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of the calculation of interest and fees, but not for purposes of determining whether a Default has occurred. All payments of principal and interest shall be made in immediately available funds in Sterling (with respect to Loans denominated in Sterling) or Dollars (with respect to Loans denominated in Dollars). All fees due hereunder (excluding fees pursuant to Section 2.10(a)) shall be payable in Dollars. All fees due pursuant to Section 2.10(a) shall be payable in Sterling. All payments by Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.

 

(b)       Upon satisfaction of any applicable terms and conditions set forth herein, Administrative Agent shall promptly make any amounts received in accordance with Section 2.12(a) available in like funds received as follows: (i) if payable to Borrower, by crediting a deposit account designated from time to time by Borrower to Administrative Agent by Requisite Notice, and (ii) if payable to any Lender, by wire transfer to such Lender at its Lending Office. If such conditions are not so satisfied, Administrative Agent shall return any funds it is holding to the Lenders making such funds available, without interest.

 

(c)       Subject to the definition of “Interest Period,” if any payment to be made by Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall instead be considered due on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest and fees.

 

(d)       Subject to Section 4.04, unless Borrower or any Lender has notified Administrative Agent, prior to the Requisite Time any payment to be made by it is due, that it does not intend to remit such payment, Administrative Agent may, in its sole and absolute discretion, assume that Borrower or such Lender, as the case may be, has timely remitted such payment and may, in its sole and absolute discretion and in reliance thereon, make such payment available to the Person entitled thereto. If such payment was not in fact remitted to Administrative Agent in immediately available funds, then:

 

 

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(i) If Borrower failed to make such payment, each Lender shall forthwith on demand repay to Administrative Agent the amount of such assumed payment made available to such Lender, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such amount was made available by Administrative Agent to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to Administrative Agent at the Federal Funds Rate; and

 

(ii) If any Lender failed to make such payment, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount upon Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, Administrative Agent promptly shall notify Borrower, and Borrower shall pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent following the Certain Funds Termination Date. Administrative Agent also shall be entitled to recover interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by Administrative Agent to Borrower to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by Administrative Agent, (A) from such Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate, and (B) from Borrower, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable to such Borrowing. Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitment or to prejudice any rights which Administrative Agent or Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

 

(e)       If Administrative Agent or any Lender is required at any time to return to Borrower, or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or any official under any proceeding under Debtor Relief Laws, any portion of a payment made by Borrower, each Lender shall, on demand of Administrative Agent, return its share of the amount to be returned, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate.

 

2.13       Funding Sources. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

 

2.14       Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)       Fees set forth in Section 2.10(a) shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender;

 

(b)       To the extent permitted by applicable Law, any voluntary prepayment of Loans shall, if Borrower so directs at the time of making such voluntary prepayment, be applied to the Loans of other Lenders as if such Defaulting Lender had no Loans outstanding and the Aggregate Exposure of such Defaulting Lender in respect of its Commitment were zero; and

 

(c)       The Aggregate Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders or Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or modification pursuant to Section 10.01); provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender which affects such Defaulting Lender differently than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender and in any event, no such amendment, modification, or waiver shall increase the Commitments or the principal amount of any Loans of such Defaulting Lender, extend the

 

 

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maturity date applicable thereto or decrease the rate of interest (including any commitment fees) payable in respect thereof without the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

 

SECTION 3

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

 

3.01       Taxes.

 

(a)       To the extent permitted by Law, any and all payments by or on account of Borrower to or for the account of any Lender Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for or on account of any and all present or future income, stamp or other taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed and all interest, additions to tax, or penalties with respect thereto, excluding, (w) in the case of a Lender Party, taxes imposed on or measured by its net income, and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes) imposed on it, (I) by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the Laws of which the Lender Party is organized or maintains a Lending Office, or (II) by reason of any present or former connection between such Lender Party and the jurisdiction imposing such taxes, other than solely as a result of this Agreement or any Note or any transaction contemplated thereby, (x) with respect to each Lender Party, taxes imposed by reason of any present or former connection between such Lender Party and the jurisdiction imposing such taxes, other than solely as a result of this Agreement or any Note or any transaction contemplated hereby, (y) in the case of a Lender Party organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by Borrower under Section 3.06(b)), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Lender Party at the time such Lender Party becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Lender Party’s failure to comply with Section 10.20, except to the extent that such Lender Party (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to this Section and (z) withholding taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA (all non-excluded taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges, and liabilities imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document being hereinafter referred to as “Non-Excluded Taxes”). If Borrower or Administrative Agent shall be required by any Laws to deduct any Non-Excluded Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable under any Loan Document to any Lender Party, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section), such Lender Party receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) Borrower or Administrative Agent shall make such deductions or withholdings, (iii) Borrower or Administrative Agent shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Laws and (iv) with respect to all withholding taxes, within 30 days after the date of such payment by Borrower, Borrower shall furnish to Administrative Agent (who shall forward the same to such Lender Party) the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof.

 

(b)       In addition, Borrower agrees to pay, or at the option of Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any and all present or future stamp, court, documentary, intangible, recording, filing or other similar taxes, charges or levies which arise from any payment made by it under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document except any such taxes that are imposed with respect to an assignment by the Lender (hereinafter referred to as “Other Taxes”).

 

 

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(c)       Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender Party for the full amount of Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes (including any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section) paid by such Lender Party with respect to any Loan or Loan Document and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto; provided, however, that Borrower shall not be obligated to indemnify such recipient pursuant to this Section 3.01 in respect of interest, penalties and other liabilities attributable to any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes, if such interest, penalties other liabilities are attributable to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Lender Party. After a Lender Party learns of the imposition of Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes, such Lender will act in good faith to promptly notify Borrower of its obligations hereunder. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent), or by Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)       Indemnification by Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that Borrower has not already indemnified Administrative Agent for such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes and without limiting the obligation of Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.04 relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any excluded Taxes described in Section 3.01(a) that are attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant taxation authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to Administrative Agent under this paragraph (d).

 

(e)       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3.01, all obligations of Borrower to any Lender under this Section 3.01 shall be subject to, and conditioned upon such Lender’s compliance with its obligations, if any, under Section 10.20.

 

(f)       If any Lender Party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund from a relevant taxing or governmental authority in respect of any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by Borrower or with respect to which Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01, it shall pay over such refund to Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by Borrower under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender Party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided, that in the event such Lender Party is required to repay any or all of such refund to such Governmental Authority (a “Refund Repayment Requirement”), Borrower, upon the request of such Lender Party, agrees to repay to such Lender Party the full amount of such Refund Repayment Requirement (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority). This subsection shall not be construed to require any Lender Party to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to Borrower or any other Person.

 

3.02       Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Laws have made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending

 

 

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Office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Rate Loans, or materially restricts the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the applicable offshore interbank market, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to Borrower through Administrative Agent, the obligation of such Lender to make Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies Administrative Agent and Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent), prepay or Convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender, either on the last day of the Interest Period thereof, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans. Each Lender agrees to designate a different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender.

 

3.03       Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rates.

 

(a)       If, in connection with any Request for Extension of Credit involving any Eurodollar Rate Loan, (a) Administrative Agent determines that (i) deposits in Dollars are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore dollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of the requested Eurodollar Rate Loan or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the underlying interest rate for such Eurodollar Rate Loan, or (b) Required Lenders determine that such underlying interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to Lenders of funding such Eurodollar Rate Loan, Administrative Agent will promptly notify Borrower and all Lenders. Thereafter, the obligation of Lenders to make or maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be suspended until Administrative Agent revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans or, failing that, be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

 

(b)       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or the Borrower or Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Lenders, a copy to Borrower) that the Borrower or Required Lenders (as applicable) have determined, that:

 

(i) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR for any requested Interest Period, including, without limitation, because the LIBOR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or

 

(ii) the administrator of the LIBOR Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR or the LIBOR Screen Rate shall no longer be made available, or used for determining the interest rate of loans (such specific date, the “Scheduled Unavailability Date”), or

 

(iii) syndicated loans currently being executed, or that include language similar to that contained in this Section, are being executed or amended (as applicable) to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace LIBOR,

 

then, reasonably promptly after such determination by the Administrative Agent or receipt by the Administrative Agent of such notice, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may

 

 

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amend this Agreement to replace LIBOR with an alternate benchmark rate reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (including any mathematical or other adjustments to the benchmark (if any) incorporated therein), giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar syndicated credit facilities for such alternative benchmarks (any such proposed rate, a “LIBOR Successor Rate”), together with any proposed LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes and any such amendment shall become effective at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth Business Day after the Administrative Agent shall have posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Borrower unless, prior to such time, Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders do not accept such amendment.

 

If no LIBOR Successor Rate has been determined and the circumstances under clause (i) above exist or the Scheduled Unavailability Date has occurred (as applicable), the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended, (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) the Eurodollar Rate component shall no longer be utilized in determining the Base Rate. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans (subject to the foregoing clause (y)) in the amount specified therein.

 

Notwithstanding anything else herein, any definition of LIBOR Successor Rate shall provide that in no event shall such LIBOR Successor Rate be less than zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

3.04       Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy.

 

(a)       If any Lender Party determines that the adoption of any Law or any change in any Law or in the interpretation thereof effective after the date hereof:

 

(i) Subjects such Lender Party to any tax (excluding taxes described in clauses (w), (y) and (z) of Section 3.01(a), Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans or its obligation to make Eurodollar Rate Loans;

 

(ii) Imposes or modifies any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge, or similar requirement (other than the reserve requirement utilized in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate) relating to any extensions of credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities or commitments of, such Lender Party (including its Commitment); or

 

(iii) Imposes on such Lender Party or on the offshore interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than taxes) affecting this Agreement or any of such extensions of credit or liabilities or commitments;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender Party of making, Converting into, Continuing, or maintaining any Eurodollar Rate Loans or to reduce any sum received or receivable by such Lender Party under this Agreement with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans, then from time to time upon demand of such Lender Party (with a copy of such demand to Administrative Agent), Borrower shall pay to such Lender Party such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender Party for such increased cost or reduction.

 

 

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(b)       If any Lender Party determines that the adoption of any Law or any change in any Law or in the interpretation thereof effective after the date hereof, including in regard to capital adequacy and liquidity, has the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender Party or compliance by such Lender Party (or its Lending Office) or any corporation controlling such Lender Party as a consequence of such Lender Party’s obligations hereunder (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity and such Lender Party’s desired return on capital and desired liquidity levels), then from time to time upon demand of such Lender Party (with a copy to Administrative Agent), Borrower shall pay to such Lender Party such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender Party for such reduction.

 

(c)       Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (i) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or by United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, and (ii) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, shall in each case be deemed to be a change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

 

3.05       Breakfunding Costs. Subject to Section 3.06(a), upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent) from time to time, Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any actual loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

 

(a)       Any Continuation, Conversion, payment or prepayment by Borrower of any Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration or otherwise); or

 

(b)       Any failure by Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Eurodollar Rate Loan) to prepay, borrow, Continue or Convert any Eurodollar Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by Borrower;

 

excluding any loss of anticipated profits but including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.

 

3.06       Matters Applicable to all Requests for Compensation.

 

(a)       A certificate of Administrative Agent or any Lender claiming compensation under this Section 3 and setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall be conclusive in the absence of clearly demonstrable error; provided that such certificate (i) sets forth with reasonable specificity the calculation of the amount to be paid, (ii) states that Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, is treating substantially all similarly situated borrowers in a manner that is consistent with the treatment afforded Borrower hereunder, (iii) is delivered within 90 days of the later of the date of the event giving rise to such compensation and the date Administrative Agent or such Lender knew or, with the exercise of reasonable care, should have known of the requirements for such compensation, and (iv) confirms (in the case of a claim for compensation under Section 3.01 or Section 3.04) that either a change in Administrative Agent’s Office or Lending Office, as the case may be, of Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, would not have eliminated the request for compensation or that such change would have been otherwise disadvantageous to Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be. In determining the

 

 

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amount of such compensation, Administrative Agent or any Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

 

(b)       Upon any Lender becoming prohibited from making, maintaining or funding Eurodollar Rate Loans pursuant to Section 3.02, or upon any Lender making a claim for compensation under Section 3.01 or Section 3.04, Borrower may remove or replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.21.

 

3.07       Survival. All of Borrower’s obligations under this Section 3 shall survive termination of the Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations.

 

SECTION 4

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT

 

4.01       Conditions Precedent to Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective upon the satisfaction, on or before June 30, 2018, of the conditions precedent set forth in this Section 4.01:

 

(a)       Receipt by Administrative Agent of each of the following, each of which shall be originals, facsimiles or pdf copies unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Loan Party, each dated on, or in the case of third party certificates, recently before, the Effective Date and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent:

 

(i) executed counterparts of (a) this Agreement, executed and delivered by Borrower, Administrative Agent and each Person listed on Schedule 2.01 and (b) the Guarantee Agreement, executed and delivered by each Guarantor (provided that the requirements of this clause (i) may be satisfied by customary written evidence reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent (which may include electronic transmission of a signed signature page) that such party has signed a counterpart to this Agreement or the Guarantee Agreement (as applicable));

 

(ii) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date and executed by a secretary, assistant secretary or Responsible Officer thereof, which shall (A) certify that attached thereto are (x) a true and complete copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, formation or organization of such Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of its jurisdiction of organization, which certificate or articles of incorporation, formation or organization of such Loan Party attached thereto have not been amended (except as attached thereto) since the date reflected thereon, (y) a true and correct copy of the by-laws or operating, management, partnership or similar agreement of such Loan Party, together with all amendments thereto as of the Effective Date and such by-laws or operating, management, partnership or similar agreement are in full force and effect and (z) a true and complete copy of the resolutions or written consent, as applicable, of its board of directors, board of managers, sole member or other applicable governing body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents, and, in the case of Borrower, the borrowings and other obligations thereunder, which resolutions or consent have not been modified, rescinded or amended (other than as attached thereto) and are in full force and effect, and (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the officers, managers, directors or authorized signatories of such Loan Party

 

 

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authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party on the Effective Date;

 

(iii) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower certifying that (A) the representations and warranties made by Borrower herein, or which are contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date, (B) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (C) that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the Reference Statements which has a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(iv) opinions of counsel to Borrower in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent; and

 

(v) all information requested by the Arrangers in writing at least ten Business Days prior to the Effective Date, to the extent necessary to enable such Lender to identify Borrower and Guarantors to the extent required for compliance with the PATRIOT Act or other “know your customer” rules and regulations (which requested information shall have been received at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date).

 

(b)       With respect to any fees due and payable on or before the Effective Date pursuant to the Fee Letter, either (i) such fees shall have been paid or (ii) arrangements satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall have been made with respect to the payment of such fees.

 

(c)       Administrative Agent shall have received a copy, in substantially final form and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, of the Rule 2.7 Announcement.

 

4.02       Conditions Precedent to Borrowings. The agreement of each Lender to make Extensions of Credit requested to be made by it is subject solely to the satisfaction, in each case on or before the Certain Funds Termination Date, of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in this Section 4.02:

 

(a)       The Effective Date shall have occurred.

 

(b)       With respect to the initial Extension of Credit hereunder, Administrative Agent shall have received a Target Acquisition Certificate.

 

(c)       Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all fees required to be paid on or prior to the date of such Extension of Credit pursuant to the Fee Letter have been or shall be paid on or prior to such date (or other arrangements satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall have been made with respect to the payment of such fees).

 

(d)       No Major Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the proposed Extension of Credit to be made on such date.

 

(e)       It shall not be illegal for any Lender to lend and there is no injunction, restraining order or equivalent prohibiting any Lender from funding its portion of such Loans; provided, that such Lender has used commercially reasonable efforts to fund its such Loans through an Affiliate of such Lender not subject to such legal restriction; provided, further, that the occurrence of such event in relation to one Lender shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder.

 

 

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4.03       Determinations Under Sections 4.01 and 4.02. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Sections 4.01 or 4.02, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Lenders unless an officer of Administrative Agent responsible for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the Effective Date or the date of any Extension of Credit, as applicable, specifying its objection thereto. Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall promptly notify the Lenders and Borrower in writing of the occurrence of the Effective Date and of the occurrence of the Initial Closing Date, which writings shall be conclusive and irrevocable.

 

4.04       Actions by Lenders During Certain Funds Period. Notwithstanding (x) anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (y) that any condition set forth in Section 4.01 or Section 4.02 may subsequently be determined not to have been satisfied, during the Certain Funds Period (unless (i) a Major Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or, in respect of clause (c) below, would result therefrom, (ii) in respect of clause (c) below, the conditions set forth in Section 4.02, as applicable, are not satisfied or (iii) it becomes illegal for any Lender to maintain its Commitment; provided that such Lender has used commercially reasonable efforts to maintain its Commitment through an Affiliate of such Lender not subject to a legal restriction and that the occurrence of such event in relation to one Lender shall not enable any other Lender to cancel its Commitment), each Lender shall comply with its obligations to fund Loans under the Loan Documents and no Lender shall:

 

(a)       cancel any of its Commitments;

 

(b)       rescind, terminate or cancel any Loan Document or exercise any similar right or remedy or make or enforce any claim under any Loan Document it may have to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the funding of a Borrowing;

 

(c)       refuse to fund any Loan in respect of its outstanding Commitment;

 

(d)       exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim in respect of any Loan to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the funding of any Borrowing; or

 

(e)       cancel, accelerate or cause repayment or prepayment of any amounts owing under any Loan Document to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the funding of any Borrowing;

 

provided that immediately upon the expiration of the Certain Funds Period all such rights, remedies and entitlements shall be available to the Lenders notwithstanding that they may not have been used or been available for use during the Certain Funds Period.

 

SECTION 5

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Subject to Section 4.04. Borrower represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders that:

 

5.01       Existence and Qualification; Compliance with Laws. Each of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the state of its organization, except, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, to the extent that the failure to be so organized, formed, validly existing or in good standing does not have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b)

 

 

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is in compliance with all Laws, except to the extent that noncompliance does not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.02       Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. Each Loan Party has the power and authority and the legal right to execute, deliver and perform each Loan Document to which it is a party, and has taken all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of each Loan Document to which it is a party. Except for such consents, authorizations, filings or other acts which have been duly made or obtained and are in full force and effect, no consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or in respect of any Governmental Authority is required for the due execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Guarantee Agreement. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party party thereto, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

5.03       No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery, and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party do not and will not (a) violate or conflict with, or result in a breach of, or require any consent under (i) such Loan Party’s organizational documents, (ii) any applicable Laws which has a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) any Contractual Obligation, license or franchise of any Loan Party or by which any Loan Party or its property is bound or subject, in each case with respect to this clause (iii), which has a Material Adverse Effect or (b) constitute a default under any such Contractual Obligation, license or franchise which has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.04       Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

 

(a)       The Reference Statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein.

 

(b)       From December 31, 2017 to the Effective Date and the Initial Closing Date, there has been no event or circumstance which has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.05       Litigation. Except as disclosed in Borrower’s public filings prior to the Effective Date, no litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before an arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened by or against Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.06       Use of Proceeds. Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans solely to finance a portion of the Transactions, which, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a Borrowing of Loans after the Initial Closing Date but prior to the consummation of the intended acquisition of certain Target shares. No part of the proceeds of any Extensions of Credit hereunder will be used for “purchasing” or “carrying” “margin stock” as so defined in a manner which violates, or which would be inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulations T, U, or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

5.07       Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and

 

 

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applicable Sanctions, and Borrower, its Subsidiaries and to the knowledge of Borrower its officers, directors, employees and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of (a) Borrower, any Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of Borrower or such Subsidiary, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of Borrower, any agent of Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person.

 

5.08       Target Acquisition Documents.

 

(a)       In the case of an Offer, the Offer Press Release and the Offer Documents contain all material terms of the Offer (taken as a whole) as at the date on which they were published.

 

(b)       In the case of a Scheme, the Scheme Press Release and the Scheme Documents contain all the material terms of the Scheme (taken as a whole) as at the date on which they were published.

 

SECTION 6

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Subject to Section 4.04, so long as any Obligation remains unpaid, or any portion of the Commitments remains outstanding, Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of Borrower’s reporting covenants), cause each Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

6.01       Financial Statements. Deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders, in form and detail satisfactory to Administrative Agent:

 

(a)       As soon as available but in any event within 105 days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, consolidated balance sheets as at the end of such fiscal year and related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal year of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries and certified by a Responsible Officer of Borrower, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, which report and opinion shall not be subject to any “going concern” qualification or qualifications as to the scope of the audit.

 

(b)       As soon as available, but in any event within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of Borrower ending after the Effective Date, consolidated balance sheets as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and certified by a Responsible Officer of Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to pro forma adjustments and normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

(c)       Financial statements and other documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 6.01 or Section 6.02(b) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered (i) to the extent such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, when such filing is available to the Lenders on EDGAR or

 

 

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(ii) in any case, on the date on which such documents are posted on Borrower’s behalf on an Internet website to which each Lender and Administrative Agent has access.

 

6.02       Certificates, Notices and Other Information. Deliver to Administrative Agent in form and detail satisfactory to Administrative Agent:

 

(a)       No later than the date required for the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b), a duly completed Compliance Certificate (which shall include reconciliation of certain financial information with respect to the Restricted Group) signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower, which Compliance Certificate shall set forth the necessary adjustments to exclude the Indebtedness and EBITDA attributed to Unrestricted Subsidiaries from the calculations set forth therein and shall give pro forma effect to Material Acquisitions and Material Dispositions in accordance with Section 1.07;

 

(b)       Promptly after the same are available, copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which Borrower may file or be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;

 

(c)       Promptly after a Responsible Officer of Borrower obtaining knowledge of the occurrence thereof, notice of any Default or Event of Default specifying the nature thereof and what action Borrower has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(d)       Promptly after a Responsible Officer of Borrower obtaining knowledge of the occurrence thereof, notice of any ERISA Event that has a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(e)       Promptly after such request, such other data and information as from time to time may be reasonably requested by Administrative Agent or any Lender through Administrative Agent (it being understood that Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to provide any information or documents that are subject to confidentiality provisions, the nature of which prohibit such disclosure, or would violate any attorney-client privilege).

 

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Confidential Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.17); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.

 

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”

 

6.03       Payment of Taxes. Pay and discharge when due all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed on it or on its income or profits or any of its property, except for any such tax, assessment, charge or levy which is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on its books in accordance with GAAP, and except for such payments which, if not paid, do not in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.04       Preservation of Existence. Preserve and maintain its existence, licenses, permits, rights, franchises and privileges necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except where failure to do so does not have a Material Adverse Effect, and except that nothing in this Section 6.04 shall prohibit any transaction permitted by Section 7.03.

 

6.05       Compliance With Laws. Comply with the requirements of all applicable Laws and orders of any Governmental Authority, noncompliance with which has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.06       Inspection Rights. At any time during regular business hours, upon reasonable notice, and as often as reasonably requested, but subject to Section 10.17, permit Administrative Agent or any Lender, or any employee, agent or representative thereof, to examine (and during the existence of an Event of Default, make copies and abstracts from) the records and books of account of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and to visit and inspect their properties and to discuss their affairs, finances and accounts with any of their officers and key employees; provided that, other than during the continuance of an Event of Default, no more than one such examination, visit or inspection shall occur during any calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to provide or otherwise allow access to any information or documents that are subject to confidentiality provisions, the nature of which prohibit such disclosure, or would violate any attorney-client privilege.

 

6.07       Keeping of Records and Books of Account. Keep, in all material respects, proper books of record and account, in which entries shall be made sufficient to permit the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

 

6.08       Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries. So long as no Default or Event of Default exists or arises as a result thereof and subject to the next succeeding sentence, Borrower may from time to time designate a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or designate an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that Borrower shall (a) provide Administrative Agent written notification of such designation prior to or concurrently therewith (which written notification Administrative Agent will promptly forward to Lenders), (b) if such designation is a Material Acquisition (in the case of the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary) or a Material Disposition (in the case of the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary), within 10 Business Days after such notification, deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate, in form reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, demonstrating pro-forma compliance (in accordance with Section 1.07) with Section 7.06 immediately prior to and after giving effect to such designation and (c) not designate as an Unrestricted Subsidiary any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary and that guarantees Material Debt unless such Guarantor is simultaneously released from its guarantee of such Material Debt. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (w) each Guarantor shall at all times be a Restricted Subsidiary for all purposes hereunder unless such Guarantor is simultaneously released as a Guarantor upon such designation as contemplated pursuant to Section 6.10, (x) unless designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with clause

 

 

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(y) below, each Cable Subsidiary shall at all times be a Restricted Subsidiary for all purposes hereunder, (y) Borrower may designate a Cable Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary at any time when the Leverage Ratio (calculated after giving pro forma effect to such designation) is less than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00 and (z) on and after March 28, 2018, but prior to the termination of all Bridge Commitments and the repayment in full of all Bridge Loans, Borrower shall not designate any Existing Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent that after giving effect to such designation, the Annualized EBITDA (as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter prior to such designation) of all such Existing Restricted Subsidiaries so designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries on and after March 28, 2018 would exceed 15.0% of the Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of two fiscal quarters ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to March 28, 2018. Borrower hereby designates the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 6.08 as Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

6.09       Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

 

6.10       Guarantors. Any time after the Effective Date, Borrower may cause any of its Subsidiaries to guarantee the Obligations of Borrower hereunder by delivering to Administrative Agent an Assumption Agreement to the Guarantee Agreement, in form set forth on Annex 1 to the Guarantee Agreement and executed by such proposed Guarantor. If, at any time following the Effective Date, a Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary (including as a result of a redesignation of such Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) or ceases to be a Subsidiary, in each case as a result of a transaction not otherwise prohibited hereunder, then such Guarantor’s guarantee of the Obligations shall be automatically released and such Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations under the Guarantee Agreement.  In addition, if Borrower elects by notice in writing to Administrative Agent to cause such Guarantor to be released from its guarantee of the Obligations, and a Responsible Officer of Borrower certifies in writing that immediately after giving effect to such release, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then immediately upon the delivery of such notice and certification to Administrative Agent such Guarantor’s guarantee of the Obligations shall be automatically released and such Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations under the Guarantee Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary and that guarantees any Material Debt may be released from the Guarantee Agreement and its Guarantee Obligation thereunder, including as a result of being designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, unless such Guarantor is simultaneously released from its guarantee of such Material Debt. Administrative Agent shall execute such documents as Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence the release contemplated by this Section 6.10. 

 

6.11       Scheme and Offer. Borrower agrees that from the Effective Date, Borrower will (and will procure that Bidco will):

 

(a)       comply in all material respects with:

 

(i) the Takeover Code; and

 

(ii) all other applicable laws and regulations in relation to any Offer or Scheme,

 

in each case in relation to the Target Acquisition and, subject to any waivers or dispensations granted by the Panel, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other applicable regulator;

 

 

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(b)       promptly provide Administrative Agent with such information as it may reasonably request regarding the Target Acquisition subject to confidentiality limitations and except to the extent it is prohibited by law or regulation from doing so; and

 

(c)       deliver to Administrative Agent as soon as reasonably practicable after it is published copies of:

 

(i) each Offer Document and any Scheme Documents; and

 

(ii) each Rule 2.7 Announcement (each of which shall include terms and conditions which are (taken as a whole) not materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders (taken as a whole) when compared to those included in the draft Rule 2.7 Announcement delivered pursuant to Section 4.01(c), it being acknowledged that a waiver of a pre-condition which then becomes a condition to be satisfied in connection with the Target Acquisition or an increase to the price of the Target Acquisition will not be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders (taken as a whole); provided that Borrower may modify or amend any term or condition of any Offer or Scheme to the extent required by the Code, the Panel, any other competent regulatory body or by a court of competent jurisdiction).

 

SECTION 7

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Subject to Section 4.04, so long as any Obligations remain unpaid, or any portion of the Commitments remains outstanding:

 

7.01       Liens. Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Lien securing Indebtedness for borrowed money (including without duplication Guaranty Obligations in respect thereof) upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

 

(a)       Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;

 

(b)       Liens existing on the date hereof securing Indebtedness for borrowed money (including without duplication Guaranty Obligations in respect thereof) that does not exceed $750,000,000 in the aggregate, and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that such Liens are not extended to cover any other property, assets or revenues;

 

(c)       Liens in favor of Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(d)       Liens on “margin stock” (as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System);

 

(e)       Liens on property acquired (by purchase, merger or otherwise) after the date hereof, existing at the time of acquisition thereof (but not created in anticipation thereof), or placed thereon (at the time of such acquisition or within 180 days of such acquisition to secure a portion of the purchase price thereof), and any renewals or extensions thereof, so long as the Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted hereby; provided that such Liens do not and are not extended to cover any other property;

 

 

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(f)       To the extent constituting Liens securing Indebtedness for borrowed money (including without duplication Guaranty Obligations in respect thereof), Liens under Sale-Leaseback Transactions, and any renewals or extensions thereof, so long as the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed $1,000,000,000 in the aggregate;

 

(g)       Liens arising in connection with asset securitization transactions, so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $2,000,000,000 at any one time;

 

(h)       Liens not otherwise permitted hereby which secure Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Asset Monetization Transactions;

 

(i)       (A) Liens on any assets of the Target Group which Liens (i) are existing as of the Final Closing Date, (ii) are not incurred to secure indebtedness financing the Target Acquisition and (iii) do not extend to other assets other than (x) after acquired property that is automatically subject to such Lien, (y) proceeds and products of such property and any replacement, improvement, accessions or additions thereto and (B) any modification, replacement, refinancing, renewal or extension of such Lien; and

 

(j)       other Liens, so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness for borrowed money (including without duplication Guaranty Obligations in respect thereof) secured thereby does not exceed at any time an amount equal to (x) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets minus (y) the amount, if any, of any unsecured Indebtedness incurred by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor pursuant to Section 7.02.

 

7.02       Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Indebtedness. Borrower shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors to create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except

 

(a)       Indebtedness existing on the date hereof, in an aggregate amount not in excess of (i) the aggregate amount of the Asset Monetization Transactions set forth on Schedule A plus (ii) $2,000,000,000, and all extensions, renewals and replacements of such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

 

(b)       Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary to Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(c)       (A) Indebtedness of the Target Group that (i) is existing as of the Final Closing Date and (ii) is  not incurred to finance the Target Acquisition and (B) any modification, replacement, refinancing, renewal or extension of such Indebtedness; and

 

(d)       Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount for all such Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors not exceeding at any time (x) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets minus (y) the amount, if any, of Indebtedness for borrowed money (including without duplication Guaranty Obligations in respect thereof) of any Loan Party secured pursuant to Section 7.01(j)).

 

7.03       Fundamental Changes. (a) Borrower shall not (A) merge or consolidate with or into any Person or (B) liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself or (C) sell, transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, provided that nothing in this Section 7.03 shall be construed to prohibit Borrower from reincorporating in another jurisdiction permitted by clause (iii) below, changing its form

 

 

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of organization or merging into, or transferring all or substantially all of its assets to, another Person so long as:

 

(i) either (x) Borrower shall be the surviving entity with substantially the same assets immediately following the reincorporation or reorganization or (y) the surviving entity or transferee (the “Successor Corporation”) shall, immediately following the merger or transfer, as the case may be, (A) have substantially all of the assets of Borrower immediately preceding the merger or transfer, as the case may be, (B) have duly assumed all of Borrower’s obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent (and, if requested by Administrative Agent, the Successor Corporation shall have delivered an opinion of counsel as to the assumption of such obligations) and (C) either (I) have then-effective ratings (or implied ratings) published by Moody’s or S&P applicable to such Successor Corporation’s senior, unsecured, non-credit-enhanced, long term indebtedness for borrowed money, which ratings shall be either Baa3 or higher (if assigned by Moody’s) or BBB- or higher (if assigned by S&P) or (II) be acceptable to Required Lenders;

 

(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(iii) Borrower or a Successor Corporation’s jurisdiction of organization shall be a state within in the United States of America or the District of Columbia.

 

(b)       Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall continue to operate cable, media and other communications businesses as its primary lines of business.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for the avoidance of doubt, this Section 7.03 shall not apply to the Target Acquisition or any transactions undertaken to implement the Target Acquisition, in accordance with the Offer Documents or the Scheme Documents and the Target Acquisition shall be permitted hereunder.

 

7.04       ERISA. Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, at any time permit (a) any Plan to (i) engage in any non-exempt “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code) or (ii) fail to comply with ERISA or any other Laws applicable to a Plan or (b) the occurrence of any ERISA Event; which, with respect to each event described in clauses (a) or (b) above, has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.05       Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Borrower will not request any Borrowing and Borrower shall not use, and shall not make available to its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, the proceeds of any Borrowing (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent such activities, business or transaction are not prohibited by any Sanctions applicable to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (C) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

7.06       Financial Covenant. Borrower shall not permit the Leverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of Borrower ending after the Initial Closing Date to be greater than 5.75 to 1.00.

 

7.07       Scheme and Offer.

 

 

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(a)       Except as consented to by the Required Lenders in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), Borrower shall not (and shall procure that Bidco shall not) amend, treat as satisfied or waive any term or condition of an Offer or a Scheme set out in the relevant Target Acquisition Document other than any such amendment, treatment or waiver which is not a Materially Adverse Amendment; provided that Borrower may amend, treat as satisfied or waive any term or condition of an Offer or a Scheme to the extent required by the Takeover Code, the Panel, any other competent regulatory body or by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(b)       In the case of an Offer, Borrower shall not (and shall procure that Bidco shall not) declare any Offer unconditional as to acceptances until the Acceptance Condition shall have been satisfied.

 

SECTION 8
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

8.01       Events of Default. Subject to Section 4.04, any one or more of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default:

 

(a)       Borrower fails to pay any principal on any of its Outstanding Obligations (other than fees) on the date when due; or

 

(b)       Borrower fails to pay any interest on any of its Outstanding Obligations, or any commitment fees, within five days after the date when due; or fails to pay any other fees or amount payable to Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document within five days after the date when due or, if applicable, after demand is made for the payment thereof; or

 

(c)       Any default occurs in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in Section 6.02(c), 7.03 or 7.06; or

 

(d)       Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsections (a), (b) or (c) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days after notice thereof to Borrower from Administrative Agent or any Lender; or

 

(e)       Any representation or warranty by any Loan Party in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any Compliance Certificate proves to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

 

(f)       (i) Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (x) defaults in any payment when due (giving effect to any stated grace periods) of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) having an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Threshold Amount or (y) defaults in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, and as a consequence, Indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Threshold Amount shall have become due (automatically or otherwise) or shall have been required to be redeemed prior to its stated maturity (provided that to the extent that any acceleration referred to in the preceding provisions of this Section 8.01(f) is duly rescinded by the required holders of the applicable Indebtedness, such acceleration shall cease to be an Event of Default hereunder, unless and except to the extent that Administrative Agent has theretofore exercised remedies hereunder pursuant to Section 8.02), or (ii) Borrower or any Guarantor shall generally not

 

 

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pay its debts as they become due or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature; or

 

(g)       The Guarantee Agreement, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than the agreement of Required Lenders or all Lenders, as may be required hereunder, or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be null and void, invalid or unenforceable in any material respect; or a Guarantor denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under the Guarantee Agreement, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind the Guarantee Agreement in writing; or

 

(h)       A final non-appealable judgment against Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is entered for the payment of money (which is not covered by insurance) in excess of the Threshold Amount if such judgment remains unsatisfied without procurement of a stay of execution for 60 calendar days after the date of entry of such judgment; or

 

(i)       Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under Debtor Relief Laws, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of that Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under Debtor Relief Laws relating to any such Person or to all or any part of its property is instituted without the consent of that Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

 

(j)       There occurs any Change of Control.

 

8.02       Remedies Upon Event of Default. Without limiting any other rights or remedies of Administrative Agent or Lenders provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, or the other Loan Documents, or by applicable Law, or in equity, or otherwise (but subject in all cases to Section 4.04):

 

(a)       Upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of any Event of Default, Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, and (subject to the terms of Section 9) shall, upon the request of Required Lenders, declare all or any part of the unpaid principal of all Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents to be immediately due and payable, whereupon the same shall become and be immediately due and payable, without protest, presentment, notice of dishonor, demand or further notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Borrower.

 

(b)       If (x) following the expiration of the Certain Funds Period, any Event of Default described in Section 8.01(i) occurs or (y) during the Certain Funds Period, an Event of Default described in Section 8.01(i) occurs that is a Major Event of Default, then:

 

(i) the Commitments and all other obligations of Administrative Agent or Lenders shall automatically terminate without notice to or demand upon Borrower, which is expressly waived by Borrower; and

 

(ii) the unpaid principal of all Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents shall be immediately due and payable, without protest, presentment, notice of dishonor, demand or further notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Borrower.

 

 

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(c)       Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, and (subject to the terms of Section 9) shall, upon the request of Required Lenders, protect, exercise and enforce against Borrower the rights and remedies of Administrative Agent and Lenders under the Loan Documents and such other rights and remedies as are provided by Law or equity.

 

(d)       The order and manner in which Administrative Agent’s and Lenders’ rights and remedies are to be exercised shall be determined by Administrative Agent or Required Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion. Regardless of how a Lender may treat payments for the purpose of its own accounting, for the purpose of computing the Obligations hereunder, payments received during the existence of an Event of Default shall be applied first, to costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by Administrative Agent and each Lender (to the extent that each Lender has a right to reimbursement thereof pursuant to the Loan Documents), second, to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the Obligations to and including the date of such application, third, to the payment of, or as cash collateral for, the unpaid principal of the Obligations, and fourth, to the payment of all other amounts (including fees) then owing to Administrative Agent and Lenders under the Loan Documents, in each case paid pro rata to each Lender in the same proportions that the aggregate Obligations owed to each Lender under the Loan Documents bear to the aggregate Obligations owed under the Loan Documents to all Lenders, without priority or preference among Lenders, subject to the last parenthetical of Section 2.01(a) of the Guarantee Agreement.

 

8.03       Clean-Up Period. Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for a period commencing on the Initial Closing Date and ending on the Clean-Up Period Termination Date, any breach of covenants, misrepresentation or other Default or Event of Default which arises with respect to the Target Group only will be deemed not to be a breach of representation or warranty, a breach of covenant, a Default or an Event of Default, as the case may be, if:

 

(a)       it relates exclusively to the Target Group (or any obligation to procure or ensure any action in relation to the Target Group);

 

(b)       it is capable of remedy and reasonable steps (consistent with Borrower’s level of control of the Target) are being taken to remedy it;

 

(c)       the circumstances giving rise to it have not been procured by or approved by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a member of the Target Group); and

 

(d)       it is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

provided that, if the relevant circumstances are continuing on or after the Clean-Up Period Termination Date, there shall be a breach of representation or warranty, breach of covenant, Default or Event of Default, as the case may be, notwithstanding this Section 8.03.

 

SECTION 9

THE AGENTS

 

9.01       Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to Administrative Agent by the terms of this

 

 

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Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against Administrative Agent. The provisions of this Section are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions (other than as provided in Section 9.09 below). It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

 

9.02       Delegation of Duties. Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

 

9.03       Exculpatory Provisions. Neither any Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agents under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Agents shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party.

 

9.04       Reliance by Administrative Agent. (a) Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

 

 

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(b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 4.01, absent Requisite Notice by such Lender to Administrative Agent to the contrary, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter either sent by Administrative Agent to each Lender for consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender.

 

9.05       Notice of Default. Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that Administrative Agent receives such a notice, Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to Lenders. Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders); provided that unless and until Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of Lenders.

 

9.06       Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to Lenders by Administrative Agent hereunder, Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

 

9.07       Indemnification. Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Loan Parties and without limiting the obligation of any Loan Party to do so), ratably according to their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentage in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Aggregate Exposure Percentage immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any

 

 

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portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

9.08       Agent in Its Individual Capacity. Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party and its affiliates as though such Agent were not an Agent. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

 

9.09       Successor Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 30 days’ notice to Lenders and Borrower. If Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among Lenders a successor agent for Lenders, which successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a), Section 8.01(b) or Section 8.01(i) with respect to Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing) be subject to approval by Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of Administrative Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 30 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Section and Sections 10.03 and 10.13 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them (i) while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and (ii) after such resignation for as long as any of them continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.

 

9.10       Syndication Agent. Neither Syndication Agent nor any Person identified on the cover page of this Agreement as a Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty hereunder in its capacity as such. Without limiting the foregoing, Syndication Agent in its capacity as such shall not have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on Syndication Agent in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.

 

9.11       Certain ERISA Matters.

 

(a)       Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, Administrative Agent and

 

 

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each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans or the Commitments,

 

(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement,

 

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

 

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

 

(b)       In addition, unless Section 9.11(a)(i) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, Administrative Agent and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of Borrower or any other Loan Party, that:

 

(i) none of Administrative Agent or any Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto),

 

(ii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50,000,000, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

 

 

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(iii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations),

 

(iv) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

 

(v) no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to Administrative Agent or any Arranger or any their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Commitments or this Agreement.

 

(c)       Administrative Agent and each Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

 

SECTION 10

MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.01       Amendments; Consents. No amendment, modification, supplement, extension, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no approval or consent thereunder, and no consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall be effective unless in writing signed by each Loan Party party thereto and Required Lenders (or, if such amendment, modification, supplement, extension, termination or waiver relates only to or only affects (u) the 3-Year Tranche Term Commitments and/or the 3-Year Tranche Term Loans, the Required 3-Year Tranche Lenders (v) the 3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans, the Required 3-Year Sterling Tranche Lenders, (w) the 3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans, the Required 3-Year Dollar Tranche Lenders, (x) the 5-Year Tranche Term Commitments and/or the 5-Year Tranche Term Loans, the Required 5-Year Tranche Lenders, (y) the 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans, the Required 5-Year Sterling Tranche Lenders or (z) the 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans, the Required 5-Year Dollar Tranche Lenders) and acknowledged by Administrative Agent (or signed by Administrative Agent with the prior written consent of Required Lenders, the Required 3-Year Tranche Lenders, the Required 3-Year Sterling Tranche Lenders, Required 3-Year Dollar Tranche Lenders, the Required 5-Year Tranche Lenders, Required 5-Year Sterling Tranche Lenders or the Required 5-Year Dollar Tranche Lenders, as applicable), and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, without the approval in writing of Borrower,

 

 

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Administrative Agent and each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, no amendment, modification, supplement, termination, waiver, approval, or consent may be effective to:

 

(a)       Reduce the amount of principal of any Outstanding Obligations owed to such Lender;

 

(b)       Reduce the rate of interest payable on any Outstanding Obligations owed to such Lender or the amount or rate of any fee or other amount payable to such Lender under the Loan Documents, except that Required Lenders may waive or defer the imposition of the Default Rate and amendments may otherwise be made in accordance with Section 3.03;

 

(c)       Waive an Event of Default consisting of the failure of Borrower to pay when due principal, interest, any commitment fee, or any other amount payable to such Lender under the Loan Documents;

 

(d)       Postpone any date scheduled for the payment of principal of, or interest on, any Loan or for the payment of any commitment fee or for the payment of any other amount, in each case payable to such Lender under the Loan Documents, or extend the term of, or increase the amount of, such Lender’s Commitment (it being understood that a waiver of any Event of Default not referred to in subsection (c) above shall require only the consent of Required Lenders) or modify such Lender’s share of the Commitments (except as contemplated hereby);

 

(e)       Amend or waive the definition of “Required Lenders”, “Required 3-Year Tranche Lenders”, “Required 3-Year Sterling Tranche Lenders”, “Required 3-Year Dollar Tranche Lenders”, “Required 5-Year Tranche Lenders”, “Required 5-Year Sterling Tranche Lenders” or “Required 5-Year Dollar Tranche Lenders” or the provisions of Section 8.02(d), this Section 10.01 or Section 10.06;

 

(f)       Amend or extend the “Certain Funds Period” or the “Certain Funds Termination Date”;

 

(g)       Amend or extend the June 30, 2018 effectiveness deadline in Section 4.01; or

 

(h)       Amend or waive any provision of this Agreement that expressly requires the consent or approval of such Lender;

 

provided, however, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by Administrative Agent in addition to Required Lenders or each affected Lender, as the case may be, affect the rights or duties of Administrative Agent, (ii) any fee letters may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed by the parties thereto, (iii) except as otherwise contemplated hereunder, without the written consent of all Lenders of a Class, no amendment, waiver or consent shall release all or substantially all of Guarantors from their obligations under the Guarantee Agreement with respect to the Loans of such Class and (iv) without the written consent of all Lenders of a Class, no amendment, waiver or consent shall change the currency of any Loan of such Class or other amount outstanding hereunder.

 

In the event that any Lender does not consent to any proposed amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that requires the consent of each of the Lenders (or each of the Lenders of a Class) or each of the Lenders (or each of the Lenders of a Class) directly and adversely affected thereby, so long as the consent of Required Lenders, the Required 3-Year Tranche Lenders, the Required 3-Year Sterling Tranche Lenders, the Required 3-

 

 

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Year Dollar Tranche Lenders, the Required 5-Year Tranche Lenders, the Required 5-Year Sterling Tranche Lenders or the Required 5-Year Dollar Tranche Lenders, as applicable, has been obtained, Borrower shall be permitted to remove or replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.21.

 

10.02       Requisite Notice; Electronic Communications.

 

(a)       Requisite Notice. Notices given in connection with any Loan Document shall be delivered to the intended recipient at the number and/or address (including email address) set forth in the case of Borrower and Administrative Agent on Schedule 10.02, and in the case of Lenders, on the Administrative Questionnaire (or as otherwise specified from time to time by such recipient in writing to Administrative Agent) and shall be given by (i) irrevocable written notice or (ii) except as otherwise provided, irrevocable telephonic (not voicemail) notice. Such notices may be delivered and shall be effective as follows:

 

Mode of Delivery  
Mail Effective on earlier of actual receipt and fourth Business Day after deposit in U.S. Mail, first class postage pre-paid
Courier or hand delivery When received
Telephone (not voicemail) When conversation completed (must be confirmed in writing)
Facsimile When sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to be giving at opening of business on next Business Day for recipient)
Electronic Mail When delivered (usage subject to subsection (b) below)

(b)       Usage of Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by Electronic Communication pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Section 2 if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Section by Electronic Communications. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by Electronic Communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an email address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return email or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its email address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business

 

 

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hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.

 

(c)       Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

 

(d)       Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders. Administrative Agent and Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices purportedly given by or on behalf of Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. Borrower shall indemnify Administrative Agent-Related Persons and Lenders from any loss, cost, expense or liability as a result of relying on any notices purportedly given by or on behalf of Borrower absent the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Person seeking indemnification.

 

(e)       Electronic Systems.

 

(i) Each Loan Party agrees that Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System.

 

(ii) Any Electronic System used by Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or any Electronic System. In no event shall Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to Borrower or the other Loan Parties, any Lender or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind arising out of Borrower’s, any Loan Party’s or Administrative Agent’s transmission of Communications through an Electronic System, except to the extent such damages arise from bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of any Agent Party as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, provided that in no event shall any Agent Party be liable for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise).

 

10.03       Attorney Costs and Expenses. Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse Administrative Agent and Syndication Agent for all reasonable and documented or invoiced costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation, negotiation and execution of the Loan Documents, and to pay or reimburse Administrative Agent for all reasonable and documented or invoiced costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation, negotiation and execution of any amendment, waiver, consent, supplement or modification to, any Loan Documents, and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including all Attorney Costs of one counsel to Administrative Agent and Syndication Agent and (b) to pay or reimburse Administrative Agent and each Lender for all reasonable and documented or invoiced costs and expenses incurred in connection with any restructuring, reorganization (including a bankruptcy reorganization) or enforcement or attempted

 

 

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enforcement of, or preservation of any rights under, any Loan Documents, and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, or in connection with any refinancing or restructuring of any such documents in the nature of a “workout” or of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding, including Attorney Costs of one counsel to Administrative Agent and each Lender (and, if representation of Administrative Agent, and each Lender in such matter by a single counsel would be inappropriate based on the advice of legal counsel due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, of another firm of counsel for such affected Person(s) (taken as a whole) and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in any relevant local jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) for such affected Person(s)). The agreements in this Section shall survive repayment of all Obligations.

 

10.04       Binding Effect; Assignment

 

(a)       This Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrower, Administrative Agent, Lenders and their respective successors and assigns, except that, Borrower may not, except as permitted by Section 7.03, assign its rights hereunder or thereunder or any interest herein or therein without the prior written consent of all Lenders and any such attempted assignment shall be void. Any Lender may at any time pledge a Note or any other instrument evidencing its rights as a Lender under this Agreement (including to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender or, if such Lender is a fund, to any trustee or to any other representative of holders of obligations owed or securities issued by such fund as security for such obligations or securities) but no such pledge shall release such Lender from its obligations hereunder or grant to any such pledgee the rights of a Lender hereunder absent foreclosure of such pledge, and any transfer to any Person upon the enforcement of such pledge shall be subject to this Section 10.04.

 

(b)       From time to time following the date of this Agreement, each Lender may assign all or any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to one or more Eligible Assignees, other than (i) Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (ii) natural persons; provided that such assignment shall be subject to Borrower’s consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld) at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default arising under Section 8.01(a), Section 8.01(b) or Section 8.01(i) and the consent of Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided that the consent of Borrower shall not be required with respect to (x) an assignment to another Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender or (y) an assignment of Loans (but for the avoidance of doubt, not any Commitments) to any Approved Fund unless, in the cases of clauses (x) and (y), such assignment would result in the aggregate Loans and Commitments of such assignee and its Affiliates in respect of a Class exceeding 15% of the aggregate Commitments and Loans of such Class then outstanding. While any 3-Year Tranche Term Commitments and/or 5-Year Tranche Term Commitments are outstanding, (i) any assignment of 3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans and/or 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans without a corresponding assignment of the pro rata amount of 3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans or 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans, as applicable, and the 3-Year Tranche Term Commitments and/or 5-Year Tranche Term Commitments, as applicable or (ii) any assignment of 3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans and/or 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans without a corresponding assignment of the pro rata amount of 3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans or 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans, as applicable, and the 3-Year Tranche Term Commitments and/or 5-Year Tranche Term Commitments, as applicable, shall not be effective. No such assignment shall become effective unless and until a copy of a duly signed and completed Assignment and Assumption shall be delivered to Administrative Agent. Except in the case of an assignment (A) to another Lender or (B) of the entire remaining Commitment or Loan, as applicable, of the assigning Lender, such assignment shall be in an aggregate principal amount not less than the Minimum Amount therefor without the consent of Borrower and Administrative Agent. The effective

 

 

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date of any assignment shall be as specified in the Assignment and Assumption, but not earlier than the date which is five Business Days after the date Administrative Agent has received the Assignment and Assumption. Upon obtaining any consent required as set forth this paragraph, any forms required by Section 10.20 and payment of the requisite fee described below, the assignee named therein shall be a Lender for all purposes of this Agreement to the extent of the Assigned Interest (as defined in such Assignment and Assumption), and, except for rights and obligations which by their terms survive termination of any Commitments or the repayment of the Loans, the assigning Lender shall be released from any further obligations under this Agreement to the extent of such Assigned Interest. Upon request, Borrower shall execute and deliver new or replacement Notes to the assigning Lender and the assignee Lender to evidence Loans made by them. Administrative Agent’s consent to any assignment shall not be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Administrative Agent-Related Person as to any matter. Administrative Agent shall record the information contained in the Assignment and Assumption in the Register.

 

(c)       After receipt of a completed Assignment and Assumption, and receipt of an assignment fee of $3,500 from such assignee and/or such assigning Lender (including in the case of assignments to Affiliates of assigning Lenders), Administrative Agent shall promptly accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register on the effective date determined pursuant thereto.

 

(d)       Each Lender may from time to time, without the consent of any other Person, grant participations to one or more other Persons that are Eligible Assignees (including another Lender but excluding (x) Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (y) natural persons) in all or any portion of its Loans, Commitments, Extensions of Credit or any other interest of such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided, however, that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the participating bank or other financial institution shall not be a Lender hereunder for any purpose except, if the participation agreement so provides, for the purposes of the increased cost provisions (including yield protection and taxes) of Section 3 (but only to the extent that the cost of such benefits to Borrower does not exceed the cost which Borrower would have incurred in respect of such Lender absent the participation) and for purposes of Section 10.06, (iv) Borrower, Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, and (v) the consent of the holder of such participation interest shall not be required for amendments or waivers of provisions of the Loan Documents; provided, however, that the assigning Lender may, in any agreement with a participant, give such participant the right to consent (as between the assigning Lender and such participant) to any matter which (A) extends the Certain Funds Termination Date or the Maturity Date as to such participant or any other date upon which any payment of money is due to such participant, (B) reduces the rate of interest owing to such participant or any fee or any other monetary amount owing to such participant (except as otherwise provided in Section 10.07(b)), or (C) reduces the amount of any scheduled payment of principal owing to such participant. Any Lender that sells a participation to any Person that is a “foreign corporation, partnership or trust” within the meaning of the Code shall include in its participation agreement with such Person a covenant by such Person that such Person will comply with the provisions of Section 10.20 as if such Person were a Lender and provide that Administrative Agent and Borrower shall be third party beneficiaries of such covenant. Each Lender that sells or grants a participation shall (a) withhold or deduct from each payment to the holder of such participation the amount of any tax required under applicable law to be withheld or deducted from such payment and not withheld or deducted therefrom by Borrower or Administrative Agent, (b) pay the tax so withheld or deducted by it to the appropriate taxing authority in accordance with applicable law and (c) indemnify Borrower

 

 

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and Administrative Agent for any losses, cost and expenses that they may incur as a result of any failure to so withhold or deduct and pay such tax.

 

Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any participant or any information relating to a participant’s interest in any Commitments, Extensions of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitments, Extensions of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1 (c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.04, (a) the written consent of Borrower (in its sole discretion) shall be required for any assignment or participation (other than assignments by a Lender to any of its Affiliates) on or prior to the Certain Funds Termination Date and any such attempted assignment or participation without the written consent of Borrower shall be null and void and (b) in connection with any assignment of Commitments on or prior to the Certain Funds Termination Date by a Lender to any of its Affiliates, the assigning Lender shall not be relieved of its obligations (as in effect immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment) to fund Loans in respect of its Commitments pursuant to this Agreement without the prior written consent of Borrower (in its sole discretion).

 

10.05       Set-off. Without prejudice to and subject to Section 4.04, in addition to any rights and remedies of Administrative Agent and Lenders or any assignee of any Lender or any Affiliate thereof (each, a “Proceeding Party”) provided by law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Proceeding Party is authorized at any time and from time to time, without prior notice to Borrower, any such notice being waived by Borrower to the fullest extent permitted by law, to proceed directly, by right of set-off, banker’s lien or otherwise, against any assets of Borrower which may be in the hands of such Proceeding Party (including all general or special, time or demand, provisional or other deposits and other indebtedness owing by such Proceeding Party to or for the credit or the account of Borrower) and apply such assets against the Obligations then due and payable, irrespective of whether such Proceeding Party shall have made any demand therefor. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify Borrower and Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

 

10.06       Sharing of Payments. Each Lender severally agrees that if it, through the exercise of any right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim against Borrower or otherwise, receives payment of the Obligations held by it that is ratably more than any other Lender receives in payment of the Obligations held by such other Lender, then, subject to applicable Laws, (a) such Lender exercising the right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim or otherwise receiving such payment shall purchase, and shall be deemed to have simultaneously purchased, from the other Lender a participation in the Obligations held by the other Lender and shall pay to the other Lender a purchase price in an amount so that the share of the Obligations held by each Lender after the exercise of the right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim or receipt of payment shall be in the same proportion that existed prior to the exercise of

 

 

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the right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim or receipt of payment; and (b) such other adjustments and purchases of participations shall be made from time to time as shall be equitable to ensure that all Lenders share any payment obtained in respect of the Obligations ratably in accordance with each Lender’s share of the Obligations immediately prior to, and without taking into account, the payment; provided that, (i) if all or any portion of a disproportionate payment obtained as a result of the exercise of the right of setoff, banker’s lien, counterclaim or otherwise is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender by Borrower or any Person claiming through or succeeding to the rights of Borrower, the purchase of a participation shall be rescinded and the purchase price thereof shall be restored to the extent of the recovery, but without interest and (ii) this Section 10.06 shall not apply to any payments made in accordance with the express provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. Each Lender that purchases a participation in the Obligations pursuant to this Section shall from and after the purchase have the right to give all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications under this Agreement with respect to the portion of the Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the purchasing Lender were the original owner of the Obligations purchased. Borrower expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements and agrees that any Lender holding a participation in an Obligation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim with respect to the participation as fully as if Lender were the original owner of the Obligation purchased.

 

10.07       No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.

 

(a)       No failure by any Lender or Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any Lender or Administrative Agent in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege under any Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

 

(b)       The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein or therein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Law. Any decision by Administrative Agent or any Lender not to require payment of any interest (including interest at the Default Rate), fee, cost or other amount payable under any Loan Document or to calculate any amount payable by a particular method on any occasion shall in no way limit or be deemed a waiver of Administrative Agent’s or such Lender’s right to require full payment thereof, or to calculate an amount payable by another method that is not inconsistent with this Agreement, on any other or subsequent occasion.

 

(c)       Except with respect to Section 9.09, the terms and conditions of Section 9 are for the sole benefit of the Agents and Lenders.

 

10.08       Usury. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excessive interest shall be applied to the principal of the Outstanding Obligations or, if it exceeds the unpaid principal, refunded to Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged or received by Administrative Agent or any Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread, in equal or unequal parts, the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations.

 

 

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10.09       Counterparts, Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation Assignment and Assumptions, amendments or other modifications, Requests for Extensions of Credit, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.

 

10.10       Integration. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents and any letter agreements referred to herein, comprises the complete and integrated agreement of the parties regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on the subject matter hereof. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall control and govern; provided that the inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in favor of Administrative Agent or Lenders in any other Loan Document shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement. Each Loan Document was drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof. THE LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES THERETO AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS BY SUCH PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN SUCH PARTIES.

 

10.11       Nature of Lenders’ Obligations. Nothing contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document and no action taken by Administrative Agent or Lenders or any of them pursuant hereto or thereto may, or may be deemed to, make Lenders a partnership, an association, a joint venture or other entity, either among themselves or with Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower. Each Lender’s obligation to make any Extension of Credit pursuant hereto is several and not joint or joint and several. A default by any Lender will not increase the Commitments attributable to any other Lender.

 

10.12       Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document shall survive the execution and delivery thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by Administrative Agent and each Lender, notwithstanding any investigation made by Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf.

 

10.13       Indemnity by Borrower. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, Borrower agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each Administrative Agent-Related Person, each other Agent, each Person identified on the cover page of this Agreement as a Joint

 

 

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Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner and each Lender and their respective Affiliates and their and their Affiliates’ respective directors, officers, agents, attorneys and employees (collectively the “Indemnitees”) from and against: (i) any and all claims, demands, actions or causes of action that are asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person relating directly or indirectly to a claim, demand, action or cause of action that such Person asserts or may assert against Borrower, any of its Affiliates or any of its officers or directors; (ii) any and all claims, demands, actions or causes of action arising out of or relating to the Loan Documents, the Commitments, the Loans, the use or contemplated use of the proceeds of any Extension of Credit, or the relationship of Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders under this Agreement; (iii) any administrative or investigative proceeding by any Governmental Authority arising out of or related to a claim, demand, action or cause of action described in clauses (i) or (ii) above; and (iv) any and all liabilities (including liabilities under indemnities), losses, costs or expenses (including Attorney Costs (limited to one law firm for Lenders unless Lenders have differing interests or defenses that preclude the engagement of one law firm to represent Lenders)), that any Indemnitee suffers or incurs as a result of the assertion of any foregoing claim, demand, action, cause of action or proceeding, or as a result of the preparation of any defense in connection with any foregoing claim, demand, action, cause of action or proceeding, in all cases, including settlement costs incurred with the prior written consent of Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), whether or not arising out of the negligence of an Indemnitee, and whether or not an Indemnitee is a party to such claim, demand, action, cause of action or proceeding (all the foregoing, collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”); provided that no Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification for any Indemnified Liability to the extent (i) it is found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from (x) the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee or (y) a material breach by such Indemnitee of its express obligations under this Agreement; or (ii) not resulting from an act or omission of Borrower or any of its Affiliates in respect of a claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding by one Lender against another Lender (in each case, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding each of the Agents and each Person identified on the cover page of this Agreement as a Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner in each case in its capacity as such). In no event shall any Indemnitee be liable for any damages arising from the use by unauthorized Persons of information or other materials sent through electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems that are intercepted by such Persons except to the extent it is found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee. This Section 10.13 shall not apply with respect to taxes other than any taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-tax claim. The agreements in this Section shall survive repayment of all Obligations.

 

10.14       Nonliability of Lenders. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(a)       Any inspections of any property of Borrower made by or through Administrative Agent or Lenders are for purposes of administration of the Loan Documents only, and Borrower is not entitled to rely upon the same (whether or not such inspections are at the expense of Borrower);

 

(b)       By accepting or approving anything required to be observed, performed, fulfilled or given to Administrative Agent or Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, neither Administrative Agent nor Lenders shall be deemed to have warranted or represented the sufficiency, legality, effectiveness or legal effect of the same, or of any term, provision or condition thereof, and such acceptance or approval thereof shall not constitute a warranty or representation to anyone with respect thereto by Administrative Agent or Lenders;

 

(c)       The relationship between Borrower and Administrative Agent and Lenders is, and shall at all times remain, solely that of borrower and lenders; neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender undertakes or assumes any responsibility or duty to Borrower or its Affiliates to select, review, inspect, supervise, pass judgment upon or inform Borrower or its Affiliates of any matter in connection

 

 

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with their property or the operations of Borrower or its Affiliates; Borrower and its Affiliates shall rely entirely upon their own judgment with respect to such matters; and any review, inspection, supervision, exercise of judgment or supply of information undertaken or assumed by Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with such matters is solely for the protection of Administrative Agent and Lenders and neither Borrower nor any other Person is entitled to rely thereon;

 

(d)       In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and each Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the financing transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Loan Party hereby agrees not to assert any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with the financing transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(e)       Administrative Agent and Lenders, and their Affiliates, may have economic interests that conflict with those of Borrower and its Affiliates; and

 

(f)       Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible or liable to any Person for any loss, damage, liability or claim of any kind relating to injury or death to Persons or damage to property caused by the actions, inaction or negligence of Borrower and/or its Affiliates and Borrower hereby indemnifies and holds Administrative Agent and Lenders harmless from any such loss, damage, liability or claim.

 

10.15       No Third Parties Benefitted. This Agreement is made for the purpose of defining and setting forth certain obligations, rights and duties of Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders in connection with the Extensions of Credit, and is made for the sole benefit of Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders, Administrative Agent’s and Lenders’ successors and permitted assigns. Except as provided in Section 10.04, no other Person shall have any rights of any nature hereunder or by reason hereof.

 

10.16       Severability. Any provision of the Loan Documents that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective and severable to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions thereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Administrative Agent, Lenders and Borrower agree to negotiate, in

 

 

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good faith, the terms of a replacement provision as similar to the severed provision as may be possible and be legal, valid, and enforceable.

 

10.17       Confidentiality. Administrative Agent and each Lender shall use any confidential non-public information concerning Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates that is furnished to Administrative Agent or such Lender by or on behalf of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with the Loan Documents (collectively, “Confidential Information”) solely for the purpose of administering and enforcing the Loan Documents, and it will hold the Confidential Information in confidence and will not disclose, directly or indirectly, such information to any Person, except (a) to their affiliates or any of their or their affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, auditors, counsel, advisors, or representatives (collectively, the “Representatives”) who need to know such information for the purposes set forth in this Section and who have been advised of and acknowledge their obligation to keep such information confidential and limit the use of such information in accordance with this Section, (b) to any Eligible Assignee to which such Lender has assigned or desires to assign an interest or participation in the Loan Documents or the Obligations or to any direct or indirect contractual counterparties (or the professional advisors thereto) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to Borrower and its obligations, provided that any such foregoing recipient of such Confidential Information agrees to keep such Confidential Information confidential and limit the use of such Confidential Information as specified herein, (c) to any governmental agency or regulatory body (including self-regulatory bodies) having or claiming to have authority to regulate or oversee any aspect of Administrative Agent’s or such Lender’s business or that of their Representatives in connection with the exercise of such authority or claimed authority (in which case such Lender shall, except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority, use reasonable efforts to promptly notify Borrower, in advance, to the extent lawfully permitted to do so), (d) to the extent necessary or appropriate to enforce any right or remedy or in connection with any claims asserted by or against Administrative Agent or such Lender or any of their Representatives, (e) pursuant to any subpoena or any similar legal process (in which case such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to promptly notify Borrower, in advance, to the extent permitted by Law), (f) to other Lenders and (g) with the consent of Borrower. For purposes hereof, the term “Confidential Information” shall not include information that (w) pertains to this Agreement (but not any other information concerning Borrower) routinely provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry, (x) is in Administrative Agent’s or a Lender’s possession prior to its being provided by or on behalf of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, provided that such information is not known by Administrative Agent or such Lender to be subject to another confidentiality agreement with, or other legal or contractual obligation of confidentiality to, Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, (y) is or becomes publicly available (other than through a breach hereof by Administrative Agent or such Lender), or (z) becomes available to Administrative Agent or such Lender on a nonconfidential basis, provided that the source of such information was not known by Administrative Agent or such Lender to be bound by a confidentiality agreement or other legal or contractual obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information.

 

Each of the Lenders confirms that it is aware of the terms and requirements of Practice Statement No. 25 (Debt Syndication during Offer Periods) published by the Panel on 17 June 2009. This section 10.17 is without prejudice to any undertakings or confirmations given by the Lenders to the Borrower in connection with, or for the purposes of ensuring compliance with Practice Statement No. 25 (Debt Syndication during Offer Periods).

 

10.18       Headings. Section headings in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and are not part of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents for any other purpose.

 

 

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10.19       Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence of the Loan Documents.

 

10.20       Status of Lenders and Administrative Agent. (a) (i) Each Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter if requested in writing by Borrower or Administrative Agent, executed originals of IRS Form W-9, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax; (ii) Each Lender organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, on or prior to the date of this Agreement in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages hereof and on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Lender in the case of each other Lender, and from time to time thereafter if requested in writing by Borrower or Administrative Agent, shall provide Borrower and Administrative Agent (but only so long as such Lender remains lawfully able to do so) with (x) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, certifying that such Lender is entitled to benefits under an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party which reduces the rate of withholding tax on payments of interest, IRS Form W-8ECI, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, certifying that the income receivable pursuant to the Loan Documents is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, or IRS Form W-8EXP, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, (y) if such Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and intends to claim an exemption from United States withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest,” IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, and a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 representing that such Lender is not a bank for purposes of Section 881(c) of the Code, is not a ten-percent shareholder (within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code) of Borrower, and is not a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) or (z) to the extent such Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner. Thereafter and from time to time, each such Person shall (i) promptly submit to Administrative Agent such additional duly completed and signed copies of one of such forms (or such successor forms as shall be adopted from time to time by the relevant United States taxing authorities) as may then be available under then current United States laws and regulations to avoid, or such evidence as is satisfactory to Borrower and Administrative Agent of any available exemption from or reduction of, United States withholding taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Person by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) promptly notify Administrative Agent of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction and (iii) take such steps as shall not be materially disadvantageous to it, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, and as may be reasonably necessary (including the re-designation of its Lending Office) to avoid any requirement of applicable Laws that Borrower make any deduction or withholding for taxes from amounts payable to such Person. If such Person fails to deliver the above forms or other documentation, then Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Person an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax imposed by Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code, without reduction. If any Governmental Authority asserts that Administrative Agent did not properly withhold any tax or other amount from payments made in respect of such Person, such Person shall indemnify Administrative Agent therefor, including all penalties and interest, any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts payable to Administrative Agent under this Section, and costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs) of Administrative Agent. The obligation of Lenders under this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations and the resignation of Administrative Agent.

 

 

70 

(b)       If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent as may be necessary for Borrower and Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Subsection 10.20(b), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall promptly update and deliver such form or certification to Borrower and Administrative Agent or promptly notify Borrower and Administrative Agent in writing of its legal ineligibility to do so.

 

(c)       The Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower two executed originals of whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(i) if the Administrative Agent is a U.S. Person, IRS Form W-9 certifying to such Administrative Agent’s exemption from U.S. federal backup withholding or

 

(ii) if the Administrative Agent is not a U.S. Person,

 

(A) IRS Form W-8ECI with respect to payments received for its own account and

 

(B) IRS Form W-8IMY with respect to any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent for the account of others, certifying that it is a U.S. branch of a foreign bank or insurance company described in Regulations section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv)(A) that is a participating FFI (including a reporting Model 2 FFI), registered deemed-compliant FFI (including a reporting Model 1 FFI), or NFFE that is using this form as evidence of its agreement with the withholding agent to be treated as a U.S. person with respect to any payments associated with this withholding certificate.

 

The Administrative Agent agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

10.21       Removal and Replacement of Lenders.

 

(a)       In the event that any Lender (i) requests compensation under Sections 3.01 or 3.04, (ii) becomes a Defaulting Lender or (iii) does not consent to any proposed amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that requires the consent of each of the Lenders or each of the Lenders affected thereby (in the case of this clause (iii), so long as the consent of the Required Lenders to such amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver has been obtained), Borrower may, upon notice to such Lender and Administrative Agent, remove or replace such Lender by (A) non-ratably terminating such Lender’s Commitment and/or (B) causing such Lender to assign its rights and obligations under this

 

 

71 

Agreement pursuant to Section 10.04(b) to one or more other Lenders or eligible assignees procured by Borrower and otherwise reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent; provided that such assigning Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal, interest and fees owed to such Lender from the assignee Lender or Borrower or such lesser amount as may be agreed with such Lender. Borrower shall, in the case of a termination of such Lender’s Commitment and prepayment of its Loans pursuant to clause (A) preceding, (x) pay in full all principal, interest, fees and other amounts owing to such Lender through the date of termination and prepayment (including any amounts payable pursuant to Section 3), except as may otherwise be agreed with such Lender and (y) release such Lender from its obligations under the Loan Documents from and after the date of termination. Borrower shall, in the case of an assignment pursuant to clause (B) preceding, cause to be paid the assignment fee payable to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.04(c). Any such Lender whose Commitment or Loan is being assigned shall, upon payment of (i) all amounts owed to it pursuant to the proviso in clause (B) preceding and (ii) the assignment fee as described in the preceding sentence, be deemed to have executed and delivered an Assignment and Assumption covering such Lender’s Commitment or Loan, as applicable. Administrative Agent shall distribute an amended Schedule 2.01, which shall be deemed incorporated into this Agreement, to reflect adjustments to the Lenders and their Commitments.

 

(b)       If fees cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitments of a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.14(a), such fees shall not be paid to the non-Defaulting Lenders (or replacement Lenders in respect of any fees accruing prior to such replacement Lender becoming a Lender hereunder).

 

(c) This Section shall supersede any provisions in Section 10.01 to the contrary.

 

10.22       Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers.

 

(a)       THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY DISPUTE, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT (WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)       Each party to this Agreement irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(i) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(ii) agrees that a final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court may be enforced in any other court to whose jurisdiction the applicable party is or may be subject, by suit upon judgment;

 

(iii) consents that any such action or proceeding may only be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

 

72 

(iv) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to it at its address provided for in Section 10.02;

 

(v) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; and

 

(vi) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 10.22 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages; provided the waiver set forth in this clause (vi) shall not affect any obligation of Borrower under Section 10.13.

 

10.23       Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

10.24       USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender hereby notifies Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “PATRIOT Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Borrower and Guarantors, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and Guarantors and other information that will allow such Lender to identify Borrower and Guarantors in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.

 

10.25       Judgment Currency.

 

(a)       If for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in one currency into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency in the city in which it normally conducts its foreign exchange operation for the first currency on the Business Day preceding the day on which final judgment is given.

 

(b)       The obligation of Borrower in respect of any sum due from it to any Lender or Agent hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Lender of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency such Lender may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such Lender in the Agreement Currency, Borrower agrees notwithstanding any such judgment to indemnify such Lender against such loss, and if the amount of the Agreement Currency so

 

 

73 

purchased exceeds the sum originally due to any Lender, such Lender agrees to remit to Borrower such excess.

 

10.26       Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a)       the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

(b)       the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK.
SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW.]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.

 

 

  Comcast Corporation
       
       
  By: /s/William E. Dordelman
    Name:    William E. Dordelman
    Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer


 

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  Bank OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent
     
     
  By: /s/Melissa Mullis
  Name: Melissa Mullis
  Title: Assistant Vice President
     
     
  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender
     
     
  By: /s/Bandon Bolio
  Name: Brandon Bolio
  Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 


 

 

  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender and Syndication Agent
       
       
  By: /s/ Nicholas Grocholski
    Name: Nicholas Grocholski
    Title: Director

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS
  BRANCH, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/William O’Daly
    Name: William O’Daly
    Title Authorized Signatory
       
       
       
  By:   /s/Brady Bingham
    Name: Brady Bingham
    Title: Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  MIZUHO BANK, LTD., as a Lender
       
       
  By:  /s/Raymond Ventura
    Name: Raymond Ventura
    Title: Managing Director

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  MUFG BANK, LTD., as a Lender
       
       
  By:  /s/Matthew Hillman
    Name: Matthew Hillman
    Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

  SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/James D. Weinstein
    Name: James D. Weinstein
    Title: Managing Director

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  BNP PARIBAS, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/Christopher Sked
    Name: Christopher Sked
    Title: Managing Director
       
       
  By: /s/Karim Remtoula
    Name: Karim Remtoula
    Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as a Lender
       
       
  By:  /s/Allan Kortan
    Name: Allan Kortan
    Title: Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
       
       
  By: /s/Savo Bozic
    Name: Savo Bozic
    Title: Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  COMMERZBANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/ Paolo de Alessandrini
    Name: Paolo de Alessandrini
    Title: Managing Director
       
       
  By: /s/Mathew Ward
    Name: Mathew Ward
    Title: Director

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  DNB CAPITAL LLC, as a Lender
       
       
  By:  /s/Philip F. Kurpiewski
    Name: Philip F. Kurpiewski
    Title: Senior Vice President
       
       
  By:  /s/ Kristi Birkeland Sorensen
    Name: Kristi Birkeland Sorensen
    Title: Senior Vice President

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  SOCIETE GENERALE, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/ Michael Finkelman
    Name: Michael Finkelman
    Title: Managing Director

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/ John M. DiNapoli
    Name: John M. DiNapoli
    Title: Senior Vice President

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

  U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/ Garret Komjathy
    Name:  Garret Komjathy
    Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

[Signature Page to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

Schedule A

 

Asset Monetization Transactions

 

Description:

 

1.CENTAUR FUNDING CORP (Vodafone Preferred)

 

S-1 

 

Schedule 2.01

 

Commitments

 

Name of Lender Applicable Percentage 3-Year Tranche Term Loans 5-Year Tranche Term Loans Total
Bank of America, N.A. 17.500000000% £525,000,000.00 £700,000,000.00 £1,225,000,000.00
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association 13.000000000% £390,000,000.00 £520,000,000.00 £910,000,000.00
Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch 9.000000000% £270,000,000.00 £360,000,000.00 £630,000,000.00
Mizuho Bank, Ltd. 9.000000000% £270,000,000.00 £360,000,000.00 £630,000,000.00
MUFG Bank, Ltd. 9.000000000% £270,000,000.00 £360,000,000.00 £630,000,000.00
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation 9.000000000% £270,000,000.00 £360,000,000.00 £630,000,000.00
BNP Paribas 5.500000000% £165,000,000.00 £220,000,000.00 £385,000,000.00
Royal Bank of Canada 5.500000000% £165,000,000.00 £220,000,000.00 £385,000,000.00

 

S-2 

 

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch 5.500000000% £165,000,000.00 £220,000,000.00 £385,000,000.00
Commerzbank AG, New York Branch 3.400000000% £102,000,000.00 £136,000,000.00 £238,000,000.00
DNB Capital LLC 3.400000000% £102,000,000.00 £136,000,000.00 £238,000,000.00
Societe Generale 3.400000000% £102,000,000.00 £136,000,000.00 £238,000,000.00
PNC Bank, National Association 3.400000000% £102,000,000.00 £136,000,000.00 £238,000,000.00
U.S. Bank National Association 3.400000000% £102,000,000.00 £136,000,000.00 £238,000,000.00
Total 100.000000000% £3,000,000,000.00 £4,000,000,000.00 £7,000,000,000.00

 

S-3 

 

Schedule 6.08

 

Unrestricted Subsidiaries

 

1.Comcast Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries (except Comcast Cable Communications, LLC and its subsidiaries)

 

2.Comcast Navy Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries, including NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc.

 

3.NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc. (f/k/a Navy Holdings, Inc.)

 

4.Comcast Contribution Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries

 

5.Comcast Navy Contribution, LLC and its subsidiaries

 

a.NBCUniversal, LLC and its subsidiaries (except for NBCUniversal Media, LLC)

 

6.Comcast Navy Acquisition, LLC and its subsidiaries

 

7.Comcast CSA Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries

 

8.NBCUniversal Asia, LLC and its subsidiaries (Universal Studios Japan)

 

9.Subsidiaries of Universal City Studios Productions LLLP that are solely and specifically related to Comcast’s ownership and development of a theme park in Beijing China and all of their current and future subsidiaries. Those entities existing as of the date hereof are: (i) Universal Studios Recreation China Planning Services LLC, (ii) Universal Beijing WFOE Holding LLC, (iii) Universal Beijing Servicer Holding LLC, (iv) Universal Beijing Development Services LLC, (v) Universal Beijing Owner Holding LLC and (vi) Universal Beijing Services LLC

 

10.AWTV, LLC and its subsidiaries

 

 

 

Note: “subsidiaries” includes all current and future subsidiaries

 

S-4 

 

Schedule 10.02

 

Addresses for Notices

 

If to Borrower, to:

 

Comcast Corporation
One Comcast Center
Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Attention: General Counsel
Telephone: (215) 286-7564
Facsimile: (215) 286-7794
E-mail: corporate_legal@comcast.com

 

If to Administrative Agent, to:

 

Administrative Agent’s Office

(for payments and Requests for Credit Extensions): 

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent 

Building C, TX2-984-03-23 

2380 Performance Drive 

Richardson, TX 75082 

Attention: Jared McClure 

Tel: 469-201-4418 

Facsimile: 214-290-9413 

Email: jared.l.mcclure@baml.com

 

Other Notices as Administrative Agent

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent 

900 W. Trade St., 6th Floor 

NC1-026-06-03 

Charlotte, NC 28255 

Attention: Melissa Mullis 

Tel: 980-386-9372 

Facsimile: 704-409-0617 

Email: melissa.mullis@baml.com

 

S-5 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

 

[Attached]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

 

made by

 

COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC

 

NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC

 

and the other Subsidiaries from time to time parties hereto

 

in favor of

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. as Administrative Agent

 

Dated as of April 25, 2018 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

Section 1 DEFINED TERMS 2
1.01.   Definitions 2
1.02.   Other Definitional Provisions 3
Section 2 GUARANTEE 3
2.01.   Guarantee 3
2.02.   Right of Contribution 4
2.03.   No Subrogation 4
2.04.   Amendments, etc. with respect to the Borrower Obligations 5
2.05.   Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional 5
2.06.   Reinstatement 6
2.07.   Payments 6
Section 3 MISCELLANEOUS 6
3.01.   Amendments in Writing 6
3.02.   Notices 6
3.03.   No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies 6
3.04.   Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification 7
3.05.   Successors and Assigns 7
3.06.   Set-Off 7
3.07.   Counterparts 7
3.08.   Severability 8
3.09.   Section Headings 8
3.10.   Integration 8
3.11.   GOVERNING LAW 8
3.12.   Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers 8
3.13.   Acknowledgements 9
3.14.   Additional Guarantors 9
3.15.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 9

 

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1Notice Addresses

 

ANNEXES

 

Annex 1Form Assumption Agreement

 

 

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of April 25, 2018, made by each of the signatories hereto, in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the banks and other financial institutions or entities (the “Lenders”) from time to time parties to the Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among COMCAST CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have severally agreed to make extensions of credit to the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower is a member of an affiliated group of companies that includes each Guarantor;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and Guarantors are engaged in related businesses, and each Guarantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the making of the extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Credit Agreement that the Guarantors shall have executed and delivered this Agreement to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Borrower thereunder, each Guarantor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as follows:

 

SECTION 1

DEFINED TERMS

 

1.01       Definitions. (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)       The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Agreement”: this Guarantee Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Borrower Obligations”: the collective reference to the unpaid principal of and interest on the Loans made to the Borrower and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower (including, without limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the maturity of the Loans made to it and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the

 

2 

 

Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, the Credit Agreement, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other document made, delivered or given in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing agreements).

 

“Guarantor Obligations”: with respect to any Guarantor, all obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor which may arise under or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 2) or any other Loan Document to which such Guarantor is a party, in each case whether on account of guarantee obligations, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by such Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document).

 

“Guarantors”: the collective reference to each of the signatories hereto and the other entities that may become a party hereto as provided herein (in each case, unless released pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents).

 

“Obligations”: in the case of each Guarantor, its Guarantor Obligations.

 

1.02       Other Definitional Provisions. (a) The words “hereof,” “herein”, “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(b)       The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

SECTION 2

GUARANTEE

 

2.01       Guarantee. (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.01(b), each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns, the prompt and complete payment and performance by the Borrower when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Borrower Obligations.

 

(b)       Anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Guarantor hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in its capacity as Guarantor shall in no event exceed the amount which can be guaranteed by such Guarantor under applicable federal and state laws relating to the insolvency of debtors (after giving effect to the right of contribution established in Section 2.02).

 

(c)       Each Guarantor agrees that the Borrower Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such Guarantor hereunder without

 

3 

 

impairing the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or affecting the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder.

 

(d)       The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall remain in full force and effect until all the Borrower Obligations and the obligations of each Guarantor under the guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall have been satisfied by payment in full (other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations) and all Commitments shall be terminated, notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of the Credit Agreement the Borrower may be free from the Borrower Obligations.

 

(e)       No payment made by the Borrower, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrower, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Borrower Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of any Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such Guarantor in respect of the Borrower Obligations or any payment received or collected from such Guarantor in respect of the Borrower Obligations), remain liable for the Borrower Obligations up to the maximum liability of such Guarantor hereunder until the Borrower Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations) are paid in full and all Commitments are terminated.

 

2.02       Right of Contribution. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that a Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other Guarantor hereunder which has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. For purposes of this Section 2.02, “proportionate share” means, as to any Guarantor, a fraction the numerator of which shall be the net worth of such Guarantor and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate net worth of all Guarantors. Each Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.03. The provisions of this Section 2.02 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

 

2.03       No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment made by any Guarantor hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of any Guarantor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower or any Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Borrower Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Borrower or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders by the Borrower on account of the Borrower Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations) are paid in full and all Commitments are terminated. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Borrower Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations) shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such

 

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Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, if required), to be applied against the Borrower Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as the Administrative Agent may determine.

 

2.04       Amendments, etc. with respect to the Borrower Obligations. Each Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or further assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Borrower Obligations made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be rescinded by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and any of the Borrower Obligations continued, and the Borrower Obligations, or the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Administrative Agent (or the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as the case may be) may deem advisable from time to time, and any collateral security, guarantee or right of offset at any time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Borrower Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by it as security for the Borrower Obligations or for the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or any property subject thereto.

 

2.05       Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional. Each Guarantor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the Borrower Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or acceptance of the guarantee contained in this Section 2; the Borrower Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2; and all dealings between the Borrower and any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2. Each Guarantor waives diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or nonpayment to or upon the Borrower or any of the Guarantors with respect to the Borrower Obligations. Each Guarantor understands and agrees that the guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment without regard to (a) the validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, any of the Borrower Obligations or any collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, (b) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by the Borrower or any other Person against the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or (c) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of the Borrower or such Guarantor) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Borrower for the Borrower Obligations, or of such Guarantor under the guarantee contained in this Section 2, in bankruptcy or in any other instance. When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and remedies as it may have against the Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee for the

 

5 

 

Borrower Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from the Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of the Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve any Guarantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against any Guarantor. For the purposes hereof “demand” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.

 

2.06       Reinstatement. The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Borrower Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

2.07       Payments. Each Guarantor hereby guarantees that payments hereunder will be paid to the Administrative Agent without set-off or counterclaim in the currency otherwise required pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement at the Administrative Agent’s Office.

 

SECTION 3

MISCELLANEOUS

 

3.01       Amendments in Writing. None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement.

 

3.02       Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the Administrative Agent or any Guarantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement; provided that any such notice, request or demand to or upon any Guarantor shall be addressed to such Guarantor at its notice address set forth on Schedule 1.

 

3.03       No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 3.01), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Administrative Agent or such Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.

 

6 

 

3.04       Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification. (a) Each Guarantor agrees to pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its costs and expenses incurred in collecting against such Guarantor under the guarantee contained in Section 2 or otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Guarantor is a party, but solely to the extent such costs and expenses would be reimbursable by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.03 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)       Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save the Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement to the extent the Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to Section 10.03 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(c)       The agreements in this Section 3.04 shall survive repayment of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

3.05       Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their successors and assigns; provided that no Guarantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement (except pursuant to a merger, consolidation or similar transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

3.06       Set-Off. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent and each Lender at any time and from time to time while an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, without notice to such Guarantor or any other Guarantor, any such notice being expressly waived by each Guarantor, to set-off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by the Administrative Agent or such Lender to or for the credit or the account of such Guarantor, or any part thereof in such amounts as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may elect, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent or such Lender hereunder and claims of every nature and description of the Administrative Agent or such Lender against such Guarantor, in any currency, whether arising hereunder, under the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise, as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may elect, whether or not the Administrative Agent or any Lender has made any demand for payment and although such obligations, liabilities and claims may be contingent or unmatured. The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall notify such Guarantor promptly of any such set-off and the application made by the Administrative Agent or such Lender of the proceeds thereof, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of the Administrative Agent and each Lender under this Section 3.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) which the Administrative Agent or such Lender may have.

 

3.07       Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including in “.pdf” form), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

7 

 

3.08       Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

3.09       Section Headings. The Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

 

3.10       Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the agreement of the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.

 

3.11       GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

3.12       Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)       submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(b)       agrees that a final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court may be enforced in any other court to whose jurisdiction the applicable party is or may be subject, by suit upon judgment;

 

(c)       consents that any such action or proceeding may only be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(d)       agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Guarantor at its address referred to in Section 3.02 hereof or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

 

(e)       agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; and

 

(f)       waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages; provided that the waiver set forth in this clause (f)

 

8 

 

shall not affect any obligation of the Borrower or any Guarantor under Section 3.04 of this Agreement.

 

3.13       Acknowledgements. Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a)       it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;

 

(b)       neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be deemed to be in an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship with any Guarantor or any of their Affiliates or have a fiduciary or other implied duty to any Guarantor or any of their Affiliates arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and the relationship between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

 

(c)       no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Guarantors and the Lenders.

 

3.14       Additional Guarantors. Each Subsidiary of the Borrower that executes and delivers an Assumption Agreement in the form of Annex 1 hereto shall become a Guarantor for all purposes of this Agreement, subject in all respects to the provisions of Section 6.08 and 6.10 of the Credit Agreement, which govern the release of Guarantors from this Agreement. If any Person shall be released as a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.08 or 6.10 of the Credit Agreement (as applicable), such Person shall immediately and automatically, without need for further action, cease to be a Guarantor hereunder and shall be, and shall be deemed to be, released from all obligations under and in respect of this Agreement. In connection with the release of any Person as a Guarantor, the Administrative Agent agrees, and the Lenders authorize the Administrative Agent, to execute and deliver documents reasonably requested to evidence such release.

 

3.15       WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

9 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Guarantee Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
 
By:  
  Name:
  Title:

 

 

[Signature Page – Guarantee Agreement – Term Loan Credit Agreement] 

 

 

 

NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC
 
By:  
  Name:
  Title:

 

 

[Signature Page – Guarantee Agreement – Term Loan Credit Agreement] 

 

 

 

Accepted and agreed as of the date first written above:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

 
By:  
  Name:
  Title:

 

 

[Signature Page – Guarantee Agreement – Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

Schedule 1

 

NOTICE ADDRESSES OF GUARANTORS

 

1.       c/o Comcast Corporation
One Comcast Center
Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Attention: General Counsel
Telephone: (215) 286-7564
Facsimile: (215) 286-7794
E-mail: corporate_legal@comcast.com

 

 

 

Annex 1 to
Guarantee Agreement

 

ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of ________________, 201_, made by ______________________________ (the “Additional Guarantor”), in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the banks and other financial institutions or entities (the “Lenders”) parties to the Credit Agreement referred to below. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in such Credit Agreement.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, COMCAST CORPORATION (the “Borrower”), the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are parties to that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the Borrower and certain of its Affiliates (other than the Additional Guarantor) have entered into the Guarantee Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guarantee Agreement”) in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders; and

 

WHEREAS, the Additional Guarantor has agreed to execute and deliver this Assumption Agreement in order to become a party to the Guarantee Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

 

1.       Guarantee Agreement. By executing and delivering this Assumption Agreement, the Additional Guarantor, as provided in Section 3.14 of the Guarantee Agreement, hereby becomes a party to the Guarantee Agreement as a Guarantor thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all obligations and liabilities of a Guarantor thereunder. The information set forth in Annex 1-A hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in Schedule 1 to the Guarantee Agreement.

 

2.       Governing Law. THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Assumption Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

[ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR]
 
By:  
  Name:
  Title:

 

 


 

 

Annex 1-A to
Assumption Agreement

 

 

 

Supplement to Schedule 1

 

NOTICE ADDRESS[ES] OF ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR[S]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF]

 

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF CREDIT

 

Date: ______________, 20__

 

To: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents party thereto.

 

The undersigned Responsible Officer hereby requests (select one):

 

[__] A Borrowing of Loans
[__] A Conversion or Continuation of Loans
 

1.       On ___________________________ (a Business Day).

 

2.       Denominated in the following currency:1

 

In the amount of [£] [$]___________________________.

 

Comprised of ____________________________________.[type of Loan requested]2

 

3.       [[£] [$]]3 of which Loans shall be [3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans][3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans] and [[£] [$]]4 of which Loans shall be [5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans][5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans]5

 

4.       For Eurodollar Rate Loans: with an Interest Period of ___ months6 (or ___ days, if

 

 
1Must be Sterling or Dollars.

 

2Loans denominated in Sterling must be maintained as Eurodollar Rate Loans.

 

3Insert amount.

 

4Insert amount.

 

5Delete as applicable.

 

6One, two, three, six, or if agreed to by each Lender, twelve months.

 

2 

 

for an Interest Period of less than one month).

 

The foregoing request complies with the requirements of Section 2 of the Credit Agreement. If the requested Extension of Credit is a Borrowing of Loans, the undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements will be true on the date of the requested Extension of Credit:

 

(a)       No Major Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the proposed Extension of Credit to be made on such date.

 

3 

 

  COMCAST CORPORATION

 

     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

4 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

[FORM OF]

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

Certificate Date: _____________, 20__

 

Financial Statement Date: _____________, 20__

 

To: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents party thereto.

 

The undersigned Responsible Officer hereby certifies as of the date hereof that he or she is the _____________ of Borrower, and that, as such, he or she is authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate to Administrative Agent on behalf of Borrower, and that:

 

[Use following for fiscal year-end financial statements]

 

1.       Attached hereto as Annex 1 are the year-end audited financial statements of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries required by Section 6.01(a) of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal year of Borrower ended as of the above date, together with the report and opinion of independent certified public accountants required by such section.

 

[Use following for fiscal quarter-end financial statements]

 

1.       Attached hereto as Annex 1 are the unaudited financial statements of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries required by Section 6.01(b) of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal quarter of Borrower ended as of the above date. Such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP as at such date and for such periods, subject only to pro forma adjustments and normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

2.       The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Credit Agreement and has made, or has caused to be made under his supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and conditions (financial or otherwise) of Borrower during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements.

 

3.       A review of the activities of Borrower during such fiscal period has been made under my supervision with a view to determining whether during such fiscal period Borrower performed and observed its Obligations under the Loan Documents, and

 

 

 

[select one:]

 

[to the best knowledge of the undersigned during such fiscal period, Borrower performed and observed each covenant and condition of the Loan Documents applicable to it.]

 

—or—

 

[the following covenants or conditions have not been performed or observed and the following is a list of each such Default or Event of Default and its nature and status:]

 

4.       The financial covenant analyses and information set forth on Annex 2 attached hereto are true and accurate. Such analyses and information set forth the necessary adjustments to exclude the Indebtedness and EBITDA attributed to Unrestricted Subsidiaries and give pro forma effect (in accordance with Section 1.07 of the Credit Agreement) to Material Acquisitions and Material Dispositions made during the period covered thereby.

 

2 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate as of the date first above written.

 

  COMCAST CORPORATION

     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

3 

 

ANNEX 1 TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

[Attached]

 

 

 

ANNEX 2 TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

 

FINANCIAL COVENANT ANALYSES AND INFORMATION

 

 

[Set forth detailed calculations]

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

[FORM OF]

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

This Assignment and Assumption (this “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into between the Assignor named below (the “Assignor”) and the Assignee named below (the “Assignee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Term Loan Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by Administrative Agent below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit, guarantees, and swingline loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Assignment and Assumption, the Assignor acknowledges and agrees that, (i) in connection with any assignment of Commitments on or prior to the Certain Funds Termination Date by a Lender to any of its Affiliates, the Assignor shall not be relieved of its obligations (as in effect immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment) to fund Loans in respect of its Commitments pursuant to the Credit Agreement without the prior written consent of Borrower (in its sole discretion) and (ii) while any 3-Year Tranche Term Commitments and/or 5-Year Tranche Term Commitments are outstanding, (x) any assignment of 3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans and/or 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans without a corresponding assignment of the pro rata amount of 3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans or 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans, as applicable, and the 3-Year Tranche Term Commitments and/or 5-Year Tranche Term Commitments, as applicable or (y) any assignment of 3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans and/or 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loans without a corresponding assignment of the pro rata amount of 3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans or 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loans, as applicable, and the 3-Year Tranche Term Commitments and/or 5-Year Tranche Term Commitments, as applicable, shall not be effective.

 

1. Assignor:    

 

 

 

 

2. Assignee:    
       
       
3. Borrower(s):    
       
4. Administrative Agent: Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement
       
5. Credit Agreement: The Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of April 25, 2018 among Comcast Corporation, the Lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents party thereto
       
6.  Assigned Interest:    

 

Facility Assigned7 Aggregate Amount of Commitment/Loans for all Lenders Amount of Commitment/Loans Assigned Percentage Assigned of Commitment/Loans8
  [£][$] [£][$] %
  [£][$] [£][$] %
  [£][$] [£][$] %

 

Effective Date: ______________, 20_--_ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

 

The Assignee agrees to deliver to Administrative Agent a completed administrative questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about Borrower, the Loan Parties and their Affiliates or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the Assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

 

 

 

 

7Fill in either 3-Year Tranche Term Commitment, 3-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loan, 3-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loan, 5-Year Tranche Term Commitment, 5-Year Sterling Tranche Term Loan or 5-Year Dollar Tranche Term Loan (as applicable).

 

8Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders.

  

 

 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

  ASSIGNOR
       
     
  NAME OF ASSIGNOR
       
       
  By:    
    Title:  
       
       
  ASSIGNEE
       
     
  NAME OF ASSIGNEE
       
       
  By:    
    Title:  

 

 

 

 

Consented to and Accepted:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
  as Administrative Agent  
     
     
By    
  Title:  
     
     
     
Consented to:9
     
COMCAST CORPORATION,
  as Borrower  
     
     
By    
  Title:  
     

 

 

9Must be included for assignments on or prior to the Certain Funds Termination Date (other than assignments by a Lender to any of its affiliates) (see Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement). After the Certain Funds Termination Date, include if Borrower consent is required under the terms of Section 10.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

 

ANNEX 1 TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of April 25, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”), and the other agents party thereto.

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

1. Representations and Warranties.

 

1.1 Assignor. Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of Borrower, any of its respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by Borrower, any of its respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

1.2. Assignee. Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender (including that it be an Eligible Assignee and that it otherwise satisfy the requirements set forth in Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement), (iii) it is capable of extending credit in all Alternative Currencies provided for under the Credit Agreement, (iv) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 thereof, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on Administrative Agent or any other Lender and (vi) if it is a foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 10.20), duly completed and executed by the Assignee and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

 

 

2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by email or telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

[RESERVED]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-1

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the other agents party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished Administrative Agent and Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform Borrower and Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished Borrower and Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]

 

By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Date: ________ __, 20__

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-2

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the other agents party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
 
By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Date: ________ __, 20__

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-3

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the other agents party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E from each of such partner's/member's beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
 
By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Date: ________ __, 20__

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-4

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the other agents party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished Administrative Agent and Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E from each of such partner's/member's beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform Borrower and Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished Borrower and Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
 
By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Date: ________ __, 20__

 

 

 

EXHIBIT G

 

FORM OF

 

TARGET ACQUISITION CERTIFICATE

 

[ ], 2018

 

Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”); the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

I, [NAME], Responsible Officer of Borrower, do hereby certify, in my capacity as a Responsible Officer and not in my individual capacity and without personal liability, that all conditions to the consummation of the Target Acquisition have been satisfied, treated as satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 7.07(a) of the Credit Agreement (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any condition to any Offer or Scheme requiring that the Target Acquisition has been completed).

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this certificate on the date first above written.

 

  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

  

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

364-DAY BRIDGE CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

among

 

COMCAST CORPORATION

 

The Financial Institutions Party Hereto

 

Bank OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

 

and

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Syndication Agent

 

 

Dated as of April 25, 2018

 

 

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

AND WELLS FARGO SECURITIES LLC,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS 1
1.01   Defined Terms 1
1.02   Use of Certain Terms 23
1.03   Accounting Terms 23
1.04   Rounding 24
1.05   Exhibits and Schedules 24
1.06   References to Agreements and Laws 24
1.07   Pro Forma Calculations 24
1.08   Rates 25
SECTION 2 THE COMMITMENTS AND EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT 25
2.01   Amount and Terms of Commitments 25
2.02   Procedure for Borrowings 25
2.03   [Reserved] 26
2.04   [Reserved] 26
2.05   Reduction or Termination of Commitments 26
2.06   Prepayments and Repayments of Loans 27
2.07   Documentation of Loans 27
2.08   Continuation Option 28
2.09   Interest 29
2.10   Fees 29
2.11   Computation of Interest and Fees 29
2.12   Making Payments 30
2.13   Funding Sources 31
2.14   Defaulting Lenders 31
2.15   Increase in Aggregate Commitments 31
SECTION 3 TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY 32
3.01   Taxes 32
3.02   Illegality 34
3.03   Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rates 35
3.04   Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy 36
3.05   Breakfunding Costs 37
3.06   Matters Applicable to all Requests for Compensation 37
3.07   Survival 37
SECTION 4 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT 38
4.01   Conditions Precedent to Effective Date 38
4.02   Conditions Precedent to Borrowings 39
4.03   Determinations Under Sections 4.01 and 4.02 39

 

i

 

Page

 

4.04   Actions by Lenders During Certain Funds Period 39
SECTION 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 40
5.01   Existence and Qualification; Compliance with Laws 40
5.02   Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations 40
5.03   No Legal Bar 41
5.04   Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect 41
5.05   Litigation 41
5.06   Use of Proceeds 41
5.07   Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions 41
5.08   Target Acquisition Documents 42
SECTION 6 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS 42
6.01   Financial Statements 42
6.02   Certificates, Notices and Other Information 42
6.03   Payment of Taxes 43
6.04   Preservation of Existence 44
6.05   Compliance With Laws 44
6.06   Inspection Rights 44
6.07   Keeping of Records and Books of Account 44
6.08   Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries 44
6.09   Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions 45
6.10   Guarantors 45
6.11   Scheme and Offer 45
SECTION 7 NEGATIVE COVENANTS 46
7.01   Liens 46
7.02   Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Indebtedness 47
7.03   Fundamental Changes 47
7.04   ERISA 48
7.05   Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions 48
7.06   Financial Covenant 48
7.07   Scheme and Offer 48
SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES 49
8.01   Events of Default 49
8.02   Remedies Upon Event of Default 50
8.03   Clean-Up Period 51
SECTION 9 THE AGENTS 51
9.01   Appointment 51
9.02   Delegation of Duties 52
9.03   Exculpatory Provisions 52
9.04   Reliance by Administrative Agent 52

 

ii

 

Page

 

9.05   Notice of Default 52
9.06   Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders 53
9.07   Indemnification 53
9.08   Agent in Its Individual Capacity 53
9.09   Successor Administrative Agent 54
9.10   Syndication Agent 54
9.11   Certain ERISA Matters 54
SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS 56
10.01   Amendments; Consents 56
10.02   Requisite Notice; Electronic Communications 57
10.03   Attorney Costs and Expenses 59
10.04   Binding Effect; Assignment 59
10.05   Set-off 61
10.06   Sharing of Payments 62
10.07   No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies 62
10.08   Usury 63
10.09   Counterparts, Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents 63
10.10   Integration 63
10.11   Nature of Lenders’ Obligations 64
10.12   Survival of Representations and Warranties 64
10.13   Indemnity by Borrower 64
10.14   Nonliability of Lenders 65
10.15   No Third Parties Benefitted 66
10.16   Severability 66
10.17   Confidentiality 66
10.18   Headings 67
10.19   Time of the Essence 67
10.20   Status of Lenders and Administrative Agent 67
10.21   Removal and Replacement of Lenders 69
10.22   Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers 69
10.23   Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury 70
10.24   USA PATRIOT Act 70
10.25   Judgment Currency 70
10.26   Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions 71

 

iii

 

EXHIBITS
A Form of Guarantee Agreement
B Form of Request for Extension of Credit
C Form of Compliance Certificate
D Form of Assignment and Assumption
E [Reserved]
F-1 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
F-2 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
F-3 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
F-4 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
G Form of Target Acquisition Certificate
SCHEDULES
A Asset Monetization Transactions
2.01 Commitments
6.08 Unrestricted Subsidiaries
10.02 Addresses for Notices

 

iv

 

364-DAY BRIDGE CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This 364-DAY BRIDGE CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of April 25, 2018, by and among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Borrower”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), Bank OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as syndication agent (in such capacity, “Syndication Agent”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that the Lenders and Administrative Agent provide the Bridge Facility (as defined below), and the Lenders and Administrative Agent are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

1.01       Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Acceptance Condition” means, with respect to an Offer, the condition set forth in the Offer Documents with respect to the number of acceptances to an Offer which must be secured to declare such Offer unconditional as to acceptances which shall be more than 50% of the Target shares carrying voting rights.

 

“Acquisition” means (a) any purchase or other acquisition of assets or series of related purchases or other acquisitions of assets by Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including by way of asset or stock purchase, swap or merger) other than from Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the designation by Borrower of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“Acquisition Debt” means any Indebtedness of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, so long as, in the good faith determination of Borrower, such Unrestricted Subsidiary is expected to become a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the consummation of the applicable Material Acquisition) that has been issued for the purpose of financing, in whole or in part, the Target Acquisition or any other acquisition that is a Material Acquisition in accordance with clause (ii) of the definition thereof and any related transactions or series of related transactions in respect of the Target Acquisition or any other acquisition that is a Material Acquisition in accordance with clause (ii) of the definition thereof (including for the purpose of refinancing or replacing all or a portion of any pre-existing Indebtedness of the Target Group or the Person(s) or assets to be acquired); provided that (a) the release of the proceeds thereof to Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, so long as, in the good faith determination of Borrower, such Unrestricted Subsidiary is expected to become a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the consummation of such Material Acquisition) is contingent upon the consummation of the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition and, pending such release, such proceeds are held in escrow (and, if the definitive agreement (or, in the case of a tender offer or similar transaction, the definitive offer document) for the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition is terminated prior to the consummation thereof or if the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition is otherwise not consummated by the date specified in the

 

 

 2

definitive documentation relating to such Indebtedness, such proceeds shall be promptly applied to satisfy and discharge all obligations of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, so long as, in the good faith determination of Borrower, such Unrestricted Subsidiary is expected to become a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the consummation of such Material Acquisition) in respect of such Indebtedness) or (b) such Indebtedness contains a “special mandatory redemption” provision (or other similar provision) or otherwise permits such Indebtedness to be redeemed or prepaid if the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition is not consummated by the date specified in the definitive documentation relating to such Indebtedness (and if the definitive agreement (or, in the case of a tender offer or similar transaction, the definitive offer document) for the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition is terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the consummation of the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition or the Target Acquisition or such Material Acquisition is otherwise not consummated by the date specified in the definitive documentation relating to such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is so redeemed or prepaid within 90 days of such termination or such specified date, as the case may be).

 

“Administrative Agent” means Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent permitted under the Loan Documents.

 

“Administrative Agent’s Office” means Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as Administrative Agent has designated by written notice to Borrower and Lenders.

 

“Administrative Agent-Related Persons” means Administrative Agent (including any successor agent), together with its Affiliates and the officers, directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of such Persons and Affiliates.

 

“Administrative Questionnaire” means, with respect to each Lender, an administrative questionnaire in the form prepared by Administrative Agent and submitted to Administrative Agent (with a copy to Borrower) duly completed by such Lender.

 

“Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in Control of, is Controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common Control with, such Person.

 

“Agents” means the collective reference to Administrative Agent and Syndication Agent.

 

“Agent Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02(e)(ii).

 

“Aggregate Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of such Lender’s Loans then outstanding and such Lender’s Commitments then in effect.

 

“Aggregate Exposure Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender’s Aggregate Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposure of all Lenders at such time.

 

“Agreement” means this 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time.

 

“Agreement Currency” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.25(b).

 

“Announcement Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Certain Funds Period.

 

 

 3

“Annualized EBITDA” means, at any date of determination, EBITDA for the two (2) fiscal quarter periods then most recently ended times two (2).

 

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

 

“Applicable Amount” means the rate per annum, in basis points, set forth under the relevant column heading below based upon the applicable Debt Ratings:

 

Pricing Level Debt Ratings S&P/Moody’s Commitment Fee
1 ≥ A+/A1 9.0
2 A/A2 9.0
3 A-/A3 9.0
4 BBB+/Baa1 11.0
5 ≤ BBB/Baa2 11.0

  

    Initial Closing Date through 89 days after the Initial Closing Date 90 days after the Initial Closing Date through 179 days after the Initial Closing Date 180 days after the Initial Closing Date through 269 days after the Initial Closing Date 270 days after the Initial Closing Date and thereafter
Pricing Level Debt Ratings
S&P/Moody’s
Eurodollar Rate Eurodollar Rate Eurodollar Rate Eurodollar Rate
1 ≥ A+/A1 75.0 100.0 125.0 150.0
2 A/A2 87.5 112.5 137.5 162.5
3 A-/A3 100.0 125.0 150.0 175.0
4 BBB+/Baa1 112.5 137.5 162.5 187.5
5 ≤ BBB/Baa2 125.0 150.0 175.0 200.0

 

As used in this definition, “Debt Rating” means, as of any date of determination, the rating as determined by either S&P or Moody’s (collectively, the “Debt Ratings”) of Borrower’s senior unsecured non-credit-enhanced long-term Indebtedness for borrowed money (the “Subject Debt”); provided that, solely for purposes of determining the Applicable Amount, if a Debt Rating is issued by each of S&P and Moody’s, then the higher of such Debt Ratings shall apply (with Pricing Level 1 being the highest and Pricing Level 5 being the lowest), unless there is a split in Debt Ratings of more than one level, in which case the level that is one level lower than the higher Debt Rating shall apply. The Debt Ratings shall be determined from the most recent public announcement of any Debt Ratings or changes thereto. Any change in the Applicable Amount shall become effective on and as of the date of any public announcement of any Debt Rating that indicates a different Applicable Amount. If the rating system of S&P or Moody’s shall change, Borrower and Administrative Agent shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system and, pending the effectiveness of such amendment (which shall require the approval of Required Lenders), the Debt Rating shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change. If and for so long as either S&P or Moody’s (but not both) has ceased to rate the Subject Debt, then (x) if such rating agency has ceased to issue debt ratings generally, or if Borrower has used commercially reasonable efforts to maintain ratings from both S&P and Moody’s, the Debt Rating shall be deemed to be the Remaining Debt Rating and (y) otherwise,

 

 

 4

the Debt Rating shall be deemed to be one Pricing Level below the Remaining Debt Rating. If and for so long as both S&P and Moody’s have ceased to rate the Subject Debt, then (x) if S&P and Moody’s have ceased to issue debt ratings generally, the Debt Rating shall be the Debt Rating most recently in effect prior to such event and (y) otherwise, the Debt Rating will be the Debt Rating at Pricing Level 5. For the purpose of the foregoing, “Remaining Debt Rating” means, at any time that one of S&P or Moody’s, but not both, is rating the Subject Debt, the rating assigned by such rating agency from time to time.

 

“Applicable Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of the relevant Interest Period, any date that such Loan is prepaid in whole or in part and the maturity date of such Loan; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three months, interest shall also be paid on the Business Day which falls every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period; and (b) as to any other Obligations, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and the maturity date of such Obligation, except as otherwise provided herein.

 

“Applicable Percentage” means as to any Lender at any time, the percentage which the sum of such Lender’s undrawn Commitment and the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Loans then outstanding in respect of the Commitments constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the sum of the undrawn Commitments and the Loans then outstanding in respect of Commitments.

 

“Applicable Time” means New York City time.

 

“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

“Arranger” means each of MLPFS (or any other registered broker-dealer wholly-owned by Bank of America Corporation to which all or substantially all of Bank of America Corporation’s or any of its subsidiaries’ investment banking, commercial lending services or related businesses may be transferred following the date of this Agreement) and WFS, in its respective capacity as a Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner hereunder (collectively, the “Arrangers”).

 

“Asset Monetization Transactions” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Consolidated Total Indebtedness.

 

“Asset Sale” means any non-ordinary course asset sale or other disposition of property by Borrower or any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries (including the issuance or sale of stock of any Subsidiary) to any Person other than Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that any such sales or other dispositions of assets or property generating Net Cash Proceeds not exceeding $250,000,000 for any single transaction or series of related transactions or $1,000,000,000 in the aggregate after the Effective Date shall not constitute Asset Sales.

 

“Assignment and Assumption” means an Assignment and Assumption substantially in the form of Exhibit D or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

“Assuming Lender” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b).

 

“Attorney Costs” means the reasonable and documented or invoiced fees and disbursements of a law firm or other external counsel.

 

 

 5

“Attributable Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Sale-Leaseback Transaction, the present value (discounted at the rate set forth or implicit in the terms of the lease included in such Sale-Leaseback Transaction) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, assessments, utilities, operating and labor costs and other items that do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale-Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended). In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon payment of a penalty, the Attributable Indebtedness shall be the lesser of the Attributable Indebtedness determined assuming termination on the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the Attributable Indebtedness shall also include the amount of the penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date on which it may be so terminated) or the Attributable Indebtedness determined assuming no such termination.

 

“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

 

“Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

“Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A.

 

“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

 

“Bidco” means a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower formed for the purpose of acquiring all or a portion of the Target shares as set forth in the Offer Document.

 

“BLR Group” means: (i) Brian L. Roberts (“BLR”); (ii) his wife; (iii) a lineal descendant of BLR; (iv) the estate of BLR; (v) any trust of which at least one of the trustees is any one or more of BLR, his wife and his lineal descendants, or the principal beneficiaries of which are any one or more of BLR, his wife and his lineal descendants; (vi) any Person which is Controlled by any one or more of the foregoing; and (vii) any group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) of which any of the foregoing is a member.

 

“Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereto.

 

“Borrowing” and “Borrow” each mean a borrowing of Loans hereunder.

 

“Borrower Materials” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02.

 

“Bridge Facility” means the Commitments and the Extensions of Credit made hereunder.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or in London are authorized or required by law to close, and, if the applicable Business Day relates to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, any such day on which dealings are carried out in the applicable offshore Dollar market; provided that the term “Business Day”, when used in

 

 

 6

connection with any Eurodollar Rate Loan, shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in Sterling deposits in the London interbank market.

 

“Cable Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of Borrower (a) that operates a cable communications business or (b) whose sole purpose is to directly or indirectly own or hold an investment in another Person that operates a cable communications business

 

“Certain Funds Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to and including the first to occur of:

 

(a) 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the first to occur of (i) the date that is 15 months from the issuance of the initial Rule 2.7 Announcement (the date of such issuance, the “Announcement Date”) and (ii) September 30, 2019;

 

(b) 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the date upon which an Offer lapses, terminates or is withdrawn (unless, within ten Business Days of such date, Borrower has notified Administrative Agent that it intends to launch a Scheme or a new Offer and a Rule 2.7 Announcement in respect of that Scheme or Offer, as applicable, is issued;

 

(c) 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the date which is twenty-one (21) days after the later of (i) the date on which an Offer has become or has been declared unconditional in all respects and (ii) the date on which an Offer has closed for acceptances (unless, in each case, compulsory squeeze-out procedures for the acquisition of minority shareholdings in the Target pursuant to Part 28 of the Companies Act (“Compulsory Acquisition Procedures”) have commenced before such date);

 

(d) 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the date on which the Target becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower and Borrower has paid all sums due pursuant to or in connection with, the Target Acquisition and any surrender or cancellation of options or awards over the shares of the Target;

 

(e) if the Target Acquisition is effected by way of a Scheme, 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the date falling 14 days after the Scheme Effective Date or, if later, the date immediately following any extension of the period for settlement of consideration provided by the Panel pursuant to the Takeover Code; and

 

(f) 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the date upon which a Scheme lapses, terminates or is withdrawn (or the same is rejected by the High Court or is not approved by the requisite shareholders of the Target (unless, within ten Business Days of such date, Borrower has notified Administrative Agent that it intends to launch an Offer and a Rule 2.7 Announcement in respect of that Offer is issued).

 

“Certain Funds Termination Date” means the date that is the last day of the Certain Funds Period.

 

“Change of Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, as in effect on the date hereof), other than the BLR Group, of Equity Interests representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Borrower; or (b) the occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of Borrower by Persons who were not directors of Borrower on the date of this Agreement or nominated or appointed or approved by the board of directors of Borrower (or by the Nominating Committee of such board).

 

 

 7

“Clean-Up Period Termination Date” means the date that is 120 days after the Final Closing Date.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

“Comcast Cable” means Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Commitment” means, for each Lender, the amount set forth under the heading “Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender became a party to this Agreement, as such amount may be reduced or adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (collectively, the “Commitments”). As of the Effective Date, the aggregate amount of the Commitments of all Lenders is £16,000,000,000.

 

“Commitment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b).

 

“Commitment Increase” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(a).

 

“Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by Administrative Agent or any Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to Section 10.02(e), including through an Electronic System.

 

“Companies Act” means the Companies Act 2006 of the United Kingdom, as amended.

 

“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C, properly completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower.

 

“Compulsory Acquisition Procedures” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Certain Funds Period.

 

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, at any time, total assets minus (a) all franchise rights, goodwill, and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization and (b) all current liabilities (other than current portion of long-term debt), in each case appearing on the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries most recently delivered (prior to such time) pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or, at any time prior to the initial delivery of such consolidated balance sheet pursuant to Section 6.01(a), the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as set forth in Borrower’s annual report most recently filed on Form 10-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, the total Indebtedness for borrowed money of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and Guaranty Obligations of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but excluding, to the extent constituting Indebtedness for borrowed money or Guaranty Obligations in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Indebtedness of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries arising from (A) the asset monetization transactions set forth on Schedule A and any extensions, renewals or replacements thereof and (B) any asset monetization transactions which are recourse only to the assets so monetized and are done on

 

 

 8

substantially similar terms to the asset monetization transactions set forth on Schedule A (collectively, “Asset Monetization Transactions”).

 

“Continuation” and “Continue” mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the continuation of such Eurodollar Rate Loan as a Eurodollar Rate Loan on the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan.

 

“Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

 

“Control” or “Controlled” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Debt Issuance” means the incurrence of Indebtedness for borrowed money by Borrower or any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries, other than (a) any Indebtedness of Borrower or any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries owing to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement or any revolving facility entered into to refinance or replace the Revolving Credit Agreement, (c) any other ordinary course borrowings under working capital, letter of credit or overdraft facilities, (d) issuances of commercial paper and any refinancings thereof, (e) purchase money Indebtedness, (f) Indebtedness with respect to capital leases, (g) borrowings under the Term Loan Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed £7,000,000,000, (h) any refinancing of Indebtedness of Borrower or its Subsidiaries that (i) is callable or matures prior to the date that is 27 months after the Announcement Date, (ii) constitutes (x) refinanced term loans (including, without limitation, the Loans (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement)) or (y) Indebtedness of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (including Indebtedness of Unrestricted Subsidiaries that may be incurred or guaranteed by Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (or, for the avoidance of doubt, refinanced at such Person)) or (iii) occurs within six months of the maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced (in each case of this clause (h), including the payment of any fees or other amounts in respect thereof or otherwise in connection therewith (including any prepayment or redemption premiums and accrued interest thereon)), (i) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000,000 to fund Acquisitions or other investments committed to after March 28, 2018, (j) Indebtedness with respect to contractual obligations in existence on the Effective Date and (k) other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000,000.

 

“Debt Rating” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Applicable Amount.

 

“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States of America or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

“Default” means any event that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

“Default Rate” means an interest rate equal to 2% per annum plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in Section 2.09(a), in each case to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

 

 9

“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that has (a) failed to fund its portion of any Borrowing within three Business Days of the date on which it shall have been required to fund the same (or, in the case of any Borrowing on the Initial Closing Date, on the Initial Closing Date), (b) notified Borrower, Administrative Agent or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or generally under agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) failed, within three Business Days after written request by Administrative Agent (which request shall, in any event, be made promptly upon request by Borrower), to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans; provided that any such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender under this clause (c) upon receipt of such confirmation by Administrative Agent, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, (e)(i) been (or has a parent company, including any intermediate parent company, that has been) adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Person or its assets to be, insolvent or (ii) become the subject of a Bail-in Action or a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian, appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company, including any intermediate parent company, that has become the subject of a Bail-in Action or a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such Bail-in Action or bankruptcy proceeding or appointment, unless in the case of any Lender referred to in this clause (e) Borrower and Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that such Lender intends, and has all approvals required to enable it, to continue to perform its obligations as a Lender hereunder or (f) has otherwise become a “defaulting” lender generally in credit agreements to which it is a party (as reasonably determined by Administrative Agent in consultation with Borrower). For the avoidance of doubt, a Lender shall not be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in such Lender or its parent by a Governmental Authority.

 

“Disposition” means (a) any sale, transfer or other disposition of assets or series of sales, transfers or other disposition of assets by Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including by way of asset or stock sale, swap or merger) other than to Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the designation by Borrower of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Dollar” and “$” means lawful money of the United States of America.

 

“Domestic Restricted Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.

 

“EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person or any income generating assets, for any period, an amount equal to (a) the operating income of such Person or generated by such assets calculated in accordance with GAAP adjusted to exclude gains and losses from unusual or extraordinary items, plus (b) depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges to operating income, in each case for such period, minus (c) any cash payments made during such period in respect of any non-cash charges to operating income accrued during a prior period and added back in determining EBITDA during such prior period pursuant to clause (b) above, plus (d) corporate overhead expenses incurred by Borrower in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000 for any fiscal year of Borrower, plus (e) any and all

 

 

 10

Transaction Costs incurred by Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case whether paid in cash or accrued).

 

“EDGAR” means the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval computer system for the receipt, acceptance, review and dissemination of documents submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in electronic format.  

 

“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

 

“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

“Effective Date” means the date upon which all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 have been satisfied or waived.

 

“Electronic System” means any electronic system, including email, e-fax, Intralinks®, ClearPar®, Debt Domain, Syndtrak, FpML messaging and any other Internet or extranet-based site.

 

“Eligible Assignee” means (i) a Lender; (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender; (iii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof, and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000,000; (iv) a savings and loan association or savings bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof, and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000,000; (v) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or has concluded special lending arrangements with the International Monetary Fund associated with its General Arrangements to Borrow or of the Cayman Islands, or a political subdivision of any such country, and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000,000 so long as such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States or in the country in which it is organized or another country that is described in this clause (v); (vi) the central bank of any country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; or (vii) any other Person approved by Administrative Agent and Borrower.

 

“Equity Interests” means shares, shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.

 

“Equity Issuance” means any issuance by Borrower to any Person of Equity Interests of Borrower, other than (a) any issuance of Equity Interests pursuant to any employee stock plan or other benefit or employee incentive arrangement, (b) any issuance of Equity Interests among Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (c) any issuance by Borrower of Equity Interests as consideration for any Acquisition or any other acquisition or strategic initiative (including, without limitation, the Target Acquisition), (d) any issuance of Equity Interests pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants, (e) any issuance of Equity

 

 

 11

Interests pursuant to the conversion of any debt securities to equity or the conversion of any class equity securities to any other class of equity securities, (f) any issuance of options or warrants relating to its Equity Interests and (g) other issuances of Equity Interests in an amount not to exceed $500,000,000.

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means any person that for purposes of Title I or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code would be deemed at any relevant time to be a “single employer” with Borrower under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

 

“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event,” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the failure of Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Plan or any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the occurrence of any event or condition which could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or the incurrence by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of withdrawal liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA), in “endangered” or “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA), or terminated (within the meaning of Section 4041 of ERISA).

 

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

 

“Eurodollar Rate” means:

 

(a)        for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or successor rate, which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other comparable commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Sterling deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

 

(b)        if the Eurodollar Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement;

 

provided that to the extent a successor rate is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided, further that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the

 

 

 12

Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Eurodollar Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest based on the Eurodollar Rate.

 

“Event of Default” means any of the events specified in Section 8.

 

“Existing Restricted Subsidiaries” means all Subsidiaries of Borrower in existence as such on March 28, 2018 and not designated as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries” pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement as of such date.

 

“Extension of Credit” means a Borrowing or Continuation of Loans and (collectively, the “Extensions of Credit”).

 

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any law, regulation, rule, promulgation, or official agreement implementing an official intergovernmental agreement with respect to such sections or regulations.

 

“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent. If the Federal Funds Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

“Fee Letter” means that certain Fee Letter, dated as of March 28, 2018, by and among Borrower, MLPFS, Bank of America, WFS and Wells Fargo.

 

“Final Closing Date” means the first date on which the conditions set forth in clause (c) (unless Compulsory Acquisition Procedures have commenced before such date), (d) or (e) of the definition of Certain Funds Period shall have occurred.

 

“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis (but subject to changes approved by Borrower’s independent certified public accountants).

 

“Governmental Authority” means (a) any international, foreign, federal, state, county or municipal government, or political subdivision thereof, (b) any governmental or quasi-governmental agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, department, instrumentality, central bank or public body, including the Federal Communications Commission, (c) any state public utilities commission or other

 

 

 13

authority and any federal, state, county, or municipal licensing or franchising authority or (d) any court or administrative tribunal.

 

“Guarantee Agreement” means the Guarantee Agreement to be executed and delivered by each Guarantor, substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 

“Guarantors” means Comcast Cable, NBCU and each Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a party to the Guarantee Agreement pursuant to Section 6.10 (in each case to the extent not released as contemplated by this Agreement).

 

“Guaranty Obligation” means, as to any Person, any (a) guaranty by such Person of Indebtedness of any other Person or (b) legally binding obligation of such Person to purchase or pay (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) Indebtedness of any other Person, or to purchase property, securities, or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment of such Indebtedness or to maintain working capital, equity capital or other financial statement condition of such other Person so as to enable such other Person to pay such Indebtedness; provided, however, that the term Guaranty Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guaranty Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, covered by such Guaranty Obligation or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Person in good faith.

 

“High Court” means the High Court of Justice of England and Wales.

 

“Increase Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(a).

 

“Increased Commitment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b).

 

“Increasing Lender” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b).

 

“Incremental Assumption Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(c).

 

“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (f) all Guaranty Obligations of such Person with respect to Indebtedness of others, (g) all capital lease obligations of such Person, (h) all Attributable Indebtedness under Sale-Leaseback Transactions under which such Person is the lessee and (i) all obligations of such Person as an account party in respect of outstanding letters of credit (whether or not drawn) and bankers’ acceptances; provided, however, that Indebtedness shall not include (i) trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business and (ii) deferred compensation; provided, further, that in the case of any obligation of such Person which is recourse only to certain assets of such Person, the amount of such Indebtedness shall be deemed to be equal to the lesser of the amount of such Indebtedness or the value of the assets to which such obligation is recourse as reflected on the balance sheet of such Person at the time of the incurrence of such obligation; and provided, further, that the amount of any Indebtedness described in clause (e) above shall be the lesser of the amount of the Indebtedness or the fair market value of the property securing such Indebtedness.

 

 

 14

“Indemnified Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.13.

 

“Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.13.

 

“Initial Closing Date” means the date upon which all the conditions precedent in Section 4.02 have been satisfied or waived with respect to the initial Borrowing of Loans hereunder and such initial Borrowing of Loans occurs.

 

“Interest Period” means, for each Eurodollar Rate Loan, (a) initially, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or Continued as such Eurodollar Rate Loan and (b) thereafter, the period commencing on the last day of the preceding Interest Period, and ending, in each case, on the earlier of (i) the scheduled maturity date of such Loan, or (ii) one, two, three, six or, if agreed to by each Lender, 12 months or periods less than one month, thereafter; provided that:

 

(i)       any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

 

(ii)       any Interest Period which begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

 

(iii)       unless Administrative Agent otherwise consents, there may not be more than ten (10) Interest Periods for Eurodollar Rate Loans in effect at any time.

 

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.25(b).

 

“Laws” or “Law” means all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including, if consistent therewith, the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof.

 

“Lender” means each lender from time to time party hereto and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, their respective successors and assigns (but not any purchaser of a participation hereunder unless otherwise a party to this Agreement).

 

“Lender Party” means any Agent or any Lender.

 

“Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such on its Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as such Lender may from time to time notify Administrative Agent and Borrower.

 

“Leverage Ratio” means, at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Indebtedness as of such date minus up to $1,000,000,000 of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on or as of such date to (b) Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis; provided that, at any time after (x) in connection with the Target Acquisition or with respect to any acquisition that is a Material Acquisition in accordance with clause (ii) of the definition thereof to which the United Kingdom City

 

 

 15

Code on Takeovers and Mergers (or any comparable laws, rules or regulations in any other jurisdiction) applies, the date on which (i) the Rule 2.7 Announcement is issued in connection with the Target Acquisition or (ii) a “Rule 2.7 announcement” of a firm intention to make an offer in respect of a target of such Material Acquisition (or the equivalent notice under such comparable laws, rules or regulations in such other jurisdiction) is issued or (y) in connection with any acquisition that is a Material Acquisition in accordance with clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the date a definitive agreement for such Material Acquisition shall have been executed (or, in the case of a Material Acquisition in the form of a tender offer or similar transaction, after the offer shall have been launched) and prior to the consummation of such Material Acquisition (or termination of the definitive documentation in respect thereof (or such later date as such indebtedness ceases to constitute Acquisition Debt as set forth in the definition of “Acquisition Debt”)), any Acquisition Debt to the extent the proceeds of such Acquisition Debt are held in escrow or held on the balance sheet of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, so long as, in the good faith determination of Borrower, such Unrestricted Subsidiary is expected to become a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the consummation of such Material Acquisition) shall be excluded from the determination of the Leverage Ratio.

 

“LIBOR” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Eurodollar Rate.

 

“LIBOR Screen Rate” means, the LIBOR quote on the applicable screen page the Administrative Agent designates to determine LIBOR (or such other comparable commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time).

 

“LIBOR Successor Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03(b).

 

“LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any proposed LIBOR Successor Rate, any conforming changes to the definition of “Interest Period”, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other administrative matters as may be appropriate, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent (in consultation with the Borrower), to reflect the adoption of such LIBOR Successor Rate and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such LIBOR Successor Rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent determines in consultation with the Borrower).

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease or Sale-Leaseback Transaction having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the filing of any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or comparable Laws of any jurisdiction), including the interest of a purchaser of accounts receivable; provided that Liens shall not include ordinary and customary contractual set off rights.

 

“Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a) (collectively, the “Loans”).

 

“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement, each Note, each Incremental Assumption Agreement, each Request for Extension of Credit, each Compliance Certificate, each fee letter (including the Fee Letter) and each other instrument or agreement from time to time delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement.

 

“Loan Parties” means Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries that is a party to a Loan Document.

 

 

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“Major Event of Default” means an Event of Default arising from any of the following with respect to Borrower and the Guarantors only (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, (a) in relation to any other Subsidiary of Borrower or the Target Group or (b) in respect of any obligation to procure any action by any other Subsidiary of Borrower or the Target Group):

 

(i)       any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a);

 

(ii)       any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(b);

 

(iii)       any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(c), but solely as it relates to the failure to perform or observe any of covenants set forth in Section 7.03 (Fundamental Changes);

 

(iv)       any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(d), but solely as it relates to the failure to perform or observe any of the covenants set forth in Section 6.04 (Preservation of Existence) but only insofar as it refers to “existence” therein, 6.11(a) and (c)(ii) (only) (Scheme and Offer), 7.01 (Liens), 7.05 (Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions) or 7.07 (Scheme and Offer);

 

(v)       any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(e), but solely as it relates to the inaccuracy of any representation or warranty set forth in Section 5.01 (Existence and Qualification; Compliance with Laws), 5.02 (Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations), 5.03(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) (No Legal Bar) (but only in respect of Section 5.03(iii) with respect to any Contractual Obligation that is Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred or issued by a Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than the Threshold Amount), 5.06 (Use of Proceeds) (solely with respect to the second sentence thereof) or 5.08 (Target Acquisition Documents);

 

(vi)       any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(g); and

 

(vii)       any circumstance constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(i) (but excluding, in relation to involuntary proceedings, any Event of Default caused by a frivolous or vexatious (and, in either case, lacking in merit) action, proceeding or petition in respect of which no order or decree in respect of such involuntary proceeding shall have been entered).

 

“Material Acquisition” means any Acquisition (the “Subject Acquisition”) (i) made at a time when the Leverage Ratio is in excess of 4.5 to 1.0 or (ii) that has an Annualized Acquisition Cash Flow Value (as defined below) for the period ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended that is greater than five percent (5%) of the Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for the same period. The “Annualized Acquisition Cash Flow Value” is an amount equal to (a) the Annualized EBITDA of the assets comprising the Subject Acquisition less (b) the Annualized EBITDA of any assets disposed of by Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) in connection with the Subject Acquisition.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means any set of circumstances or events which (a) has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon the validity or enforceability against Borrower or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary of any Loan Document or (b) has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower and Guarantors, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under any Loan Document.

 

 

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“Material Debt” means Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred or issued by Borrower in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $500,000,000.

 

“Material Disposition” means any Disposition (the “Subject Disposition”) (i) made at a time when the Leverage Ratio is in excess of 4.5 to 1.0 or (ii) that has an Annualized Disposition Cash Flow Value (as defined below), for the period ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended that is greater than five percent (5%) of the Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for the same period. The “Annualized Disposition Cash Flow Value” is an amount equal to (a) the Annualized EBITDA of the assets comprising the Subject Disposition less (b) the Annualized EBITDA of any assets acquired by Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than from Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) in connection with the Subject Disposition.

 

“Materially Adverse Amendment” means a modification, amendment or waiver to or of the terms or conditions of any Target Acquisition Document that is, when compared to the terms and conditions that are included in the draft of the Rule 2.7 Announcement delivered pursuant to Section 4.01(c), materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders (taken as a whole), it being acknowledged that (a) a waiver of a pre-condition which then becomes a condition to be satisfied in connection with the Target Acquisition or an increase to the price of the Target Acquisition would not be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders (taken as a whole), and (b) any modification, amendment or waiver required by the Takeover Code, the Panel, any other competent regulatory body or by a court of competent jurisdiction shall not be a Materially Adverse Amendment.

 

“Maturity Date” means the date that is 364 days following the Initial Closing Date.

 

“Minimum Amount” means, with respect to each of the following actions, the minimum amount and any multiples in excess thereof set forth opposite such action:

 

Type of Action Minimum Amount Multiples in excess thereof
Borrowing, prepayment or Continuation of Loans £10,000,000 £1,000,000
Reduction of Commitments £15,000,000 £2,500,000
Assignments £15,000,000 None

 

“MLPFS” means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or its successor, or if it is dissolved or liquidated or no longer performs the functions of a securities rating agency, such other nationally recognized securities rating agency agreed upon by Borrower and Administrative Agent and approved by Required Lenders.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

“Net Cash Proceeds” means, with respect to any event, the cash proceeds actually received by Borrower or any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such event, including any cash received in respect of any noncash proceeds, but only as and when received, net of the sum, without duplication, of (a) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with such event by Borrower and

 

 

 18

its Subsidiaries, (b) in the case of a sale, transfer, lease or other disposition (including pursuant to a Sale-Leaseback Transaction) of an asset, the amount of all payments required to be made by Borrower and its Subsidiaries as a result of such event to repay debt for borrowed money secured by a Lien on such asset and (c) the amount of all taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable) by Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and the amount of any reserves established by Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP or other applicable accounting standards to fund purchase price adjustment, indemnification and similar contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, in each case during the year that such event occurred or the next succeeding year and that are directly attributable to the occurrence of such event (as determined reasonably and in good faith by Borrower); provided that if the amount of such reserves exceeds the amounts charged against such reserve, then such excess, upon determination thereof, shall then constitute Net Cash Proceeds.

 

“New Commitment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b).

 

“NBCU” means NBCUniversal Media, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Non-Excluded Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

 

“Notes” means the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing Loans.

 

“Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, and payment obligations of, Borrower arising under any Loan Document, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest that accrues after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws by or against Borrower.

 

“Offer” means a public offer by, or made on behalf of, Borrower in accordance with the Takeover Code and the provisions of the Companies Act for Borrower (or a Subsidiary thereof, including Bidco) to acquire all of the shares of the Target not owned, held or agreed to be acquired by Borrower (or a Subsidiary thereof, including Bidco).

 

“Offer Documents” means (a) any Offer Press Release, (b) any document published in accordance with the Takeover Code pursuant to which an Offer is made to the shareholders of the Target (including, without limitation, any revision to an Offer and any alternative Offer) and (c) any other document designated in writing as such by Borrower and Administrative Agent.

 

“Offer Press Release” means a press release announcing, in compliance with Rule 2.7, a firm intention to make an Offer or, as the case may be, a switch to an Offer in accordance with Section 8 of Appendix 7 to the Takeover Code.

 

“Other Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b).

 

“Outstanding Obligations” means, as of any date, and giving effect to making any Extension of Credit requested on such date and all payments, repayments and prepayments made on such date, (a) when reference is made to all Lenders, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans and (b) when reference is made to one Lender, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans made by such Lender.

 

“Panel” means The Panel on Takeovers and Mergers established in 1968 and designated as the supervisory authority in the United Kingdom to carry out certain regulatory functions in relation to takeovers pursuant to the EU Directive on Takeover Bids (2004/25/EC).

 

 

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“Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.04(d).

 

“PATRIOT Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.24.

 

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto established under ERISA.

 

“Permanent Financing” means the issuance of debt securities by Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof, through a public offering or in a private placement, the proceeds of which are used (in whole or in part) to consummate the Target Acquisition or to replace or refinance some or all of the Loans.

 

“Person” means any individual, trustee, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, bank, business association, firm, joint venture or Governmental Authority.

 

“Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or to which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer plan (as described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA) has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five plan years.

 

“Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.

 

“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

 

“Public Lenders” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02.

 

“Reference Statements” means (a) the audited consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most recent fiscal year ended prior to the Effective Date as to which such financial statements are available and (b) the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each quarterly period, if any, ended subsequent to the date of the financial statements referenced in clause (a) above and prior to the Effective Date as to which such financial statements are available.

 

“Refund Repayment Requirement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(f).

 

“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(b).

 

“Request for Extension of Credit” means, unless otherwise specified herein, with respect to a Borrowing or Continuation of Loans, a written request substantially in the form of Exhibit B or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

“Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders (excluding any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, until all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender have been remedied) holding more than 50% of the sum of (x) the unused Commitments at such time and (y) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans outstanding at such time.

 

 

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“Requisite Notice” means a notice delivered in accordance with Section 10.02.

 

“Requisite Time” means, with respect to any of the actions listed below, the time and date set forth below opposite such action:

 

Type of Action Applicable Time Date of Action
Delivery of Request for Extension of Credit for, or notice for, or determination of any LIBOR Screen Rate related to:    
Borrowing, prepayment or Continuation of Loans 10:00 a.m.

3 Business Days prior to such prepayment, Borrowing or Continuation

 

Determination of a LIBOR Screen Rate 11:00 a.m. (London Time) on the first Business Day of such requested Borrowing or Continuation

 

Voluntary reduction in or termination of Commitments 11:00 a.m.   3 Business Days prior to such reduction or termination
Payments by Lenders or Borrower to Administrative Agent 1:00 p.m. On the date payment is due

 

“Responsible Officer” means, as to any Person, the president, any vice president, the controller, the chief financial officer, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer of such Person and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Section 2, any other officer of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer of the applicable Loan Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent. Any document or certificate hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a particular Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

 

“Restricted Group” means, collectively, Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

“Restricted Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary of Borrower that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Revolving Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of May 26, 2016, by and among Comcast Corporation, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent, and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC (acting through Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and MUFG Bank, Ltd. (f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.), Wells Fargo and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as co-documentation agents (as it may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time).

 

“Rule 2.7” means Rule 2.7 of the Takeover Code.

 

“Rule 2.7 Announcement” means (in relation to a Scheme) a Scheme Press Release or (in relation to an Offer) an Offer Press Release.

 

 

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“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of S&P Global, Inc., or its successor, or if it is dissolved or liquidated or no longer performs the functions of a securities rating agency, such other nationally recognized securities rating agency agreed upon by Borrower and Administrative Agent and approved by Required Lenders.

 

“Sale-Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement whereby Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred.

 

“Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State, (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

 

“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

 

“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom (b) any Person located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country (except any U.S. Person with a location in a Sanctioned Country pursuant to an OFAC license), or (c) any Person owned fifty percent or more or Controlled by any Person or Persons described in clause (a) or (b).

 

“Scheduled Unavailability Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03(b).

 

“Scheme” means a scheme of arrangement made pursuant to Part 26 of the Companies Act between the Target and the holders of the Target shares in relation to the transfer of the entire issued share capital of the Target to Bidco (or another Subsidiary of Borrower) as contemplated by a Scheme Circular (as such Scheme Circular may be amended in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) as such Scheme may from time to time be amended, added to, revised, renewed or waived in accordance with this Agreement.

 

“Scheme Circular” means any circular to the shareholders of the Target to be issued by the Target setting out the proposals for any Scheme.

 

“Scheme Documents” means (a) any Scheme Press Release, (b) the Scheme Circular (if any) and (c) any other document designated in writing as such by Borrower and Administrative Agent.

 

“Scheme Effective Date” means the date on which a copy of the High Court order sanctioning a Scheme is duly filed on behalf of the Target with the Registrar of Companies in accordance with section 899 of the Companies Act.

 

“Scheme Press Release” means a press release to be issued by or on behalf of Borrower or the Target announcing, in compliance with Rule 2.7, a firm intention to make an offer which is to be implemented by means of a Scheme or, as the case may be, a switch to a Scheme in accordance with Section 8 of Appendix 7 of the Takeover Code.

 

 

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“Significant Subsidiary” means (i) for so long as each shall remain a Guarantor hereunder, Comcast Cable and NBCU and (ii) any other Restricted Subsidiary whose Annualized EBITDA was greater than 5% of the Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for the period of two fiscal quarters ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended, or whose assets comprised more than 5% of the total assets of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended.

 

“Sterling” and “£” means lawful money of the United Kingdom.

 

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Borrower.

 

“Syndication Agent” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereto.

 

“Takeover Code” means the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (as amended) issued by the Panel.

 

“Target” means Sky plc, incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 02247735.

 

“Target Acquisition” means the acquisition by Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries (which may include Bidco) of at least a majority of the share capital of the Target. For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Acquisition may, at Borrower’s election, involve acquisition of greater than a majority of the share capital of the Target and may be consummated in several stages.

 

“Target Acquisition Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G, properly completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower.

 

“Target Acquisition Documents” means any Rule 2.7 Announcement, any Offer Documents, any Scheme Documents and any other document designated in writing by Borrower and Administrative Agent as a “Target Acquisition Document” from time to time.

 

“Target Group” means the Target and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Term Loan Credit Agreement” means that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of April 25, 2018, by and among Comcast Corporation, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo, as syndication agent.

 

“Threshold Amount” means $500,000,000.

 

“Transaction Costs” means all fees, costs and expenses incurred or payable by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions.

 

“Transactions” means, collectively, (a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) to which it is to be a party and any Borrowings hereunder (at any time), (b) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of

 

 

 23

the Loan Documents (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) to which it is to be a party and the borrowing of the Loans (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) on the Initial Closing Date or at any time thereafter, (c) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of any amendments or modifications to the Revolving Credit Agreement undertaken in connection with the Target Acquisition and any other documents executed in connection with any such amendments or modifications, (d) any Permanent Financing transaction and/or the incurrence of any other interim financing for the Target Acquisition and any refinancing thereof, (e) the consummation of the Target Acquisition (including any acquisition of Target shares after the Initial Closing Date) and (f) the payment of the Transaction Costs.

 

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Borrower designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” from time to time in accordance with Section 6.08. Until so designated, each Subsidiary of Borrower shall be a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.20(a).

 

“Wells Fargo” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

 

“WFS” means Wells Fargo Securities LLC.

 

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

1.02       Use of Certain Terms.

 

(a)       All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, unless otherwise defined therein.

 

(b)       As used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders and the singular and plural include one another.

 

(c)       The words “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document shall refer to the applicable Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof. The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation. References herein to a Section, subsection or clause shall, unless the context otherwise requires, refer to the appropriate Section, subsection or clause in this Agreement.

 

(d)       The term “or” is disjunctive; the term “and” is conjunctive. The term “shall” is mandatory; the term “may” is permissive.

 

1.03       Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined in this Agreement shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data required to be submitted by this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time in the United States; provided that if Borrower notifies Administrative Agent that Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision, then (a) regardless of whether such any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied

 

 

 24

immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith and (b) Administrative Agent and Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to determine such adjustments and amendments to the applicable terms and definitions as to make them consistent with the intent hereof, and promptly upon Borrower and Administrative Agent reaching such agreement, Administrative Agent shall notify Lenders of such adjustments and amendments, which shall be conclusive and effective as amendments hereunder, unless Required Lenders object to such adjustments within 30 days of receipt of notice.

 

Each Compliance Certificate shall be prepared in accordance with this Section 1.03, except for the exclusion of Unrestricted Subsidiaries from the calculations therein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, references herein to “Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis” shall be deemed to refer to Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries without taking into account the results or financial position of any Unrestricted Subsidiary and without taking into account any interest of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Unrestricted Subsidiary. Without limiting the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any provision of this Agreement and any related definitions, the determination of whether a lease is to be treated as an operating lease or capital lease shall be made without giving effect to any change in GAAP that becomes effective on or after the date hereof that would require operating leases to be treated similarly to capital leases, including as a result of the implementation of proposed ASU Topic 840, or any successor or similar proposal. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein.

 

1.04       Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed in this Agreement and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a round-up if there is no nearest number) to the number of places by which such ratio is expressed in this Agreement.

 

1.05       Exhibits and Schedules. All exhibits and schedules to this Agreement, either as originally existing or as the same may from time to time be supplemented, modified or amended, are incorporated herein by this reference. A matter disclosed on any Schedule shall be deemed disclosed on all Schedules.

 

1.06       References to Agreements and Laws. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall include all amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto (unless prohibited by any Loan Document), and (b) references to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.

 

1.07       Pro Forma Calculations. For the purposes of calculating Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for any period (a “Test Period”), (i) if at any time from the period commencing on the first day of such Test Period and ending on the last day of such Test Period (or, in the case of any pro forma calculation required to be made pursuant hereto in respect of the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is a Material Disposition or the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Material Acquisition, ending on the date such Material Disposition or Material Acquisition is consummated after giving effect thereto), Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Material Disposition,

 

 

 25

the Annualized EBITDA for such Test Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Annualized EBITDA (if positive) for such Test Period attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Material Disposition or increased by an amount equal to the Annualized EBITDA (if negative) for such Test Period attributable to such assets; (ii) if during such Test Period Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made a Material Acquisition, Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for such Test Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the incurrence or assumption of any Indebtedness in connection therewith) as if such Material Acquisition (and the incurrence or assumption of any such Indebtedness) occurred on the first day of such Test Period; and (iii) if during such Test Period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such Test Period shall have entered into any Material Disposition or Material Acquisition that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above if made by Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary during such Test Period, Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for such Test Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Material Disposition or Material Acquisition occurred on the first day of such Test Period. For the purposes of this section, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a Material Disposition or Material Acquisition and the amount of income or earnings related thereto, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of Borrower. Comparable adjustments shall be made in connection with any determination of Annualized EBITDA.

 

1.08       Rates. The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “Eurodollar Rate” or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any liability arising out of the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 2

THE COMMITMENTS AND EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT

 

2.01       Amount and Terms of Commitments.

 

(a)       Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, during the Certain Funds Period and prior to the Maturity Date, each Lender severally agrees to make and Continue loans (each such loan, a “Loan”) in Sterling to the Borrower in an aggregate amount not to exceed such Lender’s Commitment at such time. Loans borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.01(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Upon the making of any Loan by a Lender, such Lender’s Commitment shall be permanently reduced by the principal amount of such Loan.

 

(b)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Loans hereunder shall be available to be drawn on no more than three occasions (in the aggregate) during the Certain Funds Period; provided that in the event that any Lender shall have failed to make any Loan required to be made by it under Section 2.01, and the Borrower shall request an additional borrowing of Loans, the Borrower shall not be deemed to have requested an additional Borrowing.

 

2.02       Procedure for Borrowings.

 

(a)       Borrower may request a Borrowing of Loans in a Minimum Amount therefor by (A) telephone, or (B) delivering a Request for Extension of Credit therefor by Requisite Notice to Administrative Agent not later than the Requisite Time therefor; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Request for Extension of

 

 

 26

Credit. All Borrowings shall constitute Eurodollar Rate Loans. Requests for Borrowings may be made contingent on the closing of the Target Acquisition (or a portion of the Target Acquisition).

 

(b)       Following receipt of a Request for Extension of Credit, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender by Requisite Notice of its Applicable Percentage thereof. Each Lender (subject to clause (d) below) shall make the funds for its Loan available to Administrative Agent at Administrative Agent’s Office not later than the Requisite Time therefor on the Business Day specified in such Request for Extension of Credit. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02, all funds so received shall be made available to Borrower in like funds received.

 

(c)       The failure of any Lender to make any Loan on any date shall not relieve any other Lender of any obligation to make a Loan on such date, but the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan. Borrower shall have the right to replace any Lender which fails to make a Loan when obligated to do so in accordance with Section 10.21.

 

(d)       Each Lender may, at its option, make any Loan available to Borrower by causing any foreign or domestic branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, further that, for the avoidance of doubt, Borrower shall not be required to pay a greater amount under the increased costs provisions (including yield protection and taxes) of Section 3 hereof than it would have paid in the absence of the exercise of such option.

 

2.03       [Reserved].

 

2.04       [Reserved].

 

2.05       Reduction or Termination of Commitments.

 

(a)       Upon Requisite Notice to Administrative Agent not later than the Requisite Time therefor, Borrower may at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty, permanently and irrevocably reduce or terminate any of the Commitments. Any such Requisite Notice may state that such Requisite Notice is conditioned on the effectiveness of other credit facilities or other financing transactions, in which case such Requisite Notice may be revoked by Borrower (by written notice to Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective time) if such condition is not satisfied. Any such reduction or termination shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued and unpaid commitment fees with respect to the portion of the Commitments being reduced or terminated. Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Lenders of any such request for reduction or termination of the Commitments. Each Lender’s Commitment shall be reduced pro rata by the amount of such reduction.

 

(b)       Subject to Section 2.05(c) below, the Commitments then outstanding shall be automatically and permanently reduced in an amount equal to (i) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds actually received by Borrower in connection with any Equity Issuance, (ii) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds actually received by Borrower or any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any Debt Issuance or (iii) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds actually received by Borrower or any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any Asset Sale; provided that if Borrower or any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries receives proceeds that would otherwise constitute Net Cash Proceeds from an Asset Sale, Borrower or such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary may reinvest any portion of such proceeds in the business of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and, in such case, such

 

 

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proceeds shall only constitute Net Cash Proceeds to the extent not so reinvested (or committed to be reinvested) within the 180-day period following receipt of such proceeds.

 

(c)       Any Net Cash Proceeds contemplated to be applied to reduce the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.05(b) above shall first be applied to prepay the outstanding Loans, if any, pursuant to Section 2.06(b) until the amount of Loans outstanding is $0, and any remaining amounts shall be applied to reduce the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.05(b).

 

(d)       Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall permanently terminate in full at 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the earlier of (i) the Maturity Date and (ii) the Certain Funds Termination Date (after giving effect to any Borrowings made or to be made on the Certain Funds Termination Date).

 

2.06       Prepayments and Repayments of Loans.

 

(a)       Upon Requisite Notice to Administrative Agent not later than the Requisite Time therefor, Borrower may at any time and from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans made to it in part in the Minimum Amount therefor or in full without premium or penalty. Administrative Agent will promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof and of such Lender’s percentage of such prepayment. Any such Requisite Notice may state that such Requisite Notice is conditioned on the consummation of any portion of the Target Acquisition or any other transaction, including the establishment of other credit facilities or the consummation of any other financing transactions, in which case such Requisite Notice may be revoked by Borrower (by written notice to Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective time) if such condition is not satisfied. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with the costs set forth in Section 3.05.

 

(b)       Within five Business Days of Borrower’s receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds on or after the Initial Closing Date, Borrower shall prepay the Loans in an aggregate amount equal to (i) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds actually received by Borrower in connection with any Equity Issuance, (ii) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds actually received by Borrower or any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any Debt Issuance or (iii) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds actually received by Borrower or any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any Asset Sale; provided that if Borrower or any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries receives proceeds that would otherwise constitute Net Cash Proceeds from an Asset Sale, Borrower or such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary may reinvest any portion of such proceeds in the business of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and, in such case, such proceeds shall only constitute Net Cash Proceeds to the extent not so reinvested (or committed to be reinvested) within the 180-day period following receipt of such proceeds. Any prepayment of a Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 3.05. Any Loans that are prepaid pursuant to this Section 2.06(b) may not be reborrowed.

 

(c)       Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent for the ratable account of each Lender, on the Maturity Date, the aggregate principal amount of the Loans then outstanding.

 

(d)       Each prepayment and repayment of Loans by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.06 shall be made in the same currency in which such Loans were made.

 

2.07       Documentation of Loans.

 

(a)       Upon the request of any Lender made through Administrative Agent, a Lender’s Loans may be evidenced by one or more Notes of Borrower, instead of or in addition to its loan

 

 

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accounts or records. Each such Lender may attach schedules to its Notes and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto. Any failure so to record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of Borrower to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations.

 

(b)       Administrative Agent shall maintain, at Administrative Agent’s Office, a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of Lenders and the Commitments and Extensions of Credit of each Lender from time to time (the “Register”). The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register, acting, solely for this administrative purpose only, as a non-fiduciary agent for Borrower (it being acknowledged and agreed that Administrative Agent and each Administrative Agent-Related Person, in such capacity, shall constitute Indemnitees under Section 10.13).

 

(c)       Administrative Agent shall record in the Register the Commitment and Loans from time to time of each Lender, and each repayment or prepayment in respect thereof. Any recordation shall be conclusive and binding on Borrower and each Lender, absent manifest error.

 

(d)       Each Lender shall record on its internal loan accounts or records (and may record on the Note(s) held by such Lender) the amount of each Loan made by it and each payment in respect thereof; provided that the failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect any Lender’s Commitment or Outstanding Obligations; and provided, further, that in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any Lender’s records, the recordations in the Register shall govern, absent manifest error.

 

(e)       Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall deem and treat the Persons listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders of the corresponding Commitments and Extensions of Credit listed therein for all purposes hereof, and no assignment or transfer of any such Commitment or Extensions of Credit shall be effective, in each case, unless and until an Assignment and Assumption effecting the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been accepted by Administrative Agent and recorded in the Register. Prior to such recordation, all amounts owed with respect to the applicable Commitment or Outstanding Obligations shall be owed to the Lender listed in the Register as the owner thereof, and any request, authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is listed in the Register as a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, assignee or transferee of the corresponding Commitments or Outstanding Obligations.

 

2.08       Continuation Option.

 

(a)       Borrower may irrevocably request a Continuation of Loans on any Business Day in a Minimum Amount therefor by delivering a Request for Extension of Credit therefor by Requisite Notice to Administrative Agent not later than the Requisite Time therefor.

 

(b)       Unless Borrower pays all amounts due under Section 3.05, if any, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be Continued only on the last day of the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan.

 

(c)       Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Borrower and Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Eurodollar Rate Loan upon determination of the same.

 

 

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2.09       Interest.

 

(a)       Subject to subsection (b) below, and unless otherwise specified herein, Borrower hereby promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan made to it (before and after default, before and after maturity, before and after judgment and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws) from the date borrowed until paid in full (whether by acceleration or otherwise) on each Applicable Payment Date at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Amount.

 

(b)       If any amount payable by Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), Borrower hereby promises to pay interest (after as well as before entry of judgment thereon to the extent permitted by law) on such amount at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law. Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be payable upon demand.

 

(c)       On any Business Day, Borrower may call Administrative Agent and request information as to the then current Eurodollar Rate, and Administrative Agent shall provide such information.

 

2.10       Fees.

 

(a)       Commitment Fee. Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender pro rata according to its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee equal to the Applicable Amount times the average daily amount of such Lender’s Commitment then outstanding, subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 2.14(a). The commitment fee shall accrue at all times from and including the date that is 45 days after the Effective Date until (and shall be due and payable on) the earlier of (x) with respect to any Commitments, the date on which such Commitments have terminated, including pursuant to any Borrowing or otherwise in accordance with Section 2.05 and (y) the Certain Funds Termination Date. The commitment fee shall accrue at all applicable times, including at any time during which one or more conditions in Section 4 are not met.

 

(b)       Duration Fees. Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a duration fee in an amount equal to (i) 0.50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Lender outstanding on the date which is ninety (90) days after the Initial Closing Date, due and payable on such 90th day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day); (ii) 0.75% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Lender outstanding on the date which is one hundred eighty (180) days after the Initial Closing Date, due and payable on such 180th day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), and (iii) 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Lender outstanding on the date which is two hundred seventy (270) days after the Initial Closing Date, due and payable on such 270th day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).

 

(c)       Other Fees. Borrower agrees to pay to Administrative Agent and the other parties hereto (and their respective Affiliates) the fees in the amounts and on the dates previously agreed to in writing by Borrower and such parties (or their respective Affiliates).

 

2.11       Computation of Interest and Fees. Computation of interest and all fees shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days or, in the case of any amounts denominated in Sterling, 365 days and the actual number of days elapsed. Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or

 

 

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such portion is paid; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one day.

 

2.12       Making Payments.

 

(a)       Except as otherwise provided herein, all payments by Borrower or any Lender hereunder shall be made to Administrative Agent at Administrative Agent’s Office not later than the Requisite Time for such type of payment. All payments received after such Requisite Time shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of the calculation of interest and fees, but not for purposes of determining whether a Default has occurred. All payments of principal and interest shall be made in immediately available funds in Sterling. All fees due hereunder (excluding fees pursuant to Section 2.10(a)) shall be payable in Dollars. All fees due pursuant to Section 2.10(a) shall be payable in Sterling. All payments by Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.

 

(b)       Upon satisfaction of any applicable terms and conditions set forth herein, Administrative Agent shall promptly make any amounts received in accordance with Section 2.12(a) available in like funds received as follows: (i) if payable to Borrower, by crediting a deposit account designated from time to time by Borrower to Administrative Agent by Requisite Notice, and (ii) if payable to any Lender, by wire transfer to such Lender at its Lending Office. If such conditions are not so satisfied, Administrative Agent shall return any funds it is holding to the Lenders making such funds available, without interest.

 

(c)       Subject to the definition of “Interest Period,” if any payment to be made by Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall instead be considered due on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest and fees.

 

(d)       Subject to Section 4.04, unless Borrower or any Lender has notified Administrative Agent, prior to the Requisite Time any payment to be made by it is due, that it does not intend to remit such payment, Administrative Agent may, in its sole and absolute discretion, assume that Borrower or such Lender, as the case may be, has timely remitted such payment and may, in its sole and absolute discretion and in reliance thereon, make such payment available to the Person entitled thereto. If such payment was not in fact remitted to Administrative Agent in immediately available funds, then:

 

(i) If Borrower failed to make such payment, each Lender shall forthwith on demand repay to Administrative Agent the amount of such assumed payment made available to such Lender, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such amount was made available by Administrative Agent to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to Administrative Agent at the Federal Funds Rate; and

 

(ii) If any Lender failed to make such payment, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount upon Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, Administrative Agent promptly shall notify Borrower, and Borrower shall pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent following the Certain Funds Termination Date. Administrative Agent also shall be entitled to recover interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by Administrative Agent to Borrower to the date such corresponding

 

 

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amount is recovered by Administrative Agent, (A) from such Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate, and (B) from Borrower, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable to such Borrowing. Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitment or to prejudice any rights which Administrative Agent or Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

 

(e)       If Administrative Agent or any Lender is required at any time to return to Borrower, or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or any official under any proceeding under Debtor Relief Laws, any portion of a payment made by Borrower, each Lender shall, on demand of Administrative Agent, return its share of the amount to be returned, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate.

 

2.13       Funding Sources. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

 

2.14       Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)       Fees set forth in Section 2.10(a) shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender;

 

(b)       To the extent permitted by applicable Law, any voluntary prepayment of Loans shall, if Borrower so directs at the time of making such voluntary prepayment, be applied to the Loans of other Lenders as if such Defaulting Lender had no Loans outstanding and the Aggregate Exposure of such Defaulting Lender in respect of its Commitment were zero; and

 

(c)       The Aggregate Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders or Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or modification pursuant to Section 10.01); provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender which affects such Defaulting Lender differently than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender and in any event, no such amendment, modification, or waiver shall increase the Commitments or the principal amount of any Loans of such Defaulting Lender, extend the maturity date applicable thereto or decrease the rate of interest (including any commitment fees) payable in respect thereof without the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

 

2.15       Increase in Aggregate Commitments.

 

(a)       Borrower may, from time to time on or prior to the Initial Closing Date, by notice to Administrative Agent, request that the aggregate amount of the Commitments be increased by a minimum amount equal to £10,000,000 or an integral multiple of £1,000,000 in excess thereof (each, a “Commitment Increase”), to be effective as of a date, which shall be on or prior to the Initial Closing Date, as specified in the related notice to Administrative Agent (such date, the “Increase Date”). Borrower may, in its sole discretion, offer any such Commitment Increase to one or more existing Lenders or one or more Eligible Assignees.

 

(b)       The notice provided by Borrower to Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (a) above shall include (i) the proposed amount of such requested Commitment Increase, (ii) the proposed

 

 

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Increase Date, (iii) the identity of each existing Lender and each Eligible Assignee to whom Borrower proposes any portion of such Commitment Increase be allocated and the amounts of such allocations (provided that any existing Lender approached to provide all or a portion of the Commitment Increase may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such portion of the Commitment Increase) and (iv) the date (which shall be earlier than the Increase Date) by which such existing Lenders and such Eligible Assignees must commit to an increase in the amount of their respective Commitments (the “Commitment Date”). Each existing Lender that is approached to participate in such requested Commitment Increase (if any) (each an “Increasing Lender”) and each Eligible Assignee that accepts an offer to participate in a requested Commitment Increase in accordance with Section 2.15(a) (if any) (each such Eligible Assignee, an “Assuming Lender”) shall, in its sole discretion, give written notice to Administrative Agent on or prior to the Commitment Date of the amount by which it is willing to increase its Commitment (each, an “Increased Commitment”) or provide a new Commitment (each, a “New Commitment”), as applicable (and any failure by any such Lender or Eligible Assignee, as applicable, to respond to such request for a Commitment Increase shall be deemed to be a rejection by such Lender or Eligible Assignee, as applicable, of such request).

 

(c)       On each Increase Date, (i) Borrower and each applicable Increasing Lender and Assuming Lender shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent (each, an “Incremental Assumption Agreement”) to evidence the Increased Commitment of such Increasing Lender and the New Commitment of such Assuming Lender, as applicable, (ii) each Assuming Lender shall become a Lender party to this Agreement as of such Increase Date and the Commitment of each Increasing Lender for such requested Commitment Increase shall be so increased by such amount as of such Increase Date and (iii) Schedule 2.01 to this Agreement shall be deemed amended to reflect such Commitment Increase. Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Incremental Assumption Agreement.

 

(d)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Commitment Increase shall become effective under this Section 2.15 unless on the applicable Increase Date after giving effect to the Commitment Increase, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(e)       Notwithstanding the terms of Section 10.01, any Incremental Assumption Agreement may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of Administrative Agent and Borrower, to implement the provisions of this Section 2.15, a copy of which shall be made available to each Lender.

 

(f)       This Section shall supersede any provisions in Section 10.01 or Section 10.06 to the contrary.

 

SECTION 3

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

 

3.01       Taxes.

 

(a)       To the extent permitted by Law, any and all payments by or on account of Borrower to or for the account of any Lender Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for or on account of any and all present or future income, stamp or other taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed and all interest,

 

 

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additions to tax, or penalties with respect thereto, excluding, (w) in the case of a Lender Party, taxes imposed on or measured by its net income, and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes) imposed on it, (I) by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the Laws of which the Lender Party is organized or maintains a Lending Office, or (II) by reason of any present or former connection between such Lender Party and the jurisdiction imposing such taxes, other than solely as a result of this Agreement or any Note or any transaction contemplated thereby, (x) with respect to each Lender Party, taxes imposed by reason of any present or former connection between such Lender Party and the jurisdiction imposing such taxes, other than solely as a result of this Agreement or any Note or any transaction contemplated hereby, (y) in the case of a Lender Party organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by Borrower under Section 3.06(b)), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Lender Party at the time such Lender Party becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Lender Party’s failure to comply with Section 10.20, except to the extent that such Lender Party (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to this Section and (z) withholding taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA (all non-excluded taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges, and liabilities imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document being hereinafter referred to as “Non-Excluded Taxes”). If Borrower or Administrative Agent shall be required by any Laws to deduct any Non-Excluded Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable under any Loan Document to any Lender Party, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section), such Lender Party receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) Borrower or Administrative Agent shall make such deductions or withholdings, (iii) Borrower or Administrative Agent shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Laws and (iv) with respect to all withholding taxes, within 30 days after the date of such payment by Borrower, Borrower shall furnish to Administrative Agent (who shall forward the same to such Lender Party) the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof.

 

(b)       In addition, Borrower agrees to pay, or at the option of Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any and all present or future stamp, court, documentary, intangible, recording, filing or other similar taxes, charges or levies which arise from any payment made by it under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document except any such taxes that are imposed with respect to an assignment by the Lender (hereinafter referred to as “Other Taxes”).

 

(c)       Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender Party for the full amount of Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes (including any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section) paid by such Lender Party with respect to any Loan or Loan Document and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto; provided, however, that Borrower shall not be obligated to indemnify such recipient pursuant to this Section 3.01 in respect of interest, penalties and other liabilities attributable to any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes, if such interest, penalties other liabilities are attributable to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Lender Party. After a Lender Party learns of the imposition of Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes, such Lender will act in good faith to promptly notify Borrower of its obligations hereunder. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent), or by Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

 

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(d)       Indemnification by Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that Borrower has not already indemnified Administrative Agent for such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes and without limiting the obligation of Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.04 relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any excluded Taxes described in Section 3.01(a) that are attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant taxation authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to Administrative Agent under this paragraph (d).

 

(e)       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3.01, all obligations of Borrower to any Lender under this Section 3.01 shall be subject to, and conditioned upon such Lender’s compliance with its obligations, if any, under Section 10.20.

 

(f)       If any Lender Party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund from a relevant taxing or governmental authority in respect of any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by Borrower or with respect to which Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01, it shall pay over such refund to Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by Borrower under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender Party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided, that in the event such Lender Party is required to repay any or all of such refund to such Governmental Authority (a “Refund Repayment Requirement”), Borrower, upon the request of such Lender Party, agrees to repay to such Lender Party the full amount of such Refund Repayment Requirement (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority). This subsection shall not be construed to require any Lender Party to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to Borrower or any other Person.

 

3.02       Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Laws have made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Rate Loans, or materially restricts the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Sterling in the applicable offshore interbank market, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to Borrower through Administrative Agent, the obligation of such Lender to make Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies Administrative Agent and Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent), prepay all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender or convert such Eurodollar Rate Loans into Loans that bear interest based upon a rate for short term borrowings of Sterling determined in a customary manner in good faith by the Administrative Agent and reasonably acceptable to Borrower, either on the last day of the Interest Period thereof, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans. Each Lender agrees to designate a different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for such

 

 

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notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender.

 

3.03       Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rates.

 

(a)       If, in connection with any Request for Extension of Credit, (a) Administrative Agent determines that (i) deposits in Sterling are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank market for Sterling for the applicable amount and Interest Period of the requested Eurodollar Rate Loan or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the underlying interest rate for such Eurodollar Rate Loan, or (b) Required Lenders determine that such underlying interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to Lenders of funding such Eurodollar Rate Loan, Administrative Agent will promptly notify Borrower and all Lenders. Thereafter, the obligation of Lenders to make or maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be suspended until Administrative Agent revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing or, failing that, be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Loans that bears interest based upon a rate for short term borrowings of Sterling determined in a customary manner in good faith by the Administrative Agent and reasonably acceptable to Borrower in the amount specified therein.

 

(b)       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or the Borrower or Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Lenders, a copy to Borrower) that the Borrower or Required Lenders (as applicable) have determined, that:

 

(i) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR for any requested Interest Period, including, without limitation, because the LIBOR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or

 

(ii) the administrator of the LIBOR Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR or the LIBOR Screen Rate shall no longer be made available, or used for determining the interest rate of loans (such specific date, the “Scheduled Unavailability Date”), or

 

(iii) syndicated loans currently being executed, or that include language similar to that contained in this Section, are being executed or amended (as applicable) to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace LIBOR,

 

then, reasonably promptly after such determination by the Administrative Agent or receipt by the Administrative Agent of such notice, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace LIBOR with an alternate benchmark rate reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (including any mathematical or other adjustments to the benchmark (if any) incorporated therein), giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar syndicated credit facilities for such alternative benchmarks (any such proposed rate, a “LIBOR Successor Rate”), together with any proposed LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes and any such amendment shall become effective at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth Business Day after the Administrative Agent shall have posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Borrower unless, prior to such time, Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders do not accept such amendment.

 

 

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If no LIBOR Successor Rate has been determined and the circumstances under clause (i) above exist or the Scheduled Unavailability Date has occurred (as applicable), the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods). Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Committed Borrowing of Loans that bears interest based upon a rate for short term borrowings of Sterling determined in a customary manner in good faith by the Administrative Agent and reasonably acceptable to Borrower in the amount specified therein.

 

Notwithstanding anything else herein, any definition of LIBOR Successor Rate shall provide that in no event shall such LIBOR Successor Rate be less than zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

3.04       Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy.

 

(a)       If any Lender Party determines that the adoption of any Law or any change in any Law or in the interpretation thereof effective after the date hereof:

 

(i) Subjects such Lender Party to any tax (excluding taxes described in clauses (w), (y) and (z) of Section 3.01(a), Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans or its obligation to make Eurodollar Rate Loans;

 

(ii) Imposes or modifies any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge, or similar requirement (other than the reserve requirement utilized in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate) relating to any extensions of credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities or commitments of, such Lender Party (including its Commitment); or

 

(iii) Imposes on such Lender Party or on the offshore interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than taxes) affecting this Agreement or any of such extensions of credit or liabilities or commitments;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender Party of making, Continuing, or maintaining any Eurodollar Rate Loans or to reduce any sum received or receivable by such Lender Party under this Agreement with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans, then from time to time upon demand of such Lender Party (with a copy of such demand to Administrative Agent), Borrower shall pay to such Lender Party such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender Party for such increased cost or reduction.

 

(b)       If any Lender Party determines that the adoption of any Law or any change in any Law or in the interpretation thereof effective after the date hereof, including in regard to capital adequacy and liquidity, has the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender Party or compliance by such Lender Party (or its Lending Office) or any corporation controlling such Lender Party as a consequence of such Lender Party’s obligations hereunder (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity and such Lender Party’s desired return on capital and desired liquidity levels), then from time to time upon demand of such Lender Party (with a copy to Administrative Agent), Borrower shall pay to such Lender Party such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender Party for such reduction.

 

 

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(c)       Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (i) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or by United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, and (ii) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, shall in each case be deemed to be a change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

 

3.05       Breakfunding Costs. Subject to Section 3.06(a), upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent) from time to time, Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any actual loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

 

(a)       Any Continuation, payment or prepayment by Borrower of any Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration or otherwise); or

 

(b)       Any failure by Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Eurodollar Rate Loan) to prepay, borrow or Continue any Eurodollar Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by Borrower;

 

excluding any loss of anticipated profits but including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.

 

3.06       Matters Applicable to all Requests for Compensation.

 

(a)       A certificate of Administrative Agent or any Lender claiming compensation under this Section 3 and setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall be conclusive in the absence of clearly demonstrable error; provided that such certificate (i) sets forth with reasonable specificity the calculation of the amount to be paid, (ii) states that Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, is treating substantially all similarly situated borrowers in a manner that is consistent with the treatment afforded Borrower hereunder, (iii) is delivered within 90 days of the later of the date of the event giving rise to such compensation and the date Administrative Agent or such Lender knew or, with the exercise of reasonable care, should have known of the requirements for such compensation, and (iv) confirms (in the case of a claim for compensation under Section 3.01 or Section 3.04) that either a change in Administrative Agent’s Office or Lending Office, as the case may be, of Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, would not have eliminated the request for compensation or that such change would have been otherwise disadvantageous to Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be. In determining the amount of such compensation, Administrative Agent or any Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

 

(b)       Upon any Lender becoming prohibited from making, maintaining or funding Eurodollar Rate Loans pursuant to Section 3.02, or upon any Lender making a claim for compensation under Section 3.01 or Section 3.04, Borrower may remove or replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.21.

 

3.07       Survival. All of Borrower’s obligations under this Section 3 shall survive termination of the Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations.

 

 

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SECTION 4
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT

 

4.01       Conditions Precedent to Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective upon the satisfaction, on or before June 30, 2018, of the conditions precedent set forth in this Section 4.01:

 

(a)       Receipt by Administrative Agent of each of the following, each of which shall be originals, facsimiles or pdf copies unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Loan Party, each dated on, or in the case of third party certificates, recently before, the Effective Date and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent:

 

(i) executed counterparts of (a) this Agreement, executed and delivered by Borrower, Administrative Agent and each Person listed on Schedule 2.01 and (b) the Guarantee Agreement, executed and delivered by each Guarantor (provided that the requirements of this clause (i) may be satisfied by customary written evidence reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent (which may include electronic transmission of a signed signature page) that such party has signed a counterpart to this Agreement or the Guarantee Agreement (as applicable));

 

(ii) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date and executed by a secretary, assistant secretary or Responsible Officer thereof, which shall (A) certify that attached thereto are (x) a true and complete copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, formation or organization of such Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of its jurisdiction of organization, which certificate or articles of incorporation, formation or organization of such Loan Party attached thereto have not been amended (except as attached thereto) since the date reflected thereon, (y) a true and correct copy of the by-laws or operating, management, partnership or similar agreement of such Loan Party, together with all amendments thereto as of the Effective Date and such by-laws or operating, management, partnership or similar agreement are in full force and effect and (z) a true and complete copy of the resolutions or written consent, as applicable, of its board of directors, board of managers, sole member or other applicable governing body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents, and, in the case of Borrower, the borrowings and other obligations thereunder, which resolutions or consent have not been modified, rescinded or amended (other than as attached thereto) and are in full force and effect, and (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the officers, managers, directors or authorized signatories of such Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party on the Effective Date;

 

(iii) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower certifying that (A) the representations and warranties made by Borrower herein, or which are contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date, (B) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (C) that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the Reference Statements which has a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(iv) opinions of counsel to Borrower in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent; and

 

 

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(v) all information requested by the Arrangers in writing at least ten Business Days prior to the Effective Date, to the extent necessary to enable such Lender to identify Borrower and Guarantors to the extent required for compliance with the PATRIOT Act or other “know your customer” rules and regulations (which requested information shall have been received at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date).

 

(b)       With respect to any fees due and payable on or before the Effective Date pursuant to the Fee Letter, either (i) such fees shall have been paid or (ii) arrangements satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall have been made with respect to the payment of such fees.

 

(c)       Administrative Agent shall have received a copy, in substantially final form and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, of the Rule 2.7 Announcement.

 

4.02       Conditions Precedent to Borrowings. The agreement of each Lender to make Extensions of Credit requested to be made by it is subject solely to the satisfaction, in each case on or before the Certain Funds Termination Date, of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in this Section 4.02:

 

(a)       The Effective Date shall have occurred.

 

(b)       With respect to the initial Extension of Credit hereunder, Administrative Agent shall have received a Target Acquisition Certificate.

 

(c)       Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all fees required to be paid on or prior to the date of such Extension of Credit pursuant to the Fee Letter have been or shall be paid on or prior to such date (or other arrangements satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall have been made with respect to the payment of such fees).

 

(d)       No Major Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the proposed Extension of Credit to be made on such date.

 

(e)       It shall not be illegal for any Lender to lend and there is no injunction, restraining order or equivalent prohibiting any Lender from funding its portion of such Loans; provided, that such Lender has used commercially reasonable efforts to fund its such Loans through an Affiliate of such Lender not subject to such legal restriction; provided, further, that the occurrence of such event in relation to one Lender shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder.

 

4.03       Determinations Under Sections 4.01 and 4.02. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Sections 4.01 or 4.02, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Lenders unless an officer of Administrative Agent responsible for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the Effective Date or the date of any Extension of Credit, as applicable, specifying its objection thereto. Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall promptly notify the Lenders and Borrower in writing of the occurrence of the Effective Date and of the occurrence of the Initial Closing Date, which writings shall be conclusive and irrevocable.

 

4.04       Actions by Lenders During Certain Funds Period. Notwithstanding (x) anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (y) that any condition set forth in Section 4.01 or Section 4.02 may subsequently be determined not to have been satisfied, during the

 

 

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Certain Funds Period to the extent prior to the Maturity Date (unless (i) a Major Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or, in respect of clause (c) below, would result therefrom, (ii) in respect of clause (c) below, the conditions set forth in Section 4.02, as applicable, are not satisfied or (iii) it becomes illegal for any Lender to maintain its Commitment; provided that such Lender has used commercially reasonable efforts to maintain its Commitment through an Affiliate of such Lender not subject to a legal restriction and that the occurrence of such event in relation to one Lender shall not enable any other Lender to cancel its Commitment), each Lender shall comply with its obligations to fund Loans under the Loan Documents and no Lender shall:

 

(a)       subject to Section 2.05(b), Section 2.05(c) and Section 2.06(b), cancel any of its Commitments;

 

(b)       rescind, terminate or cancel any Loan Document or exercise any similar right or remedy or make or enforce any claim under any Loan Document it may have to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the funding of a Borrowing;

 

(c)       refuse to fund any Loan in respect of its outstanding Commitment;

 

(d)       exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim in respect of any Loan to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the funding of any Borrowing; or

 

(e)       subject to Section 2.05(b), Section 2.05(c) and Section 2.06(b), cancel, accelerate or cause repayment or prepayment of any amounts owing under any Loan Document to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the funding of any Borrowing;

 

provided that immediately upon the expiration of the Certain Funds Period all such rights, remedies and entitlements shall be available to the Lenders notwithstanding that they may not have been used or been available for use during the Certain Funds Period.

 

SECTION 5

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Subject to Section 4.04. Borrower represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders that:

 

5.01       Existence and Qualification; Compliance with Laws. Each of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the state of its organization, except, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, to the extent that the failure to be so organized, formed, validly existing or in good standing does not have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) is in compliance with all Laws, except to the extent that noncompliance does not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.02       Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. Each Loan Party has the power and authority and the legal right to execute, deliver and perform each Loan Document to which it is a party, and has taken all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of each Loan Document to which it is a party. Except for such consents, authorizations, filings or other acts which have been duly made or obtained and are in full force and effect, no consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or in respect of any Governmental Authority is required for the due execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except

 

 

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as would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Guarantee Agreement. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party party thereto, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

5.03       No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery, and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party do not and will not (a) violate or conflict with, or result in a breach of, or require any consent under (i) such Loan Party’s organizational documents, (ii) any applicable Laws which has a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) any Contractual Obligation, license or franchise of any Loan Party or by which any Loan Party or its property is bound or subject, in each case with respect to this clause (iii), which has a Material Adverse Effect or (b) constitute a default under any such Contractual Obligation, license or franchise which has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.04       Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

 

(a)       The Reference Statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein.

 

(b)       From December 31, 2017 to the Effective Date and the Initial Closing Date, there has been no event or circumstance which has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.05       Litigation. Except as disclosed in Borrower’s public filings prior to the Effective Date, no litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before an arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened by or against Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.06       Use of Proceeds. Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans solely to finance a portion of the Transactions, which, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a Borrowing of Loans after the Initial Closing Date but prior to the consummation of the intended acquisition of certain Target shares. No part of the proceeds of any Extensions of Credit hereunder will be used for “purchasing” or “carrying” “margin stock” as so defined in a manner which violates, or which would be inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulations T, U, or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

5.07       Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and Borrower, its Subsidiaries and to the knowledge of Borrower its officers, directors, employees and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of (a) Borrower, any Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of Borrower or such Subsidiary, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of Borrower, any agent of Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person.

 

 

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5.08       Target Acquisition Documents.

 

(a)       In the case of an Offer, the Offer Press Release and the Offer Documents contain all material terms of the Offer (taken as a whole) as at the date on which they were published.

 

(b)       In the case of a Scheme, the Scheme Press Release and the Scheme Documents contain all the material terms of the Scheme (taken as a whole) as at the date on which they were published.

 

SECTION 6

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Subject to Section 4.04, so long as any Obligation remains unpaid, or any portion of the Commitments remains outstanding, Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of Borrower’s reporting covenants), cause each Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

6.01       Financial Statements. Deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders, in form and detail satisfactory to Administrative Agent:

 

(a)       As soon as available but in any event within 105 days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, consolidated balance sheets as at the end of such fiscal year and related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal year of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries and certified by a Responsible Officer of Borrower, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, which report and opinion shall not be subject to any “going concern” qualification or qualifications as to the scope of the audit.

 

(b)       As soon as available, but in any event within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of Borrower ending after the Effective Date, consolidated balance sheets as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and certified by a Responsible Officer of Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to pro forma adjustments and normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

(c)       Financial statements and other documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 6.01 or Section 6.02(b) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered (i) to the extent such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, when such filing is available to the Lenders on EDGAR or (ii) in any case, on the date on which such documents are posted on Borrower’s behalf on an Internet website to which each Lender and Administrative Agent has access.

 

6.02       Certificates, Notices and Other Information. Deliver to Administrative Agent in form and detail satisfactory to Administrative Agent:

 

 

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(a)       No later than the date required for the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b), a duly completed Compliance Certificate (which shall include reconciliation of certain financial information with respect to the Restricted Group) signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower, which Compliance Certificate shall set forth the necessary adjustments to exclude the Indebtedness and EBITDA attributed to Unrestricted Subsidiaries from the calculations set forth therein and shall give pro forma effect to Material Acquisitions and Material Dispositions in accordance with Section 1.07;

 

(b)       Promptly after the same are available, copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which Borrower may file or be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;

 

(c)       Promptly after a Responsible Officer of Borrower obtaining knowledge of the occurrence thereof, notice of any Default or Event of Default specifying the nature thereof and what action Borrower has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(d)       Promptly after a Responsible Officer of Borrower obtaining knowledge of the occurrence thereof, notice of any ERISA Event that has a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(e)       Promptly after such request, such other data and information as from time to time may be reasonably requested by Administrative Agent or any Lender through Administrative Agent (it being understood that Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to provide any information or documents that are subject to confidentiality provisions, the nature of which prohibit such disclosure, or would violate any attorney-client privilege).

 

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Confidential Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.17); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”

 

6.03       Payment of Taxes. Pay and discharge when due all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed on it or on its income or profits or any of its property, except for any such tax, assessment, charge or levy which is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on its books in accordance with

 

 

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GAAP, and except for such payments which, if not paid, do not in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.04       Preservation of Existence. Preserve and maintain its existence, licenses, permits, rights, franchises and privileges necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except where failure to do so does not have a Material Adverse Effect, and except that nothing in this Section 6.04 shall prohibit any transaction permitted by Section 7.03.

 

6.05       Compliance With Laws. Comply with the requirements of all applicable Laws and orders of any Governmental Authority, noncompliance with which has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.06       Inspection Rights. At any time during regular business hours, upon reasonable notice, and as often as reasonably requested, but subject to Section 10.17, permit Administrative Agent or any Lender, or any employee, agent or representative thereof, to examine (and during the existence of an Event of Default, make copies and abstracts from) the records and books of account of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and to visit and inspect their properties and to discuss their affairs, finances and accounts with any of their officers and key employees; provided that, other than during the continuance of an Event of Default, no more than one such examination, visit or inspection shall occur during any calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to provide or otherwise allow access to any information or documents that are subject to confidentiality provisions, the nature of which prohibit such disclosure, or would violate any attorney-client privilege.

 

6.07       Keeping of Records and Books of Account. Keep, in all material respects, proper books of record and account, in which entries shall be made sufficient to permit the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

 

6.08       Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries. So long as no Default or Event of Default exists or arises as a result thereof and subject to the next succeeding sentence, Borrower may from time to time designate a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or designate an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that Borrower shall (a) provide Administrative Agent written notification of such designation prior to or concurrently therewith (which written notification Administrative Agent will promptly forward to Lenders), (b) if such designation is a Material Acquisition (in the case of the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary) or a Material Disposition (in the case of the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary), within 10 Business Days after such notification, deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate, in form reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, demonstrating pro-forma compliance (in accordance with Section 1.07) with Section 7.06 immediately prior to and after giving effect to such designation and (c) not designate as an Unrestricted Subsidiary any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary and that guarantees Material Debt unless such Guarantor is simultaneously released from its guarantee of such Material Debt. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (w) each Guarantor shall at all times be a Restricted Subsidiary for all purposes hereunder unless such Guarantor is simultaneously released as a Guarantor upon such designation as contemplated pursuant to Section 6.10, (x) unless designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with clause (y) below, each Cable Subsidiary shall at all times be a Restricted Subsidiary for all purposes hereunder, (y) Borrower may designate a Cable Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary at any time when the Leverage Ratio (calculated after giving pro forma effect to such designation) is less than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00 and (z) on and after March 28, 2018, Borrower shall not designate any Existing Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent that after giving effect to such designation, the Annualized EBITDA (as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter prior to such designation) of all such Existing Restricted Subsidiaries so designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries on and

 

 

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after March 28, 2018 would exceed 15.0% of the Annualized EBITDA of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of two fiscal quarters ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to March 28, 2018. Borrower hereby designates the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 6.08 as Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

6.09       Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

 

6.10       Guarantors. Any time after the Effective Date, Borrower may cause any of its Subsidiaries to guarantee the Obligations of Borrower hereunder by delivering to Administrative Agent an Assumption Agreement to the Guarantee Agreement, in form set forth on Annex 1 to the Guarantee Agreement and executed by such proposed Guarantor. If, at any time following the Effective Date, a Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary (including as a result of a redesignation of such Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) or ceases to be a Subsidiary, in each case as a result of a transaction not otherwise prohibited hereunder, then such Guarantor’s guarantee of the Obligations shall be automatically released and such Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations under the Guarantee Agreement.  In addition, if Borrower elects by notice in writing to Administrative Agent to cause such Guarantor to be released from its guarantee of the Obligations, and a Responsible Officer of Borrower certifies in writing that immediately after giving effect to such release, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then immediately upon the delivery of such notice and certification to Administrative Agent such Guarantor’s guarantee of the Obligations shall be automatically released and such Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations under the Guarantee Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary and that guarantees any Material Debt may be released from the Guarantee Agreement and its Guarantee Obligation thereunder, including as a result of being designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, unless such Guarantor is simultaneously released from its guarantee of such Material Debt. Administrative Agent shall execute such documents as Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence the release contemplated by this Section 6.10. 

 

6.11       Scheme and Offer. Borrower agrees that from the Effective Date, Borrower will (and will procure that Bidco will):

 

(a)       comply in all material respects with:

 

(i) the Takeover Code; and

 

(ii) all other applicable laws and regulations in relation to any Offer or Scheme,

 

in each case in relation to the Target Acquisition and, subject to any waivers or dispensations granted by the Panel, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other applicable regulator;

 

(b)       promptly provide Administrative Agent with such information as it may reasonably request regarding the Target Acquisition subject to confidentiality limitations and except to the extent it is prohibited by law or regulation from doing so; and

 

(c)       deliver to Administrative Agent as soon as reasonably practicable after it is published copies of:

 

(i) each Offer Document and any Scheme Documents; and

 

 

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(ii) each Rule 2.7 Announcement (each of which shall include terms and conditions which are (taken as a whole) not materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders (taken as a whole) when compared to those included in the draft Rule 2.7 Announcement delivered pursuant to Section 4.01(c), it being acknowledged that a waiver of a pre-condition which then becomes a condition to be satisfied in connection with the Target Acquisition or an increase to the price of the Target Acquisition will not be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders (taken as a whole); provided that Borrower may modify or amend any term or condition of any Offer or Scheme to the extent required by the Code, the Panel, any other competent regulatory body or by a court of competent jurisdiction).

 

SECTION 7

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Subject to Section 4.04, so long as any Obligations remain unpaid, or any portion of the Commitments remains outstanding:

 

7.01       Liens. Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Lien securing Indebtedness for borrowed money (including without duplication Guaranty Obligations in respect thereof) upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

 

(a)       Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;

 

(b)       Liens existing on the date hereof securing Indebtedness for borrowed money (including without duplication Guaranty Obligations in respect thereof) that does not exceed $750,000,000 in the aggregate, and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that such Liens are not extended to cover any other property, assets or revenues;

 

(c)       Liens in favor of Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(d)       Liens on “margin stock” (as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System);

 

(e)       Liens on property acquired (by purchase, merger or otherwise) after the date hereof, existing at the time of acquisition thereof (but not created in anticipation thereof), or placed thereon (at the time of such acquisition or within 180 days of such acquisition to secure a portion of the purchase price thereof), and any renewals or extensions thereof, so long as the Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted hereby; provided that such Liens do not and are not extended to cover any other property;

 

(f)       To the extent constituting Liens securing Indebtedness for borrowed money (including without duplication Guaranty Obligations in respect thereof), Liens under Sale-Leaseback Transactions, and any renewals or extensions thereof, so long as the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed $1,000,000,000 in the aggregate;

 

(g)       Liens arising in connection with asset securitization transactions, so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $2,000,000,000 at any one time;

 

 

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(h)       Liens not otherwise permitted hereby which secure Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Asset Monetization Transactions;

 

(i)       (A) Liens on any assets of the Target Group which Liens (i) are existing as of the Final Closing Date, (ii) are not incurred to secure indebtedness financing the Target Acquisition and (iii) do not extend to other assets other than (x) after acquired property that is automatically subject to such Lien, (y) proceeds and products of such property and any replacement, improvement, accessions or additions thereto and (B) any modification, replacement, refinancing, renewal or extension of such Lien; and

 

(j)       other Liens, so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness for borrowed money (including without duplication Guaranty Obligations in respect thereof) secured thereby does not exceed at any time an amount equal to (x) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets minus (y) the amount, if any, of any unsecured Indebtedness incurred by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor pursuant to Section 7.02.

 

7.02       Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Indebtedness. Borrower shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors to create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except

 

(a)       Indebtedness existing on the date hereof, in an aggregate amount not in excess of (i) the aggregate amount of the Asset Monetization Transactions set forth on Schedule A plus (ii) $2,000,000,000, and all extensions, renewals and replacements of such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

 

(b)       Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary to Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(c)       (A) Indebtedness of the Target Group that (i) is existing as of the Final Closing Date and (ii) is  not incurred to finance the Target Acquisition and (B) any modification, replacement, refinancing, renewal or extension of such Indebtedness; and

 

(d)       Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount for all such Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors not exceeding at any time (x) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets minus (y) the amount, if any, of Indebtedness for borrowed money (including without duplication Guaranty Obligations in respect thereof) of any Loan Party secured pursuant to Section 7.01(j)).

 

7.03       Fundamental Changes. (a) Borrower shall not (A) merge or consolidate with or into any Person or (B) liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself or (C) sell, transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, provided that nothing in this Section 7.03 shall be construed to prohibit Borrower from reincorporating in another jurisdiction permitted by clause (iii) below, changing its form of organization or merging into, or transferring all or substantially all of its assets to, another Person so long as:

 

(i) either (x) Borrower shall be the surviving entity with substantially the same assets immediately following the reincorporation or reorganization or (y) the surviving entity or transferee (the “Successor Corporation”) shall, immediately following the merger or transfer, as the case may be, (A) have substantially all of the assets of Borrower immediately preceding the merger or transfer, as the case may be, (B) have duly assumed all of Borrower’s obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent (and, if requested

 

 

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by Administrative Agent, the Successor Corporation shall have delivered an opinion of counsel as to the assumption of such obligations) and (C) either (I) have then-effective ratings (or implied ratings) published by Moody’s or S&P applicable to such Successor Corporation’s senior, unsecured, non-credit-enhanced, long term indebtedness for borrowed money, which ratings shall be either Baa3 or higher (if assigned by Moody’s) or BBB- or higher (if assigned by S&P) or (II) be acceptable to Required Lenders;

 

(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(iii) Borrower or a Successor Corporation’s jurisdiction of organization shall be a state within in the United States of America or the District of Columbia.

 

(b)       Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall continue to operate cable, media and other communications businesses as its primary lines of business.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for the avoidance of doubt, this Section 7.03 shall not apply to the Target Acquisition or any transactions undertaken to implement the Target Acquisition, in accordance with the Offer Documents or the Scheme Documents and the Target Acquisition shall be permitted hereunder.

 

7.04       ERISA. Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, at any time permit (a) any Plan to (i) engage in any non-exempt “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code) or (ii) fail to comply with ERISA or any other Laws applicable to a Plan or (b) the occurrence of any ERISA Event; which, with respect to each event described in clauses (a) or (b) above, has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.05       Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Borrower will not request any Borrowing and Borrower shall not use, and shall not make available to its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, the proceeds of any Borrowing (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent such activities, business or transaction are not prohibited by any Sanctions applicable to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (C) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

7.06       Financial Covenant. Borrower shall not permit the Leverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of Borrower ending after the Initial Closing Date to be greater than 5.75 to 1.00.

 

7.07       Scheme and Offer.

 

(a)       Except as consented to by the Required Lenders in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), Borrower shall not (and shall procure that Bidco shall not) amend, treat as satisfied or waive any term or condition of an Offer or a Scheme set out in the relevant Target Acquisition Document other than any such amendment, treatment or waiver which is not a Materially Adverse Amendment; provided that Borrower may amend, treat as satisfied or waive any term or condition of an Offer or a Scheme to the extent required by the Takeover Code, the Panel, any other competent regulatory body or by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

 

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(b)       In the case of an Offer, Borrower shall not (and shall procure that Bidco shall not) declare any Offer unconditional as to acceptances until the Acceptance Condition shall have been satisfied.

 

SECTION 8
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

8.01       Events of Default. Subject to Section 4.04, any one or more of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default:

 

(a)       Borrower fails to pay any principal on any of its Outstanding Obligations (other than fees) on the date when due; or

 

(b)       Borrower fails to pay any interest on any of its Outstanding Obligations, or any commitment fees, within five days after the date when due; or fails to pay any other fees or amount payable to Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document within five days after the date when due or, if applicable, after demand is made for the payment thereof; or

 

(c)       Any default occurs in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in Section 6.02(c), 7.03 or 7.06; or

 

(d)       Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsections (a), (b) or (c) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days after notice thereof to Borrower from Administrative Agent or any Lender; or

 

(e)       Any representation or warranty by any Loan Party in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any Compliance Certificate proves to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

 

(f)       (i) Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (x) defaults in any payment when due (giving effect to any stated grace periods) of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) having an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Threshold Amount or (y) defaults in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, and as a consequence, Indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Threshold Amount shall have become due (automatically or otherwise) or shall have been required to be redeemed prior to its stated maturity (provided that to the extent that any acceleration referred to in the preceding provisions of this Section 8.01(f) is duly rescinded by the required holders of the applicable Indebtedness, such acceleration shall cease to be an Event of Default hereunder, unless and except to the extent that Administrative Agent has theretofore exercised remedies hereunder pursuant to Section 8.02), or (ii) Borrower or any Guarantor shall generally not pay its debts as they become due or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature; or

 

(g)       The Guarantee Agreement, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than the agreement of Required Lenders or all Lenders, as may be required hereunder, or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be null and void, invalid or unenforceable in any material respect; or a Guarantor denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under the Guarantee Agreement, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind the Guarantee Agreement in writing; or

 

 

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(h)       A final non-appealable judgment against Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is entered for the payment of money (which is not covered by insurance) in excess of the Threshold Amount if such judgment remains unsatisfied without procurement of a stay of execution for 60 calendar days after the date of entry of such judgment; or

 

(i)       Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under Debtor Relief Laws, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of that Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under Debtor Relief Laws relating to any such Person or to all or any part of its property is instituted without the consent of that Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

 

(j)       There occurs any Change of Control.

 

8.02       Remedies Upon Event of Default. Without limiting any other rights or remedies of Administrative Agent or Lenders provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, or the other Loan Documents, or by applicable Law, or in equity, or otherwise (but subject in all cases to Section 4.04):

 

(a)       Upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of any Event of Default, Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, and (subject to the terms of Section 9) shall, upon the request of Required Lenders, declare all or any part of the unpaid principal of all Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents to be immediately due and payable, whereupon the same shall become and be immediately due and payable, without protest, presentment, notice of dishonor, demand or further notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Borrower.

 

(b)       If (x) following the expiration of the Certain Funds Period, any Event of Default described in Section 8.01(i) occurs or (y) during the Certain Funds Period, an Event of Default described in Section 8.01(i) occurs that is a Major Event of Default, then:

 

(i) the Commitments and all other obligations of Administrative Agent or Lenders shall automatically terminate without notice to or demand upon Borrower, which is expressly waived by Borrower; and

 

(ii) the unpaid principal of all Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents shall be immediately due and payable, without protest, presentment, notice of dishonor, demand or further notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Borrower.

 

(c)       Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, and (subject to the terms of Section 9) shall, upon the request of Required Lenders, protect, exercise and enforce against Borrower the rights and remedies of Administrative Agent and Lenders under the Loan Documents and such other rights and remedies as are provided by Law or equity.

 

(d)       The order and manner in which Administrative Agent’s and Lenders’ rights and remedies are to be exercised shall be determined by Administrative Agent or Required Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion. Regardless of how a Lender may treat payments for the purpose of its

 

 

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own accounting, for the purpose of computing the Obligations hereunder, payments received during the existence of an Event of Default shall be applied first, to costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by Administrative Agent and each Lender (to the extent that each Lender has a right to reimbursement thereof pursuant to the Loan Documents), second, to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the Obligations to and including the date of such application, third, to the payment of, or as cash collateral for, the unpaid principal of the Obligations, and fourth, to the payment of all other amounts (including fees) then owing to Administrative Agent and Lenders under the Loan Documents, in each case paid pro rata to each Lender in the same proportions that the aggregate Obligations owed to each Lender under the Loan Documents bear to the aggregate Obligations owed under the Loan Documents to all Lenders, without priority or preference among Lenders, subject to the last parenthetical of Section 2.01(a) of the Guarantee Agreement.

 

8.03       Clean-Up Period. Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for a period commencing on the Initial Closing Date and ending on the Clean-Up Period Termination Date, any breach of covenants, misrepresentation or other Default or Event of Default which arises with respect to the Target Group only will be deemed not to be a breach of representation or warranty, a breach of covenant, a Default or an Event of Default, as the case may be, if:

 

(a)       it relates exclusively to the Target Group (or any obligation to procure or ensure any action in relation to the Target Group);

 

(b)       it is capable of remedy and reasonable steps (consistent with Borrower’s level of control of the Target) are being taken to remedy it;

 

(c)       the circumstances giving rise to it have not been procured by or approved by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a member of the Target Group); and

 

(d)       it is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

provided that, if the relevant circumstances are continuing on or after the Clean-Up Period Termination Date, there shall be a breach of representation or warranty, breach of covenant, Default or Event of Default, as the case may be, notwithstanding this Section 8.03.

 

SECTION 9

THE AGENTS

 

9.01       Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against Administrative Agent. The provisions of this Section are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions (other than as provided in Section 9.09 below). It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with

 

 

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reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

 

9.02       Delegation of Duties. Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

 

9.03       Exculpatory Provisions. Neither any Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agents under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Agents shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party.

 

9.04       Reliance by Administrative Agent. (a) Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

 

(b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 4.01, absent Requisite Notice by such Lender to Administrative Agent to the contrary, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter either sent by Administrative Agent to each Lender for consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender.

 

9.05       Notice of Default. Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless Administrative Agent has received

 

 

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notice from a Lender or Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that Administrative Agent receives such a notice, Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to Lenders. Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders); provided that unless and until Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of Lenders.

 

9.06       Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to Lenders by Administrative Agent hereunder, Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

 

9.07       Indemnification. Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Loan Parties and without limiting the obligation of any Loan Party to do so), ratably according to their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentage in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Aggregate Exposure Percentage immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

9.08       Agent in Its Individual Capacity. Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party and its affiliates as though such Agent were not an Agent. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it, each

 

 

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Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

 

9.09       Successor Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 30 days’ notice to Lenders and Borrower. If Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among Lenders a successor agent for Lenders, which successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a), Section 8.01(b) or Section 8.01(i) with respect to Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing) be subject to approval by Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of Administrative Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 30 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Section and Sections 10.03 and 10.13 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them (i) while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and (ii) after such resignation for as long as any of them continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.

 

9.10       Syndication Agent. Neither Syndication Agent nor any Person identified on the cover page of this Agreement as a Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty hereunder in its capacity as such. Without limiting the foregoing, Syndication Agent in its capacity as such shall not have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on Syndication Agent in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.

 

9.11       Certain ERISA Matters.

 

(a)       Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, Administrative Agent and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans or the Commitments,

 

 

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(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement,

 

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

 

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

 

(b)       In addition, unless Section 9.11(a)(i) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, Administrative Agent and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of Borrower or any other Loan Party, that:

 

(i) none of Administrative Agent or any Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto),

 

(ii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50,000,000, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

 

(iii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations),

 

 

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(iv) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

 

(v) no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to Administrative Agent or any Arranger or any their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Commitments or this Agreement.

 

(c)       Administrative Agent and each Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

 

SECTION 10

MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.01       Amendments; Consents. No amendment, modification, supplement, extension, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no approval or consent thereunder, and no consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall be effective unless in writing signed by each Loan Party party thereto and Required Lenders and acknowledged by Administrative Agent (or signed by Administrative Agent with the prior written consent of Required Lenders), and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, without the approval in writing of Borrower, Administrative Agent and each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, no amendment, modification, supplement, termination, waiver, approval, or consent may be effective to:

 

(a)       Reduce the amount of principal of any Outstanding Obligations owed to such Lender;

 

(b)       Reduce the rate of interest payable on any Outstanding Obligations owed to such Lender or the amount or rate of any fee or other amount payable to such Lender under the Loan Documents, except that Required Lenders may waive or defer the imposition of the Default Rate and amendments may otherwise be made in accordance with Section 3.03;

 

(c)       Waive an Event of Default consisting of the failure of Borrower to pay when due principal, interest, any commitment fee, or any other amount payable to such Lender under the Loan Documents;

 

 

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(d)       Postpone any date scheduled for the payment of principal of, or interest on, any Loan or for the payment of any commitment fee or for the payment of any other amount, in each case payable to such Lender under the Loan Documents, or extend the term of, or increase the amount of, such Lender’s Commitment (it being understood that a waiver of any Event of Default not referred to in subsection (c) above shall require only the consent of Required Lenders) or modify such Lender’s share of the Commitments (except as contemplated hereby);

 

(e)       Amend or waive the definition of “Required Lenders” or the provisions of Section 8.02(d), this Section 10.01 or Section 10.06;

 

(f)       Amend or extend the “Certain Funds Period” or the “Certain Funds Termination Date”;

 

(g)       Amend or extend the June 30, 2018 effectiveness deadline in Section 4.01; or

 

(h)       Amend or waive any provision of this Agreement that expressly requires the consent or approval of such Lender;

 

provided, however, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by Administrative Agent in addition to Required Lenders or each affected Lender, as the case may be, affect the rights or duties of Administrative Agent, (ii) any fee letters may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed by the parties thereto, (iii) except as otherwise contemplated hereunder, without the written consent of all Lenders, no amendment, waiver or consent shall release all or substantially all of Guarantors from their obligations under the Guarantee Agreement and (iv) without the written consent of all Lenders, no amendment, waiver or consent shall change the currency of any Loan or other amount outstanding hereunder.

 

In the event that any Lender does not consent to any proposed amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that requires the consent of each of the Lenders or each of the Lenders directly and adversely affected thereby, so long as the consent of Required Lenders has been obtained, Borrower shall be permitted to remove or replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.21.

 

10.02       Requisite Notice; Electronic Communications.

 

(a)       Requisite Notice. Notices given in connection with any Loan Document shall be delivered to the intended recipient at the number and/or address (including email address) set forth in the case of Borrower and Administrative Agent on Schedule 10.02, and in the case of Lenders, on the Administrative Questionnaire (or as otherwise specified from time to time by such recipient in writing to Administrative Agent) and shall be given by (i) irrevocable written notice or (ii) except as otherwise provided, irrevocable telephonic (not voicemail) notice. Such notices may be delivered and shall be effective as follows:

 

Mode of Delivery  
Mail Effective on earlier of actual receipt and fourth Business Day after deposit in U.S. Mail, first class postage pre-paid
Courier or hand delivery When received

 

 

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Telephone (not voicemail) When conversation completed (must be confirmed in writing)
Facsimile When sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to be giving at opening of business on next Business Day for recipient)
Electronic Mail When delivered (usage subject to subsection (b) below)

(b)       Usage of Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by Electronic Communication pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Section 2 if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Section by Electronic Communications. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by Electronic Communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an email address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return email or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its email address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.

 

(c)       Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

 

(d)       Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders. Administrative Agent and Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices purportedly given by or on behalf of Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. Borrower shall indemnify Administrative Agent-Related Persons and Lenders from any loss, cost, expense or liability as a result of relying on any notices purportedly given by or on behalf of Borrower absent the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Person seeking indemnification.

 

(e)       Electronic Systems.

 

(i) Each Loan Party agrees that Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System.

 

 

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(ii) Any Electronic System used by Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or any Electronic System. In no event shall Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to Borrower or the other Loan Parties, any Lender or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind arising out of Borrower’s, any Loan Party’s or Administrative Agent’s transmission of Communications through an Electronic System, except to the extent such damages arise from bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of any Agent Party as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, provided that in no event shall any Agent Party be liable for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise).

 

10.03       Attorney Costs and Expenses. Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse Administrative Agent and Syndication Agent for all reasonable and documented or invoiced costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation, negotiation and execution of the Loan Documents, and to pay or reimburse Administrative Agent for all reasonable and documented or invoiced costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation, negotiation and execution of any amendment, waiver, consent, supplement or modification to, any Loan Documents, and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including all Attorney Costs of one counsel to Administrative Agent and Syndication Agent and (b) to pay or reimburse Administrative Agent and each Lender for all reasonable and documented or invoiced costs and expenses incurred in connection with any restructuring, reorganization (including a bankruptcy reorganization) or enforcement or attempted enforcement of, or preservation of any rights under, any Loan Documents, and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, or in connection with any refinancing or restructuring of any such documents in the nature of a “workout” or of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding, including Attorney Costs of one counsel to Administrative Agent and each Lender (and, if representation of Administrative Agent, and each Lender in such matter by a single counsel would be inappropriate based on the advice of legal counsel due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, of another firm of counsel for such affected Person(s) (taken as a whole) and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in any relevant local jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) for such affected Person(s)). The agreements in this Section shall survive repayment of all Obligations.

 

10.04       Binding Effect; Assignment

 

(a)       This Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrower, Administrative Agent, Lenders and their respective successors and assigns, except that, Borrower may not, except as permitted by Section 7.03, assign its rights hereunder or thereunder or any interest herein or therein without the prior written consent of all Lenders and any such attempted assignment shall be void. Any Lender may at any time pledge a Note or any other instrument evidencing its rights as a Lender under this Agreement (including to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender or, if such Lender is a fund, to any trustee or to any other representative of holders of obligations owed or securities issued by such fund as security for such obligations or securities) but no such pledge shall

 

 

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release such Lender from its obligations hereunder or grant to any such pledgee the rights of a Lender hereunder absent foreclosure of such pledge, and any transfer to any Person upon the enforcement of such pledge shall be subject to this Section 10.04.

 

(b)       From time to time following the date of this Agreement, each Lender may assign all or any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to one or more Eligible Assignees, other than (i) Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (ii) natural persons; provided that such assignment shall be subject to Borrower’s consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld) at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default arising under Section 8.01(a), Section 8.01(b) or Section 8.01(i) and the consent of Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided that the consent of Borrower shall not be required with respect to (x) an assignment to another Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender or (y) an assignment of Loans (but for the avoidance of doubt, not any Commitments) to any Approved Fund unless, in the cases of clauses (x) and (y), such assignment would result in the aggregate Loans and Commitments of such assignee and its Affiliates exceeding 15% of the aggregate Commitments and Loans then outstanding. No such assignment shall become effective unless and until a copy of a duly signed and completed Assignment and Assumption shall be delivered to Administrative Agent. Except in the case of an assignment (A) to another Lender or (B) of the entire remaining Commitment or Loan, as applicable, of the assigning Lender, such assignment shall be in an aggregate principal amount not less than the Minimum Amount therefor without the consent of Borrower and Administrative Agent. The effective date of any assignment shall be as specified in the Assignment and Assumption, but not earlier than the date which is five Business Days after the date Administrative Agent has received the Assignment and Assumption. Upon obtaining any consent required as set forth this paragraph, any forms required by Section 10.20 and payment of the requisite fee described below, the assignee named therein shall be a Lender for all purposes of this Agreement to the extent of the Assigned Interest (as defined in such Assignment and Assumption), and, except for rights and obligations which by their terms survive termination of any Commitments or the repayment of the Loans, the assigning Lender shall be released from any further obligations under this Agreement to the extent of such Assigned Interest. Upon request, Borrower shall execute and deliver new or replacement Notes to the assigning Lender and the assignee Lender to evidence Loans made by them. Administrative Agent’s consent to any assignment shall not be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Administrative Agent-Related Person as to any matter. Administrative Agent shall record the information contained in the Assignment and Assumption in the Register.

 

(c)       After receipt of a completed Assignment and Assumption, and receipt of an assignment fee of $3,500 from such assignee and/or such assigning Lender (including in the case of assignments to Affiliates of assigning Lenders), Administrative Agent shall promptly accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register on the effective date determined pursuant thereto.

 

(d)       Each Lender may from time to time, without the consent of any other Person, grant participations to one or more other Persons that are Eligible Assignees (including another Lender but excluding (x) Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (y) natural persons) in all or any portion of its Loans, Commitments, Extensions of Credit or any other interest of such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided, however, that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the participating bank or other financial institution shall not be a Lender hereunder for any purpose except, if the participation agreement so provides, for the purposes of the increased cost provisions (including yield protection and taxes) of Section 3 (but only to the extent that the cost of such benefits to Borrower does not exceed the cost which Borrower would have incurred in respect of such Lender absent the participation) and for

 

 

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purposes of Section 10.06, (iv) Borrower, Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, and (v) the consent of the holder of such participation interest shall not be required for amendments or waivers of provisions of the Loan Documents; provided, however, that the assigning Lender may, in any agreement with a participant, give such participant the right to consent (as between the assigning Lender and such participant) to any matter which (A) extends the Certain Funds Termination Date or the Maturity Date as to such participant or any other date upon which any payment of money is due to such participant, (B) reduces the rate of interest owing to such participant or any fee or any other monetary amount owing to such participant (except as otherwise provided in Section 10.07(b)), or (C) reduces the amount of any scheduled payment of principal owing to such participant. Any Lender that sells a participation to any Person that is a “foreign corporation, partnership or trust” within the meaning of the Code shall include in its participation agreement with such Person a covenant by such Person that such Person will comply with the provisions of Section 10.20 as if such Person were a Lender and provide that Administrative Agent and Borrower shall be third party beneficiaries of such covenant. Each Lender that sells or grants a participation shall (a) withhold or deduct from each payment to the holder of such participation the amount of any tax required under applicable law to be withheld or deducted from such payment and not withheld or deducted therefrom by Borrower or Administrative Agent, (b) pay the tax so withheld or deducted by it to the appropriate taxing authority in accordance with applicable law and (c) indemnify Borrower and Administrative Agent for any losses, cost and expenses that they may incur as a result of any failure to so withhold or deduct and pay such tax.

 

Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any participant or any information relating to a participant’s interest in any Commitments, Extensions of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitments, Extensions of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1 (c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.04, (a) the written consent of Borrower (in its sole discretion) shall be required for any assignment or participation (other than assignments by a Lender to any of its Affiliates) on or prior to the Certain Funds Termination Date and any such attempted assignment or participation without the written consent of Borrower shall be null and void and (b) in connection with any assignment of Commitments on or prior to the Certain Funds Termination Date by a Lender to any of its Affiliates, the assigning Lender shall not be relieved of its obligations (as in effect immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment) to fund Loans in respect of its Commitments pursuant to this Agreement without the prior written consent of Borrower (in its sole discretion).

 

10.05       Set-off. Without prejudice to and subject to Section 4.04, in addition to any rights and remedies of Administrative Agent and Lenders or any assignee of any Lender or any Affiliate thereof (each, a “Proceeding Party”) provided by law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Proceeding Party is authorized at any time and from time to time, without

 

 

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prior notice to Borrower, any such notice being waived by Borrower to the fullest extent permitted by law, to proceed directly, by right of set-off, banker’s lien or otherwise, against any assets of Borrower which may be in the hands of such Proceeding Party (including all general or special, time or demand, provisional or other deposits and other indebtedness owing by such Proceeding Party to or for the credit or the account of Borrower) and apply such assets against the Obligations then due and payable, irrespective of whether such Proceeding Party shall have made any demand therefor. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify Borrower and Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

 

10.06       Sharing of Payments. Each Lender severally agrees that if it, through the exercise of any right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim against Borrower or otherwise, receives payment of the Obligations held by it that is ratably more than any other Lender receives in payment of the Obligations held by such other Lender, then, subject to applicable Laws, (a) such Lender exercising the right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim or otherwise receiving such payment shall purchase, and shall be deemed to have simultaneously purchased, from the other Lender a participation in the Obligations held by the other Lender and shall pay to the other Lender a purchase price in an amount so that the share of the Obligations held by each Lender after the exercise of the right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim or receipt of payment shall be in the same proportion that existed prior to the exercise of the right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim or receipt of payment; and (b) such other adjustments and purchases of participations shall be made from time to time as shall be equitable to ensure that all Lenders share any payment obtained in respect of the Obligations ratably in accordance with each Lender’s share of the Obligations immediately prior to, and without taking into account, the payment; provided that, (i) if all or any portion of a disproportionate payment obtained as a result of the exercise of the right of setoff, banker’s lien, counterclaim or otherwise is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender by Borrower or any Person claiming through or succeeding to the rights of Borrower, the purchase of a participation shall be rescinded and the purchase price thereof shall be restored to the extent of the recovery, but without interest and (ii) this Section 10.06 shall not apply to any payments made in accordance with the express provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. Each Lender that purchases a participation in the Obligations pursuant to this Section shall from and after the purchase have the right to give all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications under this Agreement with respect to the portion of the Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the purchasing Lender were the original owner of the Obligations purchased. Borrower expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements and agrees that any Lender holding a participation in an Obligation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim with respect to the participation as fully as if Lender were the original owner of the Obligation purchased.

 

10.07       No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.

 

(a)       No failure by any Lender or Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any Lender or Administrative Agent in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege under any Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

 

(b)       The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein or therein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Law. Any decision by Administrative Agent or any Lender not to require payment of any interest (including interest at the Default Rate), fee, cost or other amount payable under any Loan Document or to calculate any amount payable by a particular method on any occasion shall in no way limit or be deemed a waiver of Administrative Agent’s or such Lender’s right to require full payment thereof, or

 

 

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to calculate an amount payable by another method that is not inconsistent with this Agreement, on any other or subsequent occasion.

 

(c)       Except with respect to Section 9.09, the terms and conditions of Section 9 are for the sole benefit of the Agents and Lenders.

 

10.08       Usury. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excessive interest shall be applied to the principal of the Outstanding Obligations or, if it exceeds the unpaid principal, refunded to Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged or received by Administrative Agent or any Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread, in equal or unequal parts, the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations.

 

10.09       Counterparts, Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation Assignment and Assumptions, amendments or other modifications, Requests for Extensions of Credit, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.

 

10.10       Integration. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents and any letter agreements referred to herein, comprises the complete and integrated agreement of the parties regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on the subject matter hereof. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall control and govern; provided that the inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in favor of Administrative Agent or Lenders in any other Loan Document shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement. Each Loan Document was drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof. THE LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES THERETO AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT

 

 

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ORAL AGREEMENTS BY SUCH PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN SUCH PARTIES.

 

10.11       Nature of Lenders’ Obligations. Nothing contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document and no action taken by Administrative Agent or Lenders or any of them pursuant hereto or thereto may, or may be deemed to, make Lenders a partnership, an association, a joint venture or other entity, either among themselves or with Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower. Each Lender’s obligation to make any Extension of Credit pursuant hereto is several and not joint or joint and several. A default by any Lender will not increase the Commitments attributable to any other Lender.

 

10.12       Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document shall survive the execution and delivery thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by Administrative Agent and each Lender, notwithstanding any investigation made by Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf.

 

10.13       Indemnity by Borrower. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, Borrower agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each Administrative Agent-Related Person, each other Agent, each Person identified on the cover page of this Agreement as a Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner and each Lender and their respective Affiliates and their and their Affiliates’ respective directors, officers, agents, attorneys and employees (collectively the “Indemnitees”) from and against: (i) any and all claims, demands, actions or causes of action that are asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person relating directly or indirectly to a claim, demand, action or cause of action that such Person asserts or may assert against Borrower, any of its Affiliates or any of its officers or directors; (ii) any and all claims, demands, actions or causes of action arising out of or relating to the Loan Documents, the Commitments, the Loans, the use or contemplated use of the proceeds of any Extension of Credit, or the relationship of Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders under this Agreement; (iii) any administrative or investigative proceeding by any Governmental Authority arising out of or related to a claim, demand, action or cause of action described in clauses (i) or (ii) above; and (iv) any and all liabilities (including liabilities under indemnities), losses, costs or expenses (including Attorney Costs (limited to one law firm for Lenders unless Lenders have differing interests or defenses that preclude the engagement of one law firm to represent Lenders)), that any Indemnitee suffers or incurs as a result of the assertion of any foregoing claim, demand, action, cause of action or proceeding, or as a result of the preparation of any defense in connection with any foregoing claim, demand, action, cause of action or proceeding, in all cases, including settlement costs incurred with the prior written consent of Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), whether or not arising out of the negligence of an Indemnitee, and whether or not an Indemnitee is a party to such claim, demand, action, cause of action or proceeding (all the foregoing, collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”); provided that no Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification for any Indemnified Liability to the extent (i) it is found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from (x) the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee or (y) a material breach by such Indemnitee of its express obligations under this Agreement; or (ii) not resulting from an act or omission of Borrower or any of its Affiliates in respect of a claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding by one Lender against another Lender (in each case, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding each of the Agents and each Person identified on the cover page of this Agreement as a Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner in each case in its capacity as such). In no event shall any Indemnitee be liable for any damages arising from the use by unauthorized Persons of information or other materials sent through electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems that are intercepted by such Persons except to the extent it is found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee. This Section 10.13 shall not apply with

 

 

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respect to taxes other than any taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-tax claim. The agreements in this Section shall survive repayment of all Obligations.

 

10.14       Nonliability of Lenders. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(a)       Any inspections of any property of Borrower made by or through Administrative Agent or Lenders are for purposes of administration of the Loan Documents only, and Borrower is not entitled to rely upon the same (whether or not such inspections are at the expense of Borrower);

 

(b)       By accepting or approving anything required to be observed, performed, fulfilled or given to Administrative Agent or Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, neither Administrative Agent nor Lenders shall be deemed to have warranted or represented the sufficiency, legality, effectiveness or legal effect of the same, or of any term, provision or condition thereof, and such acceptance or approval thereof shall not constitute a warranty or representation to anyone with respect thereto by Administrative Agent or Lenders;

 

(c)       The relationship between Borrower and Administrative Agent and Lenders is, and shall at all times remain, solely that of borrower and lenders; neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender undertakes or assumes any responsibility or duty to Borrower or its Affiliates to select, review, inspect, supervise, pass judgment upon or inform Borrower or its Affiliates of any matter in connection with their property or the operations of Borrower or its Affiliates; Borrower and its Affiliates shall rely entirely upon their own judgment with respect to such matters; and any review, inspection, supervision, exercise of judgment or supply of information undertaken or assumed by Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with such matters is solely for the protection of Administrative Agent and Lenders and neither Borrower nor any other Person is entitled to rely thereon;

 

(d)       In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and each Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the financing transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Loan Party hereby agrees not to assert any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with the financing transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(e)       Administrative Agent and Lenders, and their Affiliates, may have economic interests that conflict with those of Borrower and its Affiliates; and

 

 

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(f)       Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible or liable to any Person for any loss, damage, liability or claim of any kind relating to injury or death to Persons or damage to property caused by the actions, inaction or negligence of Borrower and/or its Affiliates and Borrower hereby indemnifies and holds Administrative Agent and Lenders harmless from any such loss, damage, liability or claim.

 

10.15       No Third Parties Benefitted. This Agreement is made for the purpose of defining and setting forth certain obligations, rights and duties of Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders in connection with the Extensions of Credit, and is made for the sole benefit of Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders, Administrative Agent’s and Lenders’ successors and permitted assigns. Except as provided in Section 10.04, no other Person shall have any rights of any nature hereunder or by reason hereof.

 

10.16       Severability. Any provision of the Loan Documents that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective and severable to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions thereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Administrative Agent, Lenders and Borrower agree to negotiate, in good faith, the terms of a replacement provision as similar to the severed provision as may be possible and be legal, valid, and enforceable.

 

10.17       Confidentiality. Administrative Agent and each Lender shall use any confidential non-public information concerning Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates that is furnished to Administrative Agent or such Lender by or on behalf of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with the Loan Documents (collectively, “Confidential Information”) solely for the purpose of administering and enforcing the Loan Documents, and it will hold the Confidential Information in confidence and will not disclose, directly or indirectly, such information to any Person, except (a) to their affiliates or any of their or their affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, auditors, counsel, advisors, or representatives (collectively, the “Representatives”) who need to know such information for the purposes set forth in this Section and who have been advised of and acknowledge their obligation to keep such information confidential and limit the use of such information in accordance with this Section, (b) to any Eligible Assignee to which such Lender has assigned or desires to assign an interest or participation in the Loan Documents or the Obligations or to any direct or indirect contractual counterparties (or the professional advisors thereto) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to Borrower and its obligations, provided that any such foregoing recipient of such Confidential Information agrees to keep such Confidential Information confidential and limit the use of such Confidential Information as specified herein, (c) to any governmental agency or regulatory body (including self-regulatory bodies) having or claiming to have authority to regulate or oversee any aspect of Administrative Agent’s or such Lender’s business or that of their Representatives in connection with the exercise of such authority or claimed authority (in which case such Lender shall, except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority, use reasonable efforts to promptly notify Borrower, in advance, to the extent lawfully permitted to do so), (d) to the extent necessary or appropriate to enforce any right or remedy or in connection with any claims asserted by or against Administrative Agent or such Lender or any of their Representatives, (e) pursuant to any subpoena or any similar legal process (in which case such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to promptly notify Borrower, in advance, to the extent permitted by Law), (f) to other Lenders and (g) with the consent of Borrower. For purposes hereof, the term “Confidential Information” shall not include information that (w) pertains to this Agreement (but not any other information concerning Borrower) routinely provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry, (x) is in Administrative Agent’s or a Lender’s possession prior to its being provided by or on behalf of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, provided that such

 

 

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information is not known by Administrative Agent or such Lender to be subject to another confidentiality agreement with, or other legal or contractual obligation of confidentiality to, Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, (y) is or becomes publicly available (other than through a breach hereof by Administrative Agent or such Lender), or (z) becomes available to Administrative Agent or such Lender on a nonconfidential basis, provided that the source of such information was not known by Administrative Agent or such Lender to be bound by a confidentiality agreement or other legal or contractual obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information.

 

Each of the Lenders confirms that it is aware of the terms and requirements of Practice Statement No. 25 (Debt Syndication during Offer Periods) published by the Panel on 17 June 2009. This section 10.17 is without prejudice to any undertakings or confirmations given by the Lenders to the Borrower in connection with, or for the purposes of ensuring compliance with Practice Statement No. 25 (Debt Syndication during Offer Periods).

 

10.18       Headings. Section headings in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and are not part of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents for any other purpose.

 

10.19       Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence of the Loan Documents.

 

10.20       Status of Lenders and Administrative Agent. (a) (i) Each Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter if requested in writing by Borrower or Administrative Agent, executed originals of IRS Form W-9, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax; (ii) Each Lender organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, on or prior to the date of this Agreement in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages hereof and on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Lender in the case of each other Lender, and from time to time thereafter if requested in writing by Borrower or Administrative Agent, shall provide Borrower and Administrative Agent (but only so long as such Lender remains lawfully able to do so) with (x) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, certifying that such Lender is entitled to benefits under an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party which reduces the rate of withholding tax on payments of interest, IRS Form W-8ECI, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, certifying that the income receivable pursuant to the Loan Documents is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, or IRS Form W-8EXP, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, (y) if such Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and intends to claim an exemption from United States withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest,” IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, and a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 representing that such Lender is not a bank for purposes of Section 881(c) of the Code, is not a ten-percent shareholder (within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code) of Borrower, and is not a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) or (z) to the extent such Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, or any successor form prescribed by the IRS, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner. Thereafter and from time to time, each such Person shall (i) promptly submit to Administrative Agent such additional duly completed and signed copies of one of such forms (or such

 

 

 68

successor forms as shall be adopted from time to time by the relevant United States taxing authorities) as may then be available under then current United States laws and regulations to avoid, or such evidence as is satisfactory to Borrower and Administrative Agent of any available exemption from or reduction of, United States withholding taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Person by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) promptly notify Administrative Agent of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction and (iii) take such steps as shall not be materially disadvantageous to it, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, and as may be reasonably necessary (including the re-designation of its Lending Office) to avoid any requirement of applicable Laws that Borrower make any deduction or withholding for taxes from amounts payable to such Person. If such Person fails to deliver the above forms or other documentation, then Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Person an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax imposed by Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code, without reduction. If any Governmental Authority asserts that Administrative Agent did not properly withhold any tax or other amount from payments made in respect of such Person, such Person shall indemnify Administrative Agent therefor, including all penalties and interest, any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts payable to Administrative Agent under this Section, and costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs) of Administrative Agent. The obligation of Lenders under this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations and the resignation of Administrative Agent.

 

(b)       If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent as may be necessary for Borrower and Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Subsection 10.20(b), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall promptly update and deliver such form or certification to Borrower and Administrative Agent or promptly notify Borrower and Administrative Agent in writing of its legal ineligibility to do so.

 

(c)       The Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower two executed originals of whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(i) if the Administrative Agent is a U.S. Person, IRS Form W-9 certifying to such Administrative Agent’s exemption from U.S. federal backup withholding or

 

(ii) if the Administrative Agent is not a U.S. Person,

 

(A) IRS Form W-8ECI with respect to payments received for its own account and

 

(B) IRS Form W-8IMY with respect to any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent for the account of others, certifying that it is a U.S. branch of a foreign bank or insurance company described in Regulations section 1.1441-

 

 

 69

1(b)(2)(iv)(A) that is a participating FFI (including a reporting Model 2 FFI), registered deemed-compliant FFI (including a reporting Model 1 FFI), or NFFE that is using this form as evidence of its agreement with the withholding agent to be treated as a U.S. person with respect to any payments associated with this withholding certificate.

 

The Administrative Agent agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

10.21       Removal and Replacement of Lenders.

 

(a)       In the event that any Lender (i) requests compensation under Sections 3.01 or 3.04, (ii) becomes a Defaulting Lender or (iii) does not consent to any proposed amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that requires the consent of each of the Lenders or each of the Lenders affected thereby (in the case of this clause (iii), so long as the consent of the Required Lenders to such amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver has been obtained), Borrower may, upon notice to such Lender and Administrative Agent, remove or replace such Lender by (A) non-ratably terminating such Lender’s Commitment and/or (B) causing such Lender to assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.04(b) to one or more other Lenders or eligible assignees procured by Borrower and otherwise reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent; provided that such assigning Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal, interest and fees owed to such Lender from the assignee Lender or Borrower or such lesser amount as may be agreed with such Lender. Borrower shall, in the case of a termination of such Lender’s Commitment and prepayment of its Loans pursuant to clause (A) preceding, (x) pay in full all principal, interest, fees and other amounts owing to such Lender through the date of termination and prepayment (including any amounts payable pursuant to Section 3), except as may otherwise be agreed with such Lender and (y) release such Lender from its obligations under the Loan Documents from and after the date of termination. Borrower shall, in the case of an assignment pursuant to clause (B) preceding, cause to be paid the assignment fee payable to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.04(c). Any such Lender whose Commitment or Loan is being assigned shall, upon payment of (i) all amounts owed to it pursuant to the proviso in clause (B) preceding and (ii) the assignment fee as described in the preceding sentence, be deemed to have executed and delivered an Assignment and Assumption covering such Lender’s Commitment or Loan, as applicable. Administrative Agent shall distribute an amended Schedule 2.01, which shall be deemed incorporated into this Agreement, to reflect adjustments to the Lenders and their Commitments.

 

(b)       If fees cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitments of a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.14(a), such fees shall not be paid to the non-Defaulting Lenders (or replacement Lenders in respect of any fees accruing prior to such replacement Lender becoming a Lender hereunder).

 

(c) This Section shall supersede any provisions in Section 10.01 to the contrary.

 

10.22       Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers.

 

(a)       THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY DISPUTE, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT (WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

 70

(b)       Each party to this Agreement irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(i) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(ii) agrees that a final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court may be enforced in any other court to whose jurisdiction the applicable party is or may be subject, by suit upon judgment;

 

(iii) consents that any such action or proceeding may only be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(iv) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to it at its address provided for in Section 10.02;

 

(v) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; and

 

(vi) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 10.22 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages; provided the waiver set forth in this clause (vi) shall not affect any obligation of Borrower under Section 10.13.

 

10.23       Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

10.24       USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender hereby notifies Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “PATRIOT Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Borrower and Guarantors, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and Guarantors and other information that will allow such Lender to identify Borrower and Guarantors in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.

 

10.25       Judgment Currency.

 

 

 71

(a)       If for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in one currency into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency in the city in which it normally conducts its foreign exchange operation for the first currency on the Business Day preceding the day on which final judgment is given.

 

(b)       The obligation of Borrower in respect of any sum due from it to any Lender or Agent hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Lender of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency such Lender may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such Lender in the Agreement Currency, Borrower agrees notwithstanding any such judgment to indemnify such Lender against such loss, and if the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased exceeds the sum originally due to any Lender, such Lender agrees to remit to Borrower such excess.

 

10.26       Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a)       the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

(b)       the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK.
SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW.]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.

 

  Comcast Corporation
       
       
  By: /s/William E. Dordelman
    Name:    William E. Dordelman
    Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  Bank OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent
     
     
  By: /s/Melissa Mullis
  Name: Melissa Mullis
  Title: Assistant Vice President
     
     
  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender
     
     
  By: /s/Bandon Bolio
  Name: Brandon Bolio
  Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 


  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender and Syndication Agent
       
       
  By: /s/ Nicholas Grocholski
    Name:  Nicholas Grocholski
    Title: Director

 

 

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS
  BRANCH, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/William O’Daly
    Name: William O’Daly
    Title Authorized Signatory
       
       
       
  By:   /s/Brady Bingham
    Name: Brady Bingham
    Title: Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  MIZUHO BANK, LTD., as a Lender
       
       
  By:  _/s/Raymond Ventura
    Name: Raymond Ventura
    Title: Managing Director

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  MUFG BANK, LTD., as a Lender
       
       
  By:  /s/Matthew Hillman
    Name: Matthew Hillman
    Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

  SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/Toshitake Funaki
    Name: Toshitake Funaki 
    Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  BNP PARIBAS, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/Christopher Sked
    Name: Christopher Sked
    Title: Managing Director
       
       
  By: /s/Karim Remtoula
    Name: Karim Remtoula
    Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as a Lender
       
       
  By:  /s/Allan Kortan
    Name: Allan Kortan
    Title: Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
       
       
  By: /s/Savo Bozic
    Name: Savo Bozic
    Title: Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  COMMERZBANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/ Paolo de Alessandrini
    Name: Paolo de Alessandrini
    Title: Managing Director
       
       
  By: /s/Mathew Ward
    Name: Mathew Ward
    Title: Director

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  DNB CAPITAL LLC, as a Lender
       
       
  By:  /s/Philip F. Kurpiewski
    Name: Philip F. Kurpiewski
    Title: Senior Vice President
       
       
  By:  /s/ Kristi Birkeland Sorensen
    Name: Kristi Birkeland Sorensen
    Title: Senior Vice President

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  SOCIETE GENERALE, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/ Michael Finkelman
    Name: Michael Finkelman
    Title: Managing Director

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/ John M. DiNapoli
    Name: John M. DiNapoli
    Title: Senior Vice President

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

  U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/ Garret Komjathy
    Name:  Garret Komjathy
    Title: Senior Vice President


 

 

 

[Signature Page to Bridge Credit Agreement]

 

 

Schedule A

 

Asset Monetization Transactions

 

Description:

 

1.CENTAUR FUNDING CORP (Vodafone Preferred)

 

S-1

 

Schedule 2.01

 

Commitments

 

Name of Lender Applicable Percentage

364-Day

Bridge Facility Commitment

Bank of America, N.A. 17.500000000% £2,800,000,000.00
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association 13.000000000% £2,080,000,000.00
Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch 9.000000000% £1,440,000,000.00
Mizuho Bank, Ltd. 9.000000000% £1,440,000,000.00
MUFG Bank, Ltd. 9.000000000% £1,440,000,000.00
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation 9.000000000% £1,440,000,000.00
BNP Paribas 5.500000000% £880,000,000.00
Royal Bank of Canada 5.500000000% £880,000,000.00
The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch 5.500000000% £880,000,000.00
Commerzbank AG, New York Branch 3.400000000% £544,000,000.00
DNB Capital LLC 3.400000000% £544,000,000.00
Societe Generale 3.400000000% £544,000,000.00
PNC Bank, National Association 3.400000000% £544,000,000.00
U.S. Bank National Association 3.400000000% £544,000,000.00
Total 100.000000000% £16,000,000,000.00

 

S-2

 

Schedule 6.08

 

Unrestricted Subsidiaries

 

1.Comcast Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries (except Comcast Cable Communications, LLC and its subsidiaries)

 

2.Comcast Navy Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries, including NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc.

 

3.NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc. (f/k/a Navy Holdings, Inc.)

 

4.Comcast Contribution Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries

 

5.Comcast Navy Contribution, LLC and its subsidiaries

 

a.NBCUniversal, LLC and its subsidiaries (except for NBCUniversal Media, LLC)

 

6.Comcast Navy Acquisition, LLC and its subsidiaries

 

7.Comcast CSA Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries

 

8.NBCUniversal Asia, LLC and its subsidiaries (Universal Studios Japan)

 

9.Subsidiaries of Universal City Studios Productions LLLP that are solely and specifically related to Comcast’s ownership and development of a theme park in Beijing China and all of their current and future subsidiaries. Those entities existing as of the date hereof are: (i) Universal Studios Recreation China Planning Services LLC, (ii) Universal Beijing WFOE Holding LLC, (iii) Universal Beijing Servicer Holding LLC, (iv) Universal Beijing Development Services LLC, (v) Universal Beijing Owner Holding LLC and (vi) Universal Beijing Services LLC

 

10.AWTV, LLC and its subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

Note: “subsidiaries” includes all current and future subsidiaries

 

S-3

 

Schedule 10.02

 

Addresses for Notices

 

If to Borrower, to:

 

Comcast Corporation
One Comcast Center
Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Attention: General Counsel
Telephone: (215) 286-7564
Facsimile: (215) 286-7794
E-mail: corporate_legal@comcast.com

 

If to Administrative Agent, to:

 

Administrative Agent’s Office

(for payments and Requests for Credit Extensions): 

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent 

Building C, TX2-984-03-23 

2380 Performance Drive 

Richardson, TX 75082 

Attention: Jared McClure 

Tel: 469-201-4418 

Facsimile: 214-290-9413 

Email: jared.l.mcclure@baml.com

 

Other Notices as Administrative Agent

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent 

900 W. Trade St., 6th Floor 

NC1-026-06-03 

Charlotte, NC 28255 

Attention: Melissa Mullis 

Tel: 980-386-9372 

Facsimile: 704-409-0617 

Email: melissa.mullis@baml.com

 

S-4

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

 

[Attached]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

 

made by

 

COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC

 

NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC

 

and the other Subsidiaries from time to time parties hereto

 

in favor of

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. as Administrative Agent

 

Dated as of April 25, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

Section 1 DEFINED TERMS 1
1.01.   Definitions 1
1.02.   Other Definitional Provisions 2
Section 2 GUARANTEE 2
2.01.   Guarantee 2
2.02.   Right of Contribution 3
2.03.   No Subrogation 3
2.04.   Amendments, etc. with respect to the Borrower Obligations 4
2.05.   Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional 4
2.06.   Reinstatement 5
2.07.   Payments 5
Section 3 MISCELLANEOUS 5
3.01.   Amendments in Writing 5
3.02.   Notices 5
3.03.   No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies 5
3.04.   Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification 6
3.05.   Successors and Assigns 6
3.06.   Set-Off 6
3.07.   Counterparts 6
3.08.   Severability 7
3.09.   Section Headings 7
3.10.   Integration 7
3.11.   GOVERNING LAW 7
3.12.   Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers 7
3.13.   Acknowledgements 8
3.14.   Additional Guarantors 8
3.15.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 8

 

SCHEDULES
Schedule 1 Notice Addresses
ANNEXES
Annex 1 Form Assumption Agreement

 

 

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of April 25, 2018, made by each of the signatories hereto, in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the banks and other financial institutions or entities (the “Lenders”) from time to time parties to the 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among COMCAST CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have severally agreed to make extensions of credit to the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower is a member of an affiliated group of companies that includes each Guarantor;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and Guarantors are engaged in related businesses, and each Guarantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the making of the extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Credit Agreement that the Guarantors shall have executed and delivered this Agreement to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Borrower thereunder, each Guarantor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as follows:

 

SECTION 1

DEFINED TERMS

 

1.01       Definitions. (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)       The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Agreement”: this Guarantee Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Borrower Obligations”: the collective reference to the unpaid principal of and interest on the Loans made to the Borrower and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower (including, without limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the maturity of the Loans made to it and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the

 

 

 

Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, the Credit Agreement, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other document made, delivered or given in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing agreements).

 

“Guarantor Obligations”: with respect to any Guarantor, all obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor which may arise under or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 2) or any other Loan Document to which such Guarantor is a party, in each case whether on account of guarantee obligations, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by such Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document).

 

“Guarantors”: the collective reference to each of the signatories hereto and the other entities that may become a party hereto as provided herein (in each case, unless released pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents).

 

“Obligations”: in the case of each Guarantor, its Guarantor Obligations.

 

1.02       Other Definitional Provisions. v) The words “hereof,” “herein”, “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(b)       The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

SECTION 2

GUARANTEE

 

2.01       Guarantee. (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.01(b), each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns, the prompt and complete payment and performance by the Borrower when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Borrower Obligations.

 

(b)       Anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Guarantor hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in its capacity as Guarantor shall in no event exceed the amount which can be guaranteed by such Guarantor under applicable federal and state laws relating to the insolvency of debtors (after giving effect to the right of contribution established in Section 2.02).

 

(c)       Each Guarantor agrees that the Borrower Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such Guarantor hereunder without

 

 

 

impairing the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or affecting the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder.

 

(d)       The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall remain in full force and effect until all the Borrower Obligations and the obligations of each Guarantor under the guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall have been satisfied by payment in full (other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations) and all Commitments shall be terminated, notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of the Credit Agreement the Borrower may be free from the Borrower Obligations.

 

(e)       No payment made by the Borrower, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrower, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Borrower Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of any Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such Guarantor in respect of the Borrower Obligations or any payment received or collected from such Guarantor in respect of the Borrower Obligations), remain liable for the Borrower Obligations up to the maximum liability of such Guarantor hereunder until the Borrower Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations) are paid in full and all Commitments are terminated.

 

2.02       Right of Contribution. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that a Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other Guarantor hereunder which has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. For purposes of this Section 2.02, “proportionate share” means, as to any Guarantor, a fraction the numerator of which shall be the net worth of such Guarantor and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate net worth of all Guarantors. Each Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.03. The provisions of this Section 2.02 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

 

2.03       No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment made by any Guarantor hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of any Guarantor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower or any Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Borrower Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Borrower or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders by the Borrower on account of the Borrower Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations) are paid in full and all Commitments are terminated. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Borrower Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations) shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such

 

 

 

Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, if required), to be applied against the Borrower Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as the Administrative Agent may determine.

 

2.04       Amendments, etc. with respect to the Borrower Obligations. Each Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or further assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Borrower Obligations made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be rescinded by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and any of the Borrower Obligations continued, and the Borrower Obligations, or the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Administrative Agent (or the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as the case may be) may deem advisable from time to time, and any collateral security, guarantee or right of offset at any time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Borrower Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by it as security for the Borrower Obligations or for the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or any property subject thereto.

 

2.05       Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional. Each Guarantor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the Borrower Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or acceptance of the guarantee contained in this Section 2; the Borrower Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2; and all dealings between the Borrower and any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2. Each Guarantor waives diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or nonpayment to or upon the Borrower or any of the Guarantors with respect to the Borrower Obligations. Each Guarantor understands and agrees that the guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment without regard to (a) the validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, any of the Borrower Obligations or any collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, (b) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by the Borrower or any other Person against the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or (c) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of the Borrower or such Guarantor) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Borrower for the Borrower Obligations, or of such Guarantor under the guarantee contained in this Section 2, in bankruptcy or in any other instance. When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and remedies as it may have against the Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee for the

 

 

 

Borrower Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from the Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of the Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve any Guarantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against any Guarantor. For the purposes hereof “demand” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.

 

2.06       Reinstatement. The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Borrower Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

2.07       Payments. Each Guarantor hereby guarantees that payments hereunder will be paid to the Administrative Agent without set-off or counterclaim in the currency otherwise required pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement at the Administrative Agent’s Office.

 

SECTION 3

MISCELLANEOUS

 

3.01       Amendments in Writing. None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement.

 

3.02       Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the Administrative Agent or any Guarantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement; provided that any such notice, request or demand to or upon any Guarantor shall be addressed to such Guarantor at its notice address set forth on Schedule 1.

 

3.03       No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 3.01), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Administrative Agent or such Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.

 

 

 

3.04       Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification. (a) Each Guarantor agrees to pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its costs and expenses incurred in collecting against such Guarantor under the guarantee contained in Section 2 or otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Guarantor is a party, but solely to the extent such costs and expenses would be reimbursable by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.03 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)       Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save the Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement to the extent the Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to Section 10.03 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(c)       The agreements in this Section 3.04 shall survive repayment of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

3.05       Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their successors and assigns; provided that no Guarantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement (except pursuant to a merger, consolidation or similar transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

3.06       Set-Off. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent and each Lender at any time and from time to time while an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, without notice to such Guarantor or any other Guarantor, any such notice being expressly waived by each Guarantor, to set-off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by the Administrative Agent or such Lender to or for the credit or the account of such Guarantor, or any part thereof in such amounts as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may elect, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent or such Lender hereunder and claims of every nature and description of the Administrative Agent or such Lender against such Guarantor, in any currency, whether arising hereunder, under the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise, as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may elect, whether or not the Administrative Agent or any Lender has made any demand for payment and although such obligations, liabilities and claims may be contingent or unmatured. The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall notify such Guarantor promptly of any such set-off and the application made by the Administrative Agent or such Lender of the proceeds thereof, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of the Administrative Agent and each Lender under this Section 3.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) which the Administrative Agent or such Lender may have.

 

3.07       Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including in “.pdf” form), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

 

 

3.08       Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

3.09       Section Headings. The Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

 

3.10       Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the agreement of the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.

 

3.11       GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

3.12       Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)       submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(b)       agrees that a final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court may be enforced in any other court to whose jurisdiction the applicable party is or may be subject, by suit upon judgment;

 

(c)       consents that any such action or proceeding may only be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(d)       agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Guarantor at its address referred to in Section 3.02 hereof or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

 

(e)       agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; and

 

(f)       waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages; provided that the waiver set forth in this clause (f)

 

 

 

shall not affect any obligation of the Borrower or any Guarantor under Section 3.04 of this Agreement.

 

3.13       Acknowledgements. Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a)       it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;

 

(b)       neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be deemed to be in an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship with any Guarantor or any of their Affiliates or have a fiduciary or other implied duty to any Guarantor or any of their Affiliates arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and the relationship between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

 

(c)       no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Guarantors and the Lenders.

 

3.14       Additional Guarantors. Each Subsidiary of the Borrower that executes and delivers an Assumption Agreement in the form of Annex 1 hereto shall become a Guarantor for all purposes of this Agreement, subject in all respects to the provisions of Section 6.08 and 6.10 of the Credit Agreement, which govern the release of Guarantors from this Agreement. If any Person shall be released as a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.08 or 6.10 of the Credit Agreement (as applicable), such Person shall immediately and automatically, without need for further action, cease to be a Guarantor hereunder and shall be, and shall be deemed to be, released from all obligations under and in respect of this Agreement. In connection with the release of any Person as a Guarantor, the Administrative Agent agrees, and the Lenders authorize the Administrative Agent, to execute and deliver documents reasonably requested to evidence such release.

 

3.15       WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Guarantee Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
 
By:  
  Name:
  Title:

 

NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC
 
By:  
  Name:
  Title:
 
[Signature Page – Guarantee Agreement – Bridge Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

Accepted and agreed as of the date first written above:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

 
By:  
  Name:
  Title:

 
[Signature Page – Guarantee Agreement – Bridge Loan Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

Schedule 1

 

NOTICE ADDRESSES OF GUARANTORS

 

c/o Comcast Corporation
One Comcast Center
Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Attention: General Counsel
Telephone: (215) 286-7564
Facsimile: (215) 286-7794
E-mail: corporate_legal@comcast.com

 

 

 

Annex 1 to
Guarantee Agreement

 

ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of ________________, 201_, made by ______________________________ (the “Additional Guarantor”), in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the banks and other financial institutions or entities (the “Lenders”) parties to the Credit Agreement referred to below. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in such Credit Agreement.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, COMCAST CORPORATION (the “Borrower”), the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are parties to that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the Borrower and certain of its Affiliates (other than the Additional Guarantor) have entered into the Guarantee Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guarantee Agreement”) in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders; and

 

WHEREAS, the Additional Guarantor has agreed to execute and deliver this Assumption Agreement in order to become a party to the Guarantee Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

 

1.       Guarantee Agreement. By executing and delivering this Assumption Agreement, the Additional Guarantor, as provided in Section 3.14 of the Guarantee Agreement, hereby becomes a party to the Guarantee Agreement as a Guarantor thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all obligations and liabilities of a Guarantor thereunder. The information set forth in Annex 1-A hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in Schedule 1 to the Guarantee Agreement.

 

2.       Governing Law. THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Assumption Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

[ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR]
 
By:  
  Name:
  Title:

 

 


 

 

Annex 1-A to
Assumption Agreement

 

Supplement to Schedule 1

 

NOTICE ADDRESS[ES] OF ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR[S]

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF]

 

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF CREDIT

 

Date: ______________, 20__

 

To: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents party thereto.

 

The undersigned Responsible Officer hereby requests (select one):

 

[__] A Borrowing of Loans
[__] A Continuation of Loans
 

1.       On ___________________________ (a Business Day).

 

2.       Denominated in Sterling:

 

In the amount of £ ___________________________.

 

Comprised of Eurodollar Rate Loans.

 

3.    With an Interest Period of ___ months1 (or ___ days, if for an Interest Period of less than one month).

 

The foregoing request complies with the requirements of Section 2 of the Credit Agreement. If the requested Extension of Credit is a Borrowing of Loans, the undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements will be true on the date of the requested Extension of Credit:

 

(a)       No Major Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the proposed Extension of Credit to be made on such date.

 

 

 

1 One, two, three, six, or if agreed to by each Lender, twelve months.

 

2 

 

COMCAST CORPORATION

 

By:  
Name:  
Title:  
 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

[FORM OF]

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

Certificate Date: _____________, 20__

 

Financial Statement Date: _____________, 20__

 

To: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents party thereto.

 

The undersigned Responsible Officer hereby certifies as of the date hereof that he or she is the _____________ of Borrower, and that, as such, he or she is authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate to Administrative Agent on behalf of Borrower, and that:

 

[Use following for fiscal year-end financial statements]

 

1.       Attached hereto as Annex 1 are the year-end audited financial statements of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries required by Section 6.01(a) of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal year of Borrower ended as of the above date, together with the report and opinion of independent certified public accountants required by such section.

 

[Use following for fiscal quarter-end financial statements]

 

1.       Attached hereto as Annex 1 are the unaudited financial statements of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries required by Section 6.01(b) of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal quarter of Borrower ended as of the above date. Such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP as at such date and for such periods, subject only to pro forma adjustments and normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

2.       The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Credit Agreement and has made, or has caused to be made under his supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and conditions (financial or otherwise) of Borrower during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements.

 

3.       A review of the activities of Borrower during such fiscal period has been made under my supervision with a view to determining whether during such fiscal period Borrower performed and observed its Obligations under the Loan Documents, and

 

 

 

[select one:]

 

[to the best knowledge of the undersigned during such fiscal period, Borrower performed and observed each covenant and condition of the Loan Documents applicable to it.]

 

—or—

 

[the following covenants or conditions have not been performed or observed and the following is a list of each such Default or Event of Default and its nature and status:]

 

4.       The financial covenant analyses and information set forth on Annex 2 attached hereto are true and accurate. Such analyses and information set forth the necessary adjustments to exclude the Indebtedness and EBITDA attributed to Unrestricted Subsidiaries and give pro forma effect (in accordance with Section 1.07 of the Credit Agreement) to Material Acquisitions and Material Dispositions made during the period covered thereby.

 

2 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate as of the date first above written.

 

COMCAST CORPORATION

 

By:  
Name:  
Title:  

 

 

3 

 

ANNEX 1 TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

 

[Attached]

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX 2 TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

 

FINANCIAL COVENANT ANALYSES AND INFORMATION

 

[Set forth detailed calculations]

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

[FORM OF]

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

This Assignment and Assumption (this “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into between the Assignor named below (the “Assignor”) and the Assignee named below (the “Assignee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by Administrative Agent below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit, guarantees, and swingline loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Assignment and Assumption, the Assignor acknowledges and agrees that in connection with any assignment of Commitments on or prior to the Certain Funds Termination Date by a Lender to any of its Affiliates, the Assignor shall not be relieved of its obligations (as in effect immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment) to fund Loans in respect of its Commitments pursuant to the Credit Agreement without the prior written consent of Borrower (in its sole discretion).

 

1. Assignor:  
       
2. Assignee:  
       
       
3. Borrower(s):  
       
4. Administrative Agent:

Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement 

     

 

 

5. Credit Agreement: The 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement dated as of April 25, 2018 among Comcast Corporation, the Lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents party thereto
       
6.  Assigned Interest:    
     
Facility Assigned2 Aggregate Amount of Commitment/Loans for all Lenders Amount of Commitment/Loans Assigned Percentage Assigned of Commitment/Loans3
  £ £ %
  £ £ %
  £ £ %

 

Effective Date: ______________, 20_--_ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

 

The Assignee agrees to deliver to Administrative Agent a completed administrative questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about Borrower, the Loan Parties and their Affiliates or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the Assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

 

 

 

 

2 Fill in either “Commitments” or “Loans”.

 

3 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders. 

 

 

 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

  ASSIGNOR
       
     
  NAME OF ASSIGNOR
       
       
  By:    
    Title:  
       
       
  ASSIGNEE
       
     
  NAME OF ASSIGNEE
       
       
  By:    
    Title:  

 

 

 

 

Consented to and Accepted:  
     
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,  
  as Administrative Agent  
     
     
By    
  Title:  
     
     
     
Consented to:4  
     
COMCAST CORPORATION,  
  as Borrower  
     
     
By    
  Title:  

 

 

 

 

4 Must be included for assignments on or prior to the Certain Funds Termination Date (other than assignments by a Lender to any of its affiliates) (see Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement). After the Certain Funds Termination Date, include if Borrower consent is required under the terms of Section 10.04(b) of the Credit Agreement. 

 

 

 

ANNEX 1 TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement dated as of April 25, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”), and the other agents party thereto.

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

1. Representations and Warranties.

 

1.1 Assignor. Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of Borrower, any of its respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by Borrower, any of its respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

1.2. Assignee. Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender (including that it be an Eligible Assignee and that it otherwise satisfy the requirements set forth in Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement), (iii) it is capable of extending credit in all Alternative Currencies provided for under the Credit Agreement, (iv) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 thereof, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on Administrative Agent or any other Lender and (vi) if it is a foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 10.20), duly completed and executed by the Assignee and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

 

 

2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by email or telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

[RESERVED]

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-1

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the other agents party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished Administrative Agent and Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform Borrower and Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished Borrower and Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
 
By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Date: ________ __, 20__

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-2

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the other agents party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
 
By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Date: ________ __, 20__

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-3

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the other agents party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E from each of such partner's/member's beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
 
By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Date: ________ __, 20__

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-4

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the other agents party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished Administrative Agent and Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E from each of such partner's/member's beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform Borrower and Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished Borrower and Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
 
By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Date: ________ __, 20__

 

 

 

EXHIBIT G

 

FORM OF

 

TARGET ACQUISITION CERTIFICATE

 

[ ], 2018

 

Reference is made to that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”); the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined) dated as of April 25, 2018, among Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

I, [NAME], Responsible Officer of Borrower, do hereby certify, in my capacity as a Responsible Officer and not in my individual capacity and without personal liability, that all conditions to the consummation of the Target Acquisition have been satisfied, treated as satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 7.07(a) of the Credit Agreement (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any condition to any Offer or Scheme requiring that the Target Acquisition has been completed).

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this certificate on the date first above written.

 

By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 
[Signature Page to Target Acquisition Certificate]

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

Comcast Corporation

One Comcast Center

Philadelphia, PA 19103

www.comcastcorporation.com

 

COMCAST CORPORATION ANNOUNCES A FIRM SUPERIOR CASH OFFER FOR SKY PLC

 

Intends to Make Commitments Regarding Sky plc (“Sky”) and Investment in the UK

 

LONDON and PHILADELPHIA, PA – April 25, 2018 – Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) (“Comcast”) today published a Rule 2.7 announcement under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “UK Announcement”) announcing its pre-conditional superior cash offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Sky (the “Acquisition”). Sky is a leading entertainment and communications company in Europe, headquartered in the UK.  

 

Commenting on the Acquisition, Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation, said:

 

“We are delighted to be formalizing our offer for Sky today. We have long believed Sky is an outstanding company and a great fit with Comcast. Sky has a strong business, excellent customer loyalty, and a valued brand. It is led by a terrific management team who we look forward to working with to build and grow this business.

 

With its 23 million retail customers, leading positions in the UK, Italy, and Germany, and its history of strong financial performance, we see significant opportunities for growth by combining our businesses. Sky is a highly complementary business and will expand Comcast’s international footprint in the UK and Continental Europe. Sky will be our platform for growth across Europe. The combined customer base of approximately 52 million will allow us to invest more in original and acquired programming and more in innovation as we strive to deliver a truly differentiated customer experience. We look forward to receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.”

 

In the UK Announcement, Comcast announced that it intends to make the following commitments regarding Sky and investment in the UK:

 

·Maintain annual expenditure in Sky News for ten years, at a level not less than incurred in Sky’s 2017 financial year;

 

·Establish an editorial Sky News board with the responsibility to ensure the editorial independence of Sky News for ten years;

 

·Maintain Sky’s UK headquarters in Osterley for five years; and

 

·Not acquire any majority interest in UK newspapers for five years.

 

Additionally, Comcast reaffirmed the following statements of intention given in its Rule 2.4 announcement on February 27, 2018:

 

·Continue to support the creative industries in the UK and increase investment in UK film and TV production;

 

·Support innovation in the UK by continuing to support Sky’s technology hub in Leeds;

 

·Continue to support young people in the UK by maintaining Sky’s Software Engineering Academy scheme; and,

 

·Continue to support Sky’s local community sports programs in the UK.

 

Comcast believes that, combined, Comcast and Sky will create a business equipped to compete more effectively in a rapidly changing and highly competitive industry. Together, the companies would be

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

well positioned to drive growth to provide attractive returns to Comcast shareholders and to benefit the employees and customers of both organizations.

 

-more-

 

Under the terms of the Acquisition, Sky shareholders will be entitled to receive £12.50 in cash for each Sky share. In addition, Sky shareholders shall be entitled to receive any final dividend in respect of Sky’s financial year ended June 30, 2018, up to an amount of 21.8 pence per Sky share, which is declared and paid prior to the Effective Date (as defined in the UK Announcement).

 

Comcast’s superior cash offer represents a 16 percent premium to the existing Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. offer, and implies a value of $31 billion (£22 billion) for the fully diluted share capital of Sky.

 

The acquisition will enhance Comcast’s free cash flow per share in the first year, excluding one-time transaction-related expenses and, within a reasonable period of time, Comcast expects that the return on invested capital of the acquisition will exceed the weighted average cost of capital.

 

To provide financing in connection with the Acquisition, Comcast entered into an unsecured bridge credit agreement in an aggregate principal amount of up to £16 billion and an unsecured term loan credit agreement in an aggregate principal amount of up to £7 billion ($22 billion and $10 billion, respectively) (the “Credit Agreements”).

 

The Acquisition is subject to a number of pre-conditions and conditions as set forth in the UK Announcement, including receipt of antitrust and regulatory approvals and securing valid acceptances carrying in aggregate more than 50 percent of the voting rights then normally exercisable at a general meeting of Sky.

 

This announcement should be read in conjunction with the full UK Announcement, which includes additional information about the terms of the Acquisition and the Credit Agreements. This announcement and the UK Announcement will be available (subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in restricted jurisdictions) on Comcast’s website at https://www.cmcsa.com/proposal-for-sky. The content of this website is not incorporated into, and does not form part of, this announcement.

 

About Comcast Corporation

 

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal.  Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand, and also provides these services to businesses.  It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the XFINITY brand. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.   

 

Investor and Press Contacts:

 

Comcast Corporation

 

D’Arcy Rudnay (Media) Tel +1 (215) 286-8582
John Demming (Media) Tel +1 (215) 286-8011
Jason Armstrong (Investors) Tel +1 (215) 286-7972
   
Tulchan Communications  
Andrew Grant / Tom Murray Tel +44 (0) 207 353 4200

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

 

Further information

 

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer or invitation, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Sky in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The Acquisition (if implemented pursuant to a takeover offer within the meaning of Part 28 of the Companies Act 2006) will be implemented solely pursuant to the terms of the offer document and the accompanying form of acceptance, which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how to accept the offer. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the offer document and the form of acceptance. Sky shareholders are advised to read the formal documentation in relation to the Acquisition carefully once it has been dispatched.

 

This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent document.

 

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

 

This announcement contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Comcast contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Comcast about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement include statements relating to the expected effects or synergies of the Acquisition on Comcast and Sky, the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “is subject to”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Although Comcast believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Comcast can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to the information regarding these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors set forth in the public filings made by Sky and the public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission made by Comcast, important risk factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, (i) the completion of the Acquisition on anticipated terms and timing, (ii) the ability of Sky and Comcast to integrate the businesses successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies or benefits, (iii) the risk that disruptions from the Acquisition will harm Sky’s or Comcast’s businesses, (iv) legislative, regulatory and economic developments and (v) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism or

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

outbreak of war or hostilities. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors.

 

Neither Comcast nor any of its associates or directors, officers or advisors, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations, Comcast is under no obligation, and Comcast expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

No profit forecast or estimates

 

No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast or profit estimate for any period. No statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that cash flow from operations, free cash flow, earnings or earnings per share for Comcast or Sky, as appropriate, for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published cash flow from operations, free cash flow, earnings or earnings per share for Comcast or Sky, as appropriate.

 

Overseas jurisdictions

 

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom to accept the offer, or to execute and deliver the form of acceptance, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. Sky shareholders who are in any doubt regarding such matters should consult an appropriate independent advisor in the relevant jurisdiction without delay. Any failure to comply with such restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law and the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “City Code”) and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside of England.

 

Unless otherwise determined by Comcast or required by the City Code, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the offer will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a restricted jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of that jurisdiction and no person may accept the offer by any use, means, instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of any restricted jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction and the offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any restricted jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in or into or from any restricted jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Further details in relation to Sky shareholders in overseas jurisdictions will be contained in the offer document.

 

Important information for U.S. shareholders and Sky ADR holders

 

Sky is a public limited company incorporated in England. The offer will be made to Sky shareholders in the United States in compliance with the applicable U.S. tender offer rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “U.S. Exchange Act”), including Regulation 14E thereunder, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of English law. Accordingly, the offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, the offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer law and practice. Sky’s financial information, including any included in the offer documentation, will not have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, or derived therefrom, and may therefore differ from, and not be comparable with, financial information of U.S. companies.

 

Comcast and its affiliates or brokers (acting as agents for Comcast or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time, and other than pursuant to the offer, directly or indirectly, purchase, or arrange to purchase outside the United States, shares in Sky or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such shares before or during the period in which the offer remains open for acceptance, to the extent permitted by, and in compliance with, exemptive relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act and in compliance with the City Code. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Information about any such purchases or arrangements to purchase that is made public in accordance with English law and practice will be available to all investors (including in the United States) via the Regulatory News Service on www.londonstockexchange.com.

 

The offer, if consummated, may have consequences under U.S. federal income tax and applicable U.S. state and local, as well as non-U.S., tax laws for Sky shareholders and Sky ADR holders. Each Sky shareholder (including the U.S. shareholders, and Sky ADR holders) is urged to consult his or her independent professional advisor regarding the tax consequences of the offer.

 

It may not be possible for Sky shareholders or Sky ADR holders in the United States to effect service of process within the United States upon Sky (a company incorporated in England), or its officers or directors, some or all of which may reside outside the United States, or to enforce against any of them judgments of the United States courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or other U.S. law. It may not be possible to bring an action against Sky, or its officers or directors, in a non-U.S. court for violations of U.S. law, including the U.S. securities laws. There is also substantial doubt as to enforceability in the United Kingdom in original actions, or in actions for the enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, based on civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws.

 

Disclosure requirements of the City Code

 

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the City Code, any person who is interested in one percent or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to midnight on the day before the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

 

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the City Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in one percent or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.

 

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

 

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

 

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. If you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure, you should contact the Takeover Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0) 20 7638 0129.

 

For the purposes of this section of this announcement, “business day” means a day on which the London Stock Exchange is open for the transaction of business. 

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

25 April 2018

 

SUPERIOR CASH OFFER

 

FOR

 

SKY PLC (“SKY”)

 

BY

 

COMCAST CORPORATION (“COMCAST”)

 

Key Terms

 

·Further to the announcement by Comcast on 27 February 2018 setting out the key financial terms of a possible offer for Sky, Comcast is pleased to announce the terms of a pre-conditional cash offer by Comcast for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Sky.

 

·Under the terms of the Acquisition, Sky Shareholders will be entitled to receive:

 

£12.50 in cash for each Sky Share

 

·The price of £12.50 per Sky Share represents:

 

·a premium of approximately 16 per cent. to the 21CF Offer of £10.75 for each Sky Share; and

 

·a premium of approximately 13 per cent. to the Closing Price of £11.05 per Sky Share on 26 February 2018, being the last Business Day before the announcement of Comcast’s possible offer for Sky.

 

·The Cash Consideration implies a value of approximately £22.0 billion for the fully diluted share capital of Sky.

 

·In addition, Sky Shareholders shall be entitled to receive any final dividend in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2018, up to an amount of 21.8p per Sky Share, which is declared and paid prior to the Effective Date.

 

·Comcast has committed financing available to satisfy the full Cash Consideration payable to Sky Shareholders under the terms of the Acquisition.

 

·The combination with Sky is expected to be accretive to Comcast’s free cash flow per share in year one, excluding one-time transaction related expenses. Additionally, Comcast believes that the return on invested capital of the Acquisition will exceed the weighted average cost of capital within a reasonable period of time.

 

·Comcast expects the Acquisition to generate annual run-rate synergies of around $500 million, through a combination of revenue benefits and recurring cost savings across the

 

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Enlarged Group. These will be achieved through optimising Comcast’s and Sky’s complementary operations, with only limited impact on headcount expected.

 

·Comcast currently anticipates that the Acquisition will complete before the end of 2018.

 

Commitments regarding Sky and investment in the UK

 

·Comcast is announcing its intention to enter into a number of voluntary legally binding commitments regarding Sky and investment in the UK, and is reaffirming the statements of intention given in its announcement on 27 February 2018.

 

·In particular, Comcast recognises the important role that Sky News plays in the media landscape in the UK and understands that the future success of Sky News will depend on continued investment. Comcast intends to establish the Sky News Board and intends to commit that for a period of 10 years, the annual expenditure in Sky News will be at least an amount equal to the level of expenditure incurred for the 2016/17 financial year. These commitments are intended to be given by way of binding post-offer undertakings (for the purpose of Rule 19.5 of the City Code) for the periods of time specified in their respective undertakings (with approximately five years being the maximum period permitted by the Panel for such undertakings) and binding undertakings enforceable by the Sky News Board (by way of deed poll) for the subsequent five years.

 

·For this 10 year period, Comcast is also intending to give binding undertakings enforceable by the Sky News Board (by way of deed poll) to maintain safeguards to protect Sky News’ editorial independence.

 

·Comcast is also committed to protecting media plurality in the UK and is intending to give a binding post-offer undertaking not to acquire any majority interest in any newspapers in the UK for five years.

 

·Comcast is committed to the Osterley campus as Sky’s UK headquarters, in support of Sky’s continued position as a leader in content creation, arts and culture based in the UK. Comcast is intending to give a binding post-offer undertaking to maintain Sky’s headquarters at the Osterley campus in the UK for five years.

 

·Comcast is also reaffirming its statements of intention given in its announcement on 27 February 2018 to maintain a strong presence in the UK for the combined business, including continued support for the creative industries in the UK, increased investment in UK film and TV production, continued investment in technology innovation in the UK and the continuation of Sky’s programmes to support young people and communities in the UK.

 

Engagement with Sky Independent Committee

 

·Comcast has engaged with the Sky Independent Committee in respect of the Acquisition, and has discussed its intention to give the post-offer undertakings and commitments in relation to Sky’s existing business with the Sky Independent Committee.

 

·The Sky Independent Committee has confirmed to Comcast that it welcomes Comcast’s intention to give these post-offer undertakings and commitments and believes these voluntary commitments should comprehensively address any potential public interest concerns. Sky intends to give equivalent post-offer undertakings which would be effective conditional upon the occurrence of the Effective Date.

 

·The Sky Independent Committee has confirmed to Comcast that the Sky Independent Committee is mindful of its fiduciary duties and has consistently sought to safeguard the interests of independent Sky Shareholders. In this regard, the Sky Independent Committee

 

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has informed Comcast that, when it entered into the 21CF Co-operation Agreement on 15 December 2016, it secured certain protections from 21st Century Fox for the benefit of independent Sky Shareholders which provide that, unless the Sky Independent Committee agrees otherwise: (i) the 21CF Offer cannot close without the approval of at least a majority of independent Sky Shareholders; and (ii) 21st Century Fox is bound by certain standstill provisions.

 

·Comcast continues to engage with the Sky Independent Committee with a view to obtaining a future recommendation of the Acquisition.

 

Commenting on the Acquisition, Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast said:

 

“We are delighted to be formalizing our offer for Sky today. We have long believed Sky is an outstanding company and a great fit with Comcast. Sky has a strong business, excellent customer loyalty, and a valued brand. It is led by a terrific management team who we look forward to working with to build and grow this business.

 

Comcast’s superior cash offer values each Sky share at £12.50 - a significant premium to the 21st Century Fox offer price. With its 23 million retail customers, leading positions in the UK, Italy, and Germany, and its history of strong financial performance, we see significant opportunities for growth by combining our businesses. Sky is a highly complementary business and will expand Comcast’s international footprint in the UK and Continental Europe. Sky will be our platform for growth across Europe. The combined customer base of approximately 52 million will allow us to invest more in original and acquired programming and innovation as we strive to deliver a truly differentiated customer experience.

 

We already have a strong presence in the UK, having invested over $1 billion in film and TV productions in the UK over the past 3 years, and believe that it is, and will remain a great place to do business. We also understand the role that Sky plays in UK society and in its customers’ lives and we are determined to be responsible and trusted owners of Sky. We understand and appreciate the value of news and are committed to protecting the important role that Sky News plays in providing a high-quality impartial news service.

 

Evidencing this we are intending to voluntarily make a series of important binding commitments which will underpin our future investment in Sky and the UK. These include commitments to maintain long term investment in Sky News, preserve Sky News’ editorial independence and maintain Osterley as Sky’s UK Headquarters. We are also intending to make a further commitment not to acquire any majority interest in any newspapers in the UK for five years, to help ensure media plurality is sustained.

 

Furthermore, we intend to support the creative industries in the UK; increase investment in UK film and TV production; support Sky’s technology hub in Leeds and its Software Engineering Academy Scheme; and continue to provide opportunities for young people through Sky’s local community programmes.

 

In summary we will invest to grow and enhance Sky’s business and be a strong steward of its valuable brand. Sky is a great British business - with us, that’s the way it will always be.

 

We believe that the combination of Comcast and Sky will strengthen our ability to compete in today’s dynamic and increasingly global entertainment environment, generate attractive financial returns to Comcast shareholders and provide benefits to the customers and employees of both organisations. The acquisition will enhance our free cash flow per share in the first year, excluding one-time transaction related expenses, and we believe that within a reasonable period of time the return on invested capital of the acquisition will exceed the weighted average cost of capital. We are confident that we will be able to receive the necessary regulatory approvals.

 

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We very much hope that the independent committee of Sky directors will recommend our superior cash offer in due course, and look forward to securing regulatory clearances and progressing our offer.”

 

It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by means of a takeover offer under the City Code and within the meaning of Part 28 of the Companies Act, further details of which are contained in the full text of this Announcement.

 

The Acquisition will be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the Pre-Conditions set out in Appendix I, the Conditions and certain further terms set out in Appendix II and the full terms and conditions which will be set out in the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance. The Pre-Conditions relate to the receipt of competition clearance in the EU, and, if either a European intervention notice or an intervention notice has been issued under Sections 67 or 42 of the Enterprise Act 2002 respectively, approval of the Secretary of State, and the Conditions include, among other things, Comcast securing valid acceptances of the Offer which, taken together with all other Sky Shares which Comcast (and/or its nominee(s)) has acquired or agreed to acquire (whether pursuant to the Offer or otherwise), carry in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights then normally exercisable at a general meeting of Sky.

 

The Offer Document and Form of Acceptance will include full details of the Acquisition and the expected timetable, and will specify the actions to be taken by Sky Shareholders in connection with the Acquisition. It is expected that the Offer Document will be dispatched to Sky Shareholders no later than 28 days after the date on which the last of the Pre-Conditions to be satisfied (or waived) is so satisfied (or waived), unless extended by Comcast with the consent of the Panel.

 

This summary should be read in conjunction with, and is subject to, the full text of this Announcement (including the Appendices). The Acquisition will be subject to the Pre-Conditions set out in Appendix I, the Conditions and certain further terms set out in Appendix II and to the full terms and conditions which will be set out in the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance. Appendix III contains the terms of Comcast’s proposals for the Sky Share Plans. Appendix IV contains the sources of information and bases of calculation of certain information contained in this Announcement and Appendix V contains definitions of certain terms used in this Announcement.

 

Your attention is drawn to the important information at the back of this Announcement.

 

Enquiries

 

Comcast Corporation  
D’Arcy Rudnay (Media) Tel: +1 215 286 8582
Jason Armstrong (Investors) Tel: +1 215 286 7972
   
Robey Warshaw  
Simon Robey / Simon Warshaw Tel: +44 20 7317 3900
   
Evercore  
Roger Altman / Eduardo Mestre Tel: +1 212 857 3100
   
BofA Merrill Lynch  
Adrian Mee / Tim Waddell (Corporate Broking) Tel: +44 20 7628 1000
   
Wells Fargo  
Stephen Locke Tel: +1 704 410 4766
   
Tulchan Communications  
Andrew Grant / Tom Murray Tel: +44 20 7353 4200

 

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Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP are retained as legal advisers to Comcast.

 

Important notices relating to financial advisers

 

Robey Warshaw LLP (“Robey Warshaw”), which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively as financial adviser to Comcast and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this Announcement, and Robey Warshaw will not be responsible to anyone other than Comcast for providing the protections afforded to clients of Robey Warshaw or for providing advice in relation to the matters referred to in this Announcement, the contents of this Announcement or any other matter referred to herein.

 

Evercore Partners International LLP (“Evercore”), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting as financial adviser exclusively for Comcast and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this Announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters referred to in this Announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Comcast for providing the protections afforded to clients of Evercore, nor for providing advice in relation to the matters referred to in this Announcement.

 

Merrill Lynch International (“BofA Merrill Lynch”), a subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the FCA and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively as financial adviser for Comcast and will not be responsible to anyone other than Comcast for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in this Announcement.

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, which is authorised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the SEC in the United States, is acting exclusively as co-financial adviser for Comcast and will not be responsible to anyone other than Comcast for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in this Announcement.

 

Further information

 

This Announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer or invitation, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Sky in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The Acquisition (if implemented pursuant to an Offer) will be implemented solely pursuant to the terms of the Offer Document and the accompanying Form of Acceptance, which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how to accept the Offer. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance. Sky Shareholders are advised to read the formal documentation in relation to the Acquisition carefully once it has been dispatched. Each Sky Shareholder is urged to consult his or her independent professional adviser regarding the tax consequences of the Acquisition.

 

This Announcement does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent document.

 

Information relating to Sky Shareholders

 

Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other information provided by Sky Shareholders, persons with information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of

 

5

 

communications from Sky may be provided to Comcast during the Offer Period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the City Code.

 

Important information for U.S. shareholders and Sky ADR Holders

 

Sky is a public limited company incorporated in England. The Offer will be made to Sky Shareholders in the United States in compliance with the applicable U.S. tender offer rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “U.S. Exchange Act”), including Regulation 14E thereunder taking into account no action relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of English law. Accordingly, the Offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, the offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer law and practice. Sky’s financial information, including any included in the offer documentation, will not have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, or derived therefrom, and may therefore differ from, and not be comparable with, financial information of U.S. companies.

 

Comcast and its affiliates or brokers (acting as agents for Comcast or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase, or arrange to purchase outside the United States, shares in Sky or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such shares before or during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance, to the extent permitted by, and in compliance with, exemptive relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act and in compliance with the City Code. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Information about any such purchases or arrangements to purchase that is made public in accordance with English law and practice will be available to all investors (including in the United States) via the Regulatory News Service on www.londonstockexchange.com.

 

The Offer, if consummated, may have consequences under U.S. federal income tax and applicable U.S. state and local, as well as non-U.S., tax laws for Sky Shareholders and Sky ADR Holders. Each Sky Shareholder and Sky ADR Holder is urged to consult his or her independent professional adviser regarding the tax consequences of the Offer.

 

It may not be possible for Sky Shareholders or Sky ADR Holders in the United States to effect service of process within the United States upon Sky (a company incorporated in England), or its officers or directors, some or all of which may reside outside the United States, or to enforce against any of them judgments of the United States courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or other U.S. law. It may not be possible to bring an action against Sky, or its officers or directors, in a non-U.S. court for violations of U.S. law, including the U.S. securities laws. There is also substantial doubt as to enforceability in the United Kingdom in original actions, or in actions for the enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, based on civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws.

 

Overseas jurisdictions

 

The release, publication or distribution of this Announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom to accept the Offer, or to execute and deliver the Form of Acceptance, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. Sky Shareholders who are in any doubt regarding such matters should consult an appropriate independent adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay. Any failure to comply with such restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

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This Announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law and the City Code and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this Announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside of England.

 

Unless otherwise determined by Comcast or required by the City Code, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Offer will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of that jurisdiction and no person may accept the Offer by any use, means, instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction and the Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities. Accordingly, copies of this Announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction.

 

Further details in relation to Sky Shareholders in overseas jurisdictions will be contained in the Offer Document.

 

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

 

This Announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this Announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Comcast contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Comcast about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this Announcement include statements relating to the expected effects or synergies of the Acquisition on Comcast and Sky, the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “is subject to”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Although Comcast believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Comcast can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to the information regarding these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors set forth in the public filings made by Sky and the public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission made by Comcast, important risk factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, (i) the completion of the Acquisition on anticipated terms and timing, (ii) the ability of Sky and Comcast to integrate the businesses successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies or benefits, (iii) the risk that disruptions from the Acquisition will harm Sky’s or Comcast’s businesses, (iv) legislative, regulatory and economic developments and (v) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles

 

7

 

to the realisation of forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors.

 

Neither Comcast nor any of its associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this Announcement will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations, Comcast is under no obligation, and Comcast expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

No profit forecast or estimates

 

No statement in this Announcement is intended as a profit forecast or profit estimate for any period. No statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that cash flow from operations, free cash flow, earnings or earnings per share for Comcast or Sky, as appropriate, for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published cash flow from operations, free cash flow, earnings or earnings per share for Comcast or Sky, as appropriate.

 

Dealing and Opening Position Disclosure Requirements of the City Code

 

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the City Code, any person who is interested in one per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the Offer Period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified.

 

An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the Offer Period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to midnight on the day before the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a dealing disclosure.

 

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the City Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in one per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a dealing disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A dealing disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A dealing disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.

 

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

 

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and dealing disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

 

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Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and dealing disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the Offer Period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. If you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a dealing disclosure, you should contact the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0) 20 7638 0129.

 

For the purposes of this section (Disclosure requirements of the City Code) and the following section (Publication on Website) of this Announcement, “business day” means a day on which the London Stock Exchange is open for the transaction of business.

 

Publication on Website

 

This Announcement and the documents required to be published pursuant to Rule 26 of the City Code will be available free of charge, subject to certain restrictions in relation to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Comcast’s website at www.cmcsa.com/proposal-for-sky by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the business day following this Announcement. Neither the content of any website referred to in this Announcement nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks is incorporated into, or forms part of, this Announcement.

 

Sky Shareholders may request a hard copy of this Announcement by contacting Equiniti Limited on 0371 384 2091. Sky Shareholders may also request that all future documents, announcements and information to be sent to them in relation to the Acquisition should be in hard copy form. A hard copy of such documents, announcements (including this Announcement) and information will not be sent unless so requested.

 

Rounding

 

Certain figures included in this Announcement have been subjected to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for the same category presented in different tables may vary slightly and figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.

 

Time

 

All times shown in this Announcement are London times, unless otherwise stated.

 

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NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

25 April 2018

 

SUPERIOR CASH OFFER

 

FOR

 

SKY PLC (“SKY”)

 

BY

 

COMCAST CORPORATION (“COMCAST”)

 

1.Introduction

 

Further to the announcement by Comcast on 27 February 2018 setting out the key financial terms of a possible offer for Sky, Comcast is pleased to announce the terms of a pre-conditional cash offer by Comcast for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Sky.

 

It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by means of a takeover offer within the meaning of Part 28 of the Companies Act.

 

2.The Acquisition

 

Under the terms of the Acquisition, which will be subject to satisfaction (or waiver) of the PreConditions set out in Appendix I, the Conditions and certain further terms set out in Appendix II and to the full terms and conditions which will be set out in the Offer Document and accompanying Form of Acceptance, Sky Shareholders will be entitled to receive:

 

£12.50 in cash for each Sky Share

 

The price of £12.50 per Sky Share represents:

 

·a premium of approximately 16 per cent. to the 21CF Offer of £10.75 for each Sky Share; and

 

·a premium of approximately 13 per cent. to the Closing Price of £11.05 per Sky Share on 26 February 2018, being the last Business Day before the announcement of Comcast’s possible offer for Sky.

 

The Cash Consideration implies a value of approximately £22.0 billion for the fully diluted share capital of Sky.

 

In addition, Sky Shareholders shall be entitled to receive any final dividend in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2018, up to an amount of 21.8p per Sky Share, which is declared and paid prior to the Effective Date (the “Final Dividend”). Comcast reserves the right to reduce the price of £12.50 per Sky Share by: (i) some or all of any amount of any Final Dividend which is in excess of 21.8p; and (ii) some or all of the amount of any other dividend (or other distribution or return of capital) which is announced, declared,

 

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paid or becomes payable by Sky to Sky Shareholders on or after the date of this Announcement and prior to the date on which Comcast is entered into the register of members of Sky following the Effective Date.

 

The Sky Shares will be acquired pursuant to the Acquisition fully paid and free from all liens, equities, charges, encumbrances, options, rights of pre-emption and any other third party rights and interests of any nature and together with all rights now or hereafter attaching or accruing thereto including voting rights and the right to receive and retain in full all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid on or after the Effective Date.

 

The Offer will extend to any Sky Shares which are issued or unconditionally allotted (including to satisfy the exercise of options granted under the Sky Share Plans) whilst the Offer remains open for acceptance (or prior to such earlier time and/or date as Comcast may, subject to the City Code, determine).

 

Comcast currently anticipates that the Acquisition will complete before the end of 2018.

 

3.Engagement with Sky Independent Committee

 

Comcast has engaged with the Sky Independent Committee in respect of the Acquisition. Comcast is pleased with the positive nature of the discussions to date and in particular the discussion of the post-offer undertakings and other commitments Comcast is voluntarily intending to give in relation to Sky’s existing business, including Sky News (further details of which are set out in paragraph 5 below). The Sky Independent Committee has informed Comcast that they believe that these post-offer undertakings and commitments should comprehensively address any potential public interest concerns. The Sky Independent Committee intends that Sky will give equivalent post-offer undertakings, which would be effective conditional upon completion of the Acquisition.

 

The Sky Independent Committee has confirmed to Comcast that the Sky Independent Committee is mindful of its fiduciary duties and has consistently sought to safeguard the interests of independent Sky Shareholders. In this regard, the Sky Independent Committee has informed Comcast that, when it entered into the 21CF Co-operation Agreement on 15 December 2016, it secured certain protections from 21st Century Fox for the benefit of independent Sky Shareholders which provide that, unless the Sky Independent Committee agrees otherwise: (i) the 21CF Offer cannot close without the approval of at least a majority of independent Sky Shareholders; and (ii) 21st Century Fox is bound by certain standstill provisions.

 

The Sky Independent Committee has consented to the inclusion of the above paragraphs in this Announcement. Comcast continues to engage with the Sky Independent Committee with a view to obtaining a future recommendation of the Acquisition.

 

4.Background to and reasons for the Acquisition

 

A)Background to the Acquisition

 

Founded in 1963 as a small community antenna television operation, Comcast NBCUniversal is a leading global media and technology company with 2017 revenues of approximately $85 billion. Throughout its long history, Comcast’s success has been due in large part to its ability to innovate and compete successfully in industries distinguished by a rapid pace of change. In the 1970s, Comcast was one of hundreds of cable operators in the U.S. By driving growth through a combination of organic investment and strategic acquisitions, today, Comcast is one of the largest and most successful media and technology companies in the world.

 

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Core to the Comcast vision and its long-term success has been the willingness to embrace change and grow its business through bold investments. Comcast has a proud history of making substantial organic investments to drive product innovation and growth. Since acquiring NBCUniversal in 2011, Comcast has invested over $65 billion in the business. These investments have helped grow NBCUniversal’s portfolio, ranging from film and TV production to acquiring new sports rights to building out Universal Parks, including the award-winning Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions. Comcast has also invested in the development in the cable business of a high speed internet service that delivers gigabit per second speeds to residential customers in over 80 per cent. of our markets. Strategic acquisitions have also been core to the Comcast strategy of growth. In 2001/02, a point in time when scale was becoming increasingly important in the U.S. cable industry, Comcast more than doubled in size by acquiring AT&T Broadband in a landmark $72 billion acquisition. In December 2009, when some industry participants were separating content from distribution, Comcast recognised the potential opportunity inherent in the combination of cable distribution and world-class content. It therefore made the decision to acquire control of the NBCUniversal media business, with NBCUniversal’s Adjusted EBITDA’s growing from $3 billion to $8 billion since the date the acquisition was announced.

 

Sky’s integrated content, distribution and technology platform is a business Comcast knows well from its own cable and entertainment assets. Over recent years as the pace of change accelerated in the entertainment industry, Comcast has followed closely Sky’s impressive transition from an innovative start-up satellite TV provider to a leading European, multi-platform, premium-branded entertainment business that offers premier content to 23 million retail customers. Comcast believes that, in many ways, Comcast and Sky have been on parallel journeys. Today, both companies have business models that seek to create shareholder value through: (i) technological innovation; and (ii) the monetisation of premium content through wholesale distribution and direct-to-consumer sales. With dynamic entrepreneurial cultures at their respective cores, both companies have innovated and grown from their start-up roots into entertainment industry leaders.

 

Both companies also compete in a rapidly changing and highly competitive industry where: (i) consumers have more entertainment choices than ever; and (ii) an increasing number of players are investing in premium content and have a direct relationship with a large number of end customers. Comcast believes the acquisition of Sky will deliver meaningful benefits for the combined business and its customers.

 

B)Reasons for the Acquisition

 

Stronger content businesses

 

The acquisition of Sky will help support the ability of a combined Comcast/Sky to invest more in original and acquired programming and amortise the costs across a larger customer base through direct relationships with approximately 52 million customers.

 

Sky has a strong record of acquiring attractive content for distribution in Europe and has begun to invest more in original content. Comcast Cable spends almost $13 billion annually to acquire content for distribution in the United States, and through its portfolio of studios, including Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Dreamworks Animation, Illumination Entertainment and Carnival Films, Comcast is a major creator of original content, producing successful films like

 

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Darkest Hour, Jurassic World and Minions and popular television series like Downton Abbey. Sky offers popular sports such as the Premier League and Bundesliga, and Comcast offers, among others, the NFL and the Premier League. Sky News delivers high quality news with journalistic integrity, much like NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC.

 

The acquisition of Sky will enable Comcast to combine the complementary content production capacity and programming spend of the two companies to create a business equipped to compete more effectively in the rapidly changing and intensely competitive entertainment landscape.

 

Increased ability to innovate

 

Direct relationships with approximately 52 million customers will also give a combined Comcast/Sky the increased ability to invest in innovation to the benefit of consumers and to seek more attractive financial returns on those investments. Innovation is at the core of both companies’ cultures with products like Sky Q from Sky and the highly regarded X1 platform from Comcast. Both companies strive to deliver a differentiated product experience in areas that include video guides and voice control as well as wireless gateways and Wi-Fi technology. Comcast believes the ability to combine areas of common investment and deliver new products and features to a much larger customer base will drive accelerated innovation for consumers and attractive financial returns.

 

Benefits of increased European presence

 

The acquisition of Sky will significantly expand Comcast’s international footprint in the UK and Continental Europe in businesses that are highly complementary. Sky has leading positions in the UK, Germany and Italy and offers the opportunity to grow through digital direct-to-consumer offerings in other European countries. The acquisition of Sky would expand Comcast’s international footprint from 9 per cent. of global 2017 revenues to approximately 25 per cent. (on a pro forma basis) and give Comcast a platform to grow its businesses in new markets.

 

Attractive financial returns and consumer benefits

 

Comcast believes that combined, Comcast and Sky would be well positioned to drive growth to provide attractive returns to Comcast shareholders and to benefit the employees and customers of both organisations.

 

Comcast expects the Acquisition to generate annual run-rate synergies of around $500 million. Of these, Comcast expects to realise approximately $300 million in currently identified recurring pre-tax cost savings. Preliminary integration work carried out to date has confirmed that there is likely to be overlap between the two businesses with the potential to generate cost savings for the Enlarged Group through corporate and administrative efficiencies, however, it expects there to be only limited impact on headcount. In addition to the elimination of certain duplicative corporate costs, examples of other areas of potential savings include optimisation of NBCUniversal and Sky’s office locations and production efficiencies with respect to live coverage of sports and associated programing. Comcast believes it will need to incur approximately $225 million in cumulative one-time pre-tax costs to achieve these savings. The balance of around $200 million represents currently identified pre-tax recurring revenue benefits. These additional revenue benefits are expected to be achieved principally from better realisation of the value of Sky content by NBCUniversal’s sales platform, the availability of Sky’s platforms from which to derive even greater “Symphony”

 

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benefits from NBCUniversal content and increased advertising sales by building on NBCUniversal’s global advertising sales client base and expertise.

 

The combination with Sky is expected to be accretive to Comcast’s free cash flow per share in year one, excluding one-time transaction-related expenses. Additionally, Comcast believes that the return on invested capital of the Acquisition will exceed the weighted average cost of capital within a reasonable period of time.

 

5.Intention to enter into post-offer commitments in relation to Sky and the UK

 

Comcast is strongly committed to the UK and investing and growing the Sky business for the benefit of its customers, employees, and consumers.

 

To emphasise the value and importance Comcast attaches to Sky, and Sky News in particular, Comcast voluntarily intends to put in place a series of commitments that would guarantee the long-term future of Sky News and its ongoing editorial independence, as well as support the growth of Sky in the UK.

 

Firstly, Comcast intends to commit that the annual expenditure in Sky News for the next 10 years will be at least an amount equal to the level of Sky News expenditure for the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017. Comcast also intends to ensure that Sky News will operate as an impartial provider of news free from interference in its editorial decisions for that period. To do so, Comcast intends to commit to set up an editorial board of Sky News no later than three months after the Effective Date which will remain in place for 10 years following the Effective Date. Comcast also intends to commit not to acquire any majority interest in any UK newspaper for five years from the Effective Date.

 

Secondly, Comcast intends to commit to maintain the Sky Group UK headquarters in Osterley in support of Sky’s continued position as a leader in content creation, arts and culture based in the UK, during the period of five years from the Effective Date.

 

As set out in paragraphs A) and B) below, Comcast intends that these legally binding commitments will be entered into through two separate mechanisms:

 

·Post-Offer Undertakings (for the purposes of Rule 19.5 of the City Code) as defined below; and

 

·a deed poll in favour of the Sky News Board (and, if appropriate in due course, other regulatory bodies).

 

Sky also intends to give the same Post-Offer Undertakings given by Comcast, conditional upon the occurrence of the Effective Date.

 

In addition, Comcast intends to increase investment in UK content creation and continue to support technology innovation, local communities and young people in the UK, as set out in paragraph C) below.

 

A)Intention to enter into commitments with respect to Sky News, Sky’s UK Headquarters and UK Newspaper Ownership

 

Comcast included six specific statements of intent in its Rule 2.4 announcement released on 27 February 2018, demonstrating its commitment to growth in the UK. In particular, Comcast confirmed its intention to maintain Sky News’ strong track record for high-quality impartial news and adherence to broadcasting standards.

 

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In support of these statements, Comcast intends to commit to the following:

 

(a)a member of the Sky Group shall have ownership of, or the right to use, all assets and rights (including licences) necessary to carry on a Sky-branded news service and the annual expenditure on the Sky-branded news service will be at least an amount equal to the level of expenditure incurred during the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017, increased annually for inflation for a period of five years from 1 July 2018;

 

(b)maintain the Sky Group’s UK headquarters in Osterley for a period of five years from the Effective Date;

 

(c)not acquire any majority interest in any daily, Sunday or local UK newspaper for a period of five years from the Effective Date; and

 

(d)establish an editorial board (the “Sky News Board”), no later than three months after the Effective Date. This is to ensure that there is an appropriate beneficiary in place to monitor compliance with the terms of the Sky News Binding Commitment (defined in paragraph B) below).

 

Comcast intends (subject to the consent of the Panel) as soon as practicable, and in any event by no later than the date of the Offer Document, to make post-offer undertakings in respect of paragraphs (a) – (d) above in accordance with Rule 19.5 of the City Code in all material respects in the terms set out above (“Post-Offer Undertakings”). Sky also intends to give the same Post-Offer Undertakings given by Comcast, conditional upon the occurrence of the Effective Date. Comcast and Sky will need to comply with the terms of the Post-Offer Undertakings, for the periods of time specified in their respective undertakings (with approximately five years being the maximum period permitted by the Panel for such undertakings) and complete any courses of action committed to by the dates specified in their respective undertakings.

 

B)Intention to enter into commitments by way of deed poll to the Sky News Board and other appropriate regulatory bodies

 

Upon the Effective Date, Comcast intends to enter into (and to procure that upon the Effective Date Sky enters into) a legally binding deed poll (the “Sky News Binding Commitments”) in favour of the Sky News Board, which will:

 

(a)provide for the continued establishment of the Sky News Board for a period of 10 years following the Effective Date;

 

(b)provide the Sky News Board with oversight of the Sky News operations in relation to ensuring the editorial independence of Sky News for a period of 10 years following the Effective Date; and

 

(c)provide the same investment commitment to Sky News as is set out in paragraph A(a) above for a further period of five years following the expiry of the post-offer undertaking intended to be given under paragraph A(a) above.

 

The Sky News Binding Commitments will constitute legally binding commitments on Comcast and Sky which will be enforceable by the Sky News Board. They will not constitute “post-offer undertakings” for the purposes of Rule 19.5 of the City Code and would therefore not be enforceable by the Panel as post-offer undertakings.

 

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Comcast also confirms its willingness to provide for a relevant regulator to be a beneficiary of the Sky News Binding Commitments in the same way as the Sky News Board, if this is considered to be appropriate.

 

C)Intentions in relation to Sky’s role in supporting creative industries, innovation, young people and local communities in the UK

 

Comcast reaffirms the following specific statements of intent with regard to Sky’s business in the UK:

 

Supporting the creative industries in the UK

 

Comcast intends to continue to support Sky as a leader in content creation, arts, culture, and entertainment. Comcast intends to increase Sky’s investment in UK TV and film production. Comcast currently invests in UK TV and film production, including in Carnival Films, the makers of Downton Abbey and The Last Kingdom. Comcast is a global media and technology company, bringing entertainment and communications experiences to millions of people. Comcast has a proven track record of investing in the creative sector, including through Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation. As a producer, NBCUniversal has invested over $1 billion in film and TV productions in the UK over the past three years in a wide variety of content.

 

Supporting innovation in the UK

 

Comcast intends to continue to support Sky’s technology hub in Leeds and its Software Engineering Academy scheme. In the U.S., Comcast and NBCUniversal have been innovators in creating and delivering award-winning content and technologies to consumers. The combined company will create compelling opportunities for growth and innovation.

 

Supporting young people in the UK

 

Comcast intends to continue to maintain Sky’s Software Engineering Academy scheme, which offers technology apprenticeships and graduate opportunities to young people across the north of England. Comcast intends to continue investment in employees’ professional development across the UK. Comcast was founded as a start-up 55 years ago and that entrepreneurial spirit is still at the heart of everything we do. Comcast believes that to thrive as a company, we must invest in our people, giving them opportunities to flourish. Comcast provides many opportunities for employees to showcase their creativity and talents, including: programmes for all employees to share original ideas; opportunities for employees to partner, explore, and develop projects not core to their responsibilities; leadership and development programmes for employees of all levels; and internships and apprentice programmes for hundreds of young people annually.

 

Supporting communities in the UK

 

Comcast intends to continue to Sky’s local community programmes to inspire more people to get involved in sports. Comcast intends to support Sky’s Bigger Picture Programme to create new opportunities for young people to develop themselves, including Sky Sports Scholarships, which support promising young athletes. Comcast knows the power of sports and how it brings communities together, as well as the importance of corporate social responsibility programmes to building the communities where Comcast’s employees and customers live and work.

 

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The above statements of intent in relation to Sky are not “post-offer undertakings” for the purposes of Rule 19.5 of the City Code.

 

6.Directors, management, employees, research and development, locations

 

Employees and management

 

Comcast attaches great importance to the skills and experience of the existing managers and employees of Sky and believes that they will benefit from greater opportunities as a result of being part of the Enlarged Group.

 

Comcast recognises, however, that in order to achieve the expected benefits of the Acquisition, some operational and administrative restructuring will be required across both Comcast and Sky following completion of the Acquisition. Preliminary integration work carried out to date has confirmed that there is likely to be overlap between the two businesses and that there is the potential to generate cost savings for the Enlarged Group through corporate and administrative efficiencies, however, it expects there to be limited impact on headcount. In particular, in the event of a delisting of the Sky Shares and re-registration of Sky as a private limited company (as further described in paragraph ‎14 below), a number of corporate and support functions, including certain functions related to Sky’s status as a public listed company, will potentially require reduced headcount.

 

Comcast does not expect this integration review to have a material impact on the continued employment of the employees and management of Sky or the Enlarged Group or on the balance of skills and functions.

 

Comcast would approach any integration in an open and transparent manner with the aim of maintaining operational momentum and retaining and motivating the best talent across the Enlarged Group. The finalisation and implementation of any restructuring, integration and workforce reductions will be subject to detailed and comprehensive planning, and to appropriate engagement with stakeholders, including affected employees and any appropriate employee representative bodies in accordance with the legal obligations of the Enlarged Group. Comcast would commence this engagement process long enough before any final decision is taken to implement any job reductions so as to ensure that relevant legal obligations are complied with.

 

Existing rights and pensions

 

Comcast confirms that, upon and following completion of the Acquisition, the existing contractual and statutory employment rights, including in relation to pensions, of all of Sky’s management and employees will be safeguarded, in accordance with applicable law. Comcast does not intend to make any material change to the conditions of employment of the employees of the Sky Group.

 

Sky’s defined benefit pension schemes will remain closed to the admission of new members and to future accrual, and will continue to be funded in accordance with existing arrangements. The accrued benefits for existing members of Sky’s defined benefit pension schemes will not be affected.

 

Incentivisation arrangements

 

Comcast has not entered into, and has not had discussion of proposals to enter into, any form of incentivisation arrangements with members of Sky’s management, however it intends to put in place such arrangements for certain members of Sky’s management team following completion of the Acquisition in consultation with Sky’s executive management.

 

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Comcast intends to provide incentive arrangements for Sky employees consistent with its applicable compensation schemes and having regard to Sky’s current incentive arrangements and its desire to attract and retain talent at Sky.

 

Locations, headquarters and research and development

 

Comcast does not currently anticipate any material change in the locations of Sky’s or Comcast’s business. As stated in paragraph 5 above, Comcast intends to maintain Sky’s UK headquarters and intends to maintain headquarters’ functions at the Osterley campus. In addition, Comcast intends to maintain Sky’s Milan and Munich offices as national headquarters. The majority of the senior management of the Enlarged Group will remain based in Philadelphia and London.

 

No other changes are envisaged by Comcast with respect to the redeployment of Sky’s fixed asset base, or the research and development functions of Sky.

 

Trading facilities

 

Sky is currently listed on the London Stock Exchange. In the event that Comcast reaches the requisite acceptance threshold referred to in paragraph ‎14 below, Comcast intends to seek the cancellation of the trading of Sky Shares on the London Stock Exchange and de-listing of Sky from the Official List.

 

No statements in this paragraph ‎6 are “post-offer undertakings” for the purposes of Rule 19.5 of the City Code.

 

7.Information on Comcast

 

About Comcast NBCUniversal

 

Fifty-five years ago, Comcast was built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and trust, and those core values remain part of the company and its 164,000 employees’ culture today. Comcast is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses: Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal.

 

·Comcast Cable is a provider of video, high-speed internet, landline and mobile phone and home security and automation services to residential customers under the XFINITY brand in the United States, and also provides these and other services to business customers in the United States. Comcast has 29 million customer relationships in the United States (39 states and Washington, D.C.).

 

·NBCUniversal is a media and entertainment business with a portfolio of news and entertainment broadcast and cable television networks and brands (including NBC, Telemundo, NBC News, CNBC, MSNBC, NBC Sports, USA Network, E!, Bravo, and Syfy), motion picture studios (Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Illumination Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation), television production operations (Universal Cable Productions, Telemundo Studios, Universal Television), two leading television stations groups, renowned theme parks (in the U.S, Japan, and a park in development in China), and a number of Internet-based businesses.

 

Comcast’s Class A Common Stock is registered on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under symbol CMCSA and its market capitalisation was approximately $183.8 billion as at 26 February 2018, being the last Business Day before the announcement of Comcast’s possible offer for Sky. For the year ended 31 December 2017, Comcast reported revenue of $84.5 billion and net income of $22.7 billion.

 

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Comcast NBCUniversal: A Record of Success

 

Comcast knows how to integrate and grow content and distribution companies and has a proven track record of being a strong steward of acquired companies, as evidenced by the growth and success of NBCUniversal. Comcast is proud of its record of success, which includes:

 

·Since the NBCUniversal acquisition, NBCUniversal has been the fastest growing major media company in the U.S. The NBC broadcast network has gone from last to first in the U.S. rankings and it has finished first for four consecutive years.

 

·In 2017, Telemundo ranked as the #1 Spanish-language television network in weekday primetime and among the top five broadcast networks in the U.S., regardless of language.

 

·Universal Pictures continues to break box office records with hit films like Minions, Despicable Me 3, Jurassic World, and Fate of the Furious.

 

·Comcast NBCUniversal has made historic investments in major sports rights in the U.S., including the Olympic Games (through 2032), World Cup (Telemundo has the Spanish language U.S. media rights in 2018 and 2022), Premier League football, NASCAR, and the NFL and NHL on NBC.

 

NBCUniversal in the UK

 

Owned by Comcast Corporation, NBCUniversal is a leading media and entertainment business with more than 1,300 employees in the UK.

 

As a producer, NBCUniversal has invested more than $1 billion in film and TV productions in the UK over the past three years in a wide variety of content. This includes films such as Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Jason Bourne as well as TV programmes such as Downton Abbey, The Last Kingdom and Made In Chelsea. In addition to big budget feature films, NBCUniversal has also produced in the UK critically acclaimed and award-winning films such as The Theory of Everything, The Danish Girl, and, most recently, Darkest Hour. NBCUniversal’s UK based production businesses include Working Title Films, Focus Features, Carnival Films, and Monkey Kingdom.

 

Across NBCUniversal’s range of entertainment and business news TV channels, NBCUniversal has Ofcom and other broadcasting licenses, covering linear TV channels with a variety of country-specific feeds broadcasting into different countries.

 

NBCUniversal also has multiple On-Demand services in the UK for the distribution of on-demand audio-visual services across a variety of outlets and platforms. These services include hayu, E!, Universal Channel, and Syfy. hayu is a standalone all-reality subscription OTT service, launched in the UK, Ireland, and Australia in 2016 which has now been rolled out in the Nordics.

 

8.Information on Sky

 

Sky is a leading entertainment and communications company in Europe. Sky serves approximately 23 million retail customers across seven countries: UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

 

The majority of the Sky Group’s revenue is derived from retailing pay television services both in the home and on the move. In the UK and Ireland, the Sky Group also offers customers broadband and telephony products, including internet via DSL, fibre and WiFi,

 

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and has recently established a mobile offering. The Sky Group retails TV services to commercial customers and operates adjacent businesses which include wholesaling Sky channels to other providers and selling advertising on the Sky Group’s own and partner channels. The Sky Group also sells both Sky Group originated television programmes and third party television programmes internationally through ‘Sky Vision’.

 

The ordinary shares of Sky are listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol SKY. For the financial year ended 30 June 2017, Sky reported adjusted revenue of £12.9 billion, adjusted operating profit of £1,468 million and adjusted profit after tax of £1,048 million.

 

9.Pre-Conditions and Conditions

 

The receipt of competition clearance in the EU, and, if either a European intervention notice or an intervention notice has been issued under Sections 67 or 42 of the Enterprise Act 2002 respectively, approval of the Secretary of State, are Pre-Conditions to the Acquisition. Posting of the Offer Document will not take place until such time as the Pre-Conditions are satisfied or waived.

 

The Pre-Conditions are set out in Appendix I to this Announcement. If any Pre-Condition is waived by Comcast, the relevant clearance will remain as a Condition to the Acquisition and will need to be satisfied (or waived) before the Acquisition becomes unconditional in all respects. Such Conditions are substantially in the form set out in paragraphs ‎2, ‎3, ‎5 and ‎6 (inclusive) of ‎Part 1 of Appendix II to this Announcement. The waiver of any Pre-Condition by Comcast shall be made at Comcast’s discretion.

 

It is expected that the Offer Document will be dispatched to Sky Shareholders no later than 28 days after the date on which the last of the Pre-Conditions to be satisfied (or waived) is so satisfied (or waived), unless extended by Comcast with the consent of the Panel.

 

In addition to the Pre-Conditions, the Acquisition is conditional on, among other things, Comcast securing valid acceptances of the Offer in respect of Sky Shares which, taken together with all other Sky Shares which Comcast (and/or its nominee(s)) has acquired or agreed to acquire (whether pursuant to the Offer or otherwise), carry more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights then normally exercisable at a general meeting of Sky. This acceptance condition is not waivable by Comcast.

 

The Acquisition is also conditional on the receipt of various other antitrust and foreign investment approvals, other regulatory consents and waivers or non-exercise of any termination rights, preemption rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights in a number of jurisdictions, including (where required), Ireland, Austria, Germany, Italy and Jersey. The relevant Conditions are contained in paragraphs ‎7 to ‎13 (inclusive) of ‎Part 1 of Appendix II. Comcast has begun the processes to satisfy such Conditions. The Condition contained in paragraph ‎11 of ‎Part 1 of Appendix II is not waivable by Comcast.

 

10.Financing of the Acquisition

 

In connection with the financing of the Cash Consideration payable to Sky Shareholders pursuant to the Acquisition, Comcast has entered into the following credit agreements arranged by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC: (i) an unsecured bridge credit agreement in an aggregate principal amount of up to £16,000,000,000 and (ii) an unsecured term loan credit agreement in an aggregate principal amount of up to £7,000,000,000.

 

Under the terms of each credit agreement, Comcast has agreed that it will not amend, treat as satisfied or waive any term or condition without the consent of the lenders (such

 

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consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) if to do so would be materially prejudicial to the interests of the lenders under the relevant credit agreement, save as required pursuant to the City Code, the Panel, any other competent regulatory body or by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

It is currently envisaged that the commitments under the bridge credit agreement will be replaced, in whole or in part, by senior unsecured notes issued by Comcast or one of its subsidiaries in a public offering or private placement.

 

Robey Warshaw, financial adviser to Comcast, is satisfied that sufficient resources are available to satisfy the full Cash Consideration payable to Sky Shareholders under the terms of the Acquisition.

 

Further information on the financing of the Acquisition will be set out in the Offer Document.

 

11.Offer-related arrangements

 

Sky and Comcast entered into the Confidentiality Agreement dated 6 March 2018 pursuant to which each of Sky and Comcast has undertaken, among other things, to keep certain information confidential and not to disclose it to third parties (other than to permitted persons) unless required by law or regulation. These confidentiality obligations will remain in force for a period of two years from the date of the Confidentiality Agreement with the exception of information concerning the existence and contents of the discussions between the parties about the Acquisition, which will remain in force for as long as such information remains confidential.

 

12.Disclosure of interests in Sky Shares

 

As at the close of business on 24 April 2018, being the last Business Day prior to the date of this Announcement, none of Comcast nor any of its directors, nor, so far as the directors of Comcast are aware, any person acting, or deemed to be acting, in concert (within the meaning of the City Code) with Comcast, had:

 

(a)any interest in, or right to subscribe for, any relevant securities of Sky;

 

(b)any short position in (whether conditional or absolute and whether in the money or otherwise), including any short position under a derivative, any agreement to sell or any delivery obligation or right to require another person to purchase or take delivery of, relevant securities of Sky;

 

(c)procured an irrevocable commitment or letter of intent to accept the terms of the Acquisition in respect of relevant securities of Sky; or

 

(d)borrowed or lent any such securities (including, for these purposes, any financial collateral arrangements of the kind referred to in Note 4 on Rule 2.6 of the City Code).

 

Furthermore, no dealing arrangement (of the kind referred to in Note 11 of the definition of “acting in concert” in the City Code) exists between Comcast (or any person acting in concert with it) and Sky in relation to Sky Shares. For these purposes, a dealing arrangement includes any indemnity or option arrangement, any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, of whatever nature, relating to Sky Shares which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing in such securities.

 

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13.Structure of the Acquisition

 

It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by way of a takeover offer under Part 28 of the Companies Act and under the City Code. Comcast’s current intention is for a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comcast to acquire the Sky Shares pursuant to the Acquisition.

 

The Sky Shares shall be acquired by Comcast (or its nominee, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comcast) under the Acquisition fully paid and free from all liens, equities, charges, encumbrances, options, rights of pre-emption and any other third party rights and interests of any nature and together with all rights now or hereafter attaching or accruing to them, including voting rights and the right to receive and retain in full all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid on or after the Effective Date.

 

The Offer Document and Form of Acceptance will include full details of the Acquisition and the expected timetable, and will specify the actions to be taken by Sky Shareholders in connection with the Acquisition. It is expected that the Offer Document will be dispatched to Sky Shareholders within 28 days after the date on which the last of the Pre-Conditions to be satisfied (or waived) is so satisfied (or waived), unless extended by Comcast with the consent of the Panel.

 

Sky Shareholders are urged to read the Offer Document and the accompanying Form of Acceptance when they are sent to them because they will contain important information. An indicative timetable setting out the expected dates for implementation of the Acquisition will be included in the Offer Document.

 

14.Compulsory acquisition, de-listing and re-registration

 

If Comcast receives acceptances under the Offer in respect of, and/or otherwise acquires, both 90 per cent. or more in nominal value of the Sky Shares to which the Offer relates and 90 per cent. or more of the voting rights carried by those shares, and assuming that all of the other Conditions of the Acquisition have been satisfied or waived (if capable of being waived), Comcast intends to exercise its rights in accordance with Sections 974 to 991 of the Companies Act to acquire compulsorily the remaining Sky Shares on the same terms as the Acquisition.

 

Following the Acquisition becoming or being declared unconditional in all respects, if Comcast receives acceptances under the Offer in respect of, and/or otherwise acquires or agrees to acquire 75 per cent. or more of the voting rights carried by the Sky Shares or the appropriate special resolutions are otherwise passed, and subject to any applicable requirements of the UK Listing Authority, it is intended that Comcast will procure that Sky makes applications to cancel the listing of Sky Shares on the UK Listing Authority’s Official List, to cancel trading in Sky Shares on the London Stock Exchange’s main market for listed securities and to re-register Sky as a private limited company.

 

Delisting of the Sky Shares and the re-registration of Sky as a private limited company would significantly reduce the liquidity and marketability of any Sky Shares in respect of which the Offer has not been accepted at that time. Any remaining Sky Shareholders would become minority shareholders in a majority controlled private limited company and may therefore be unable to sell their Sky Shares. There can be no certainty that Sky would pay any further dividends or other distributions or that such minority Sky Shareholders would again be offered an opportunity to sell their Sky Shares on terms which are equivalent to or no less advantageous than those under the Offer.

 

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15.Sky Share Plans

 

Subject to applicable confidentiality, legal and regulatory requirements, Comcast intends to request from Sky such details in relation to the Sky Share Plans as Comcast may reasonably require in order to make appropriate proposals to the participants in the Sky Share Plans, as provided for in Rule 15 of the City Code, including the proposals as set out in Appendix III.

 

Participants in any of the Sky Share Plans will be contacted in due course regarding the proposals to be made to them and their rights under those plans.

 

16.Sky ADRs

 

Comcast is offering to purchase all Sky Shares, including those underlying and represented by Sky ADRs. Details of participation by Sky ADR Holders in the Acquisition will be set out in the Offer Document.

 

17.Overseas Shareholders

 

The availability of the Offer, and the distribution of this Announcement to persons not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which such persons are resident. Such persons should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable legal and regulatory requirements of their jurisdiction.

 

Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be contained in the Offer Document. Sky Shareholders who are in any doubt about such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.

 

18.Documents on website

 

Copies of the following documents will by no later than 12.00 p.m. on 26 April 2018 be published on Comcast’s website (www.cmcsa.com/proposal-for-sky):

 

(a)this Announcement;

 

(b)the Confidentiality Agreement referred to in paragraph ‎11 above; and

 

(c)Comcast’s financing arrangements in connection with the Acquisition as referred to in paragraph ‎10 above.

 

19.General

 

In deciding whether or not to accept the Offer in respect of their Sky Shares, Sky Shareholders should rely on the information contained, and follow the procedures described, in the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance.

 

Each of Comcast’s financial advisers has given and not withdrawn its consent to the publication of this Announcement with the inclusion herein of the references to its name in the form and context in which it appears.

 

Enquiries

 

Comcast Corporation  
D’Arcy Rudnay (Media) Tel: +1 215 286 8582
Jason Armstrong (Investors) Tel: +1 215 286 7972

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Robey Warshaw  
Simon Robey / Simon Warshaw Tel: +44 20 7317 3900
   
Evercore  
Roger Altman / Eduardo Mestre Tel: +1 212 857 3100
   
BofA Merrill Lynch  
Adrian Mee / Tim Waddell (Corporate Broking) Tel: +44 20 7628 1000
   
Wells Fargo  
Stephen Locke Tel: +1 704 410 4766
   
Tulchan Communications  
Andrew Grant / Tom Murray   Tel: +44 20 7353 4200

 

 

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP are retained as legal advisers to Comcast.

 

Important notices relating to financial advisers

 

Robey Warshaw LLP (“Robey Warshaw”), which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively as financial adviser to Comcast and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this Announcement, and Robey Warshaw will not be responsible to anyone other than Comcast for providing the protections afforded to clients of Robey Warshaw or for providing advice in relation to the matters referred to in this Announcement, the contents of this Announcement or any other matter referred to herein.

 

Evercore Partners International LLP (“Evercore”), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting as financial adviser exclusively for Comcast and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this Announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters referred to in this Announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Comcast for providing the protections afforded to clients of Evercore, nor for providing advice in relation to the matters referred to in this Announcement.

 

Merrill Lynch International (“BofA Merrill Lynch”), a subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the FCA and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively as financial adviser for Comcast and will not be responsible to anyone other than Comcast for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in this Announcement.

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, which is authorised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the SEC in the United States, is acting exclusively as co-financial adviser for Comcast and will not be responsible to anyone other than Comcast for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in this Announcement.

 

Further information

 

This Announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer or invitation, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Sky in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable

 

24

 

law. The Acquisition (if implemented pursuant to an Offer) will be implemented solely pursuant to the terms of the Offer Document and the accompanying Form of Acceptance, which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how to accept the Offer. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance. Sky Shareholders are advised to read the formal documentation in relation to the Acquisition carefully once it has been dispatched. Each Sky Shareholder is urged to consult his or her independent professional adviser regarding the tax consequences of the Acquisition.

 

This Announcement does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent document.

 

Information relating to Sky Shareholders

 

Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other information provided by Sky Shareholders, persons with information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Sky may be provided to Comcast during the Offer Period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the City Code.

 

Important information for U.S. shareholders and Sky ADR Holders

 

Sky is a public limited company incorporated in England. The Offer will be made to Sky Shareholders in the United States in compliance with the applicable U.S. tender offer rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “U.S. Exchange Act”), including Regulation 14E thereunder taking into account no action relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of English law. Accordingly, the Offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, the offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer law and practice. Sky’s financial information, including any included in the offer documentation, will not have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, or derived therefrom, and may therefore differ from, and not be comparable with, financial information of U.S. companies.

 

Comcast and its affiliates or brokers (acting as agents for Comcast or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase, or arrange to purchase outside the United States, shares in Sky or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such shares before or during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance, to the extent permitted by, and in compliance with, exemptive relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act and in compliance with the City Code. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Information about any such purchases or arrangements to purchase that is made public in accordance with English law and practice will be available to all investors (including in the United States) via the Regulatory News Service on www.londonstockexchange.com.

 

The Offer, if consummated, may have consequences under U.S. federal income tax and applicable U.S. state and local, as well as non-U.S., tax laws for Sky Shareholders and Sky ADR Holders. Each Sky Shareholder and Sky ADR Holder is urged to consult his or her independent professional adviser regarding the tax consequences of the Offer.

 

It may not be possible for Sky Shareholders or Sky ADR Holders in the United States to effect service of process within the United States upon Sky (a company incorporated in England), or its officers or directors, some or all of which may reside outside the United States, or to enforce against any of them judgments of the United States courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or other U.S. law. It may not be possible to bring an action against Sky, or its officers or directors, in a non-U.S. court for violations of U.S. law, including the U.S. securities laws. There is also substantial doubt as to

 

25

 

enforceability in the United Kingdom in original actions, or in actions for the enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, based on civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws.

 

Overseas jurisdictions

 

The release, publication or distribution of this Announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom to accept the Offer, or to execute and deliver the Form of Acceptance, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. Sky Shareholders who are in any doubt regarding such matters should consult an appropriate independent adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay. Any failure to comply with such restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

This Announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law and the City Code and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this Announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside of England.

 

Unless otherwise determined by Comcast or required by the City Code, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Offer will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of that jurisdiction and no person may accept the Offer by any use, means, instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction and the Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities. Accordingly, copies of this Announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction.

 

Further details in relation to Sky Shareholders in overseas jurisdictions will be contained in the Offer Document.

 

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

 

This Announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this Announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Comcast contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Comcast about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this Announcement include statements relating to the expected effects or synergies of the Acquisition on Comcast and Sky, the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “is subject to”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Although Comcast believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Comcast can give no

 

26

 

assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to the information regarding these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors set forth in the public filings made by Sky and the public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission made by Comcast, important risk factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, (i) the completion of the Acquisition on anticipated terms and timing, (ii) the ability of Sky and Comcast to integrate the businesses successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies or benefits, (iii) the risk that disruptions from the Acquisition will harm Sky’s or Comcast’s businesses, (iv) legislative, regulatory and economic developments and (v) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realisation of forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors.

 

Neither Comcast nor any of its associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this Announcement will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations, Comcast is under no obligation, and Comcast expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

No profit forecast or estimates

 

No statement in this Announcement is intended as a profit forecast or profit estimate for any period. No statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that cash flow from operations, free cash flow, earnings or earnings per share for Comcast or Sky, as appropriate, for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published cash flow from operations, free cash flow, earnings or earnings per share for Comcast or Sky, as appropriate.

 

Dealing and Opening Position Disclosure Requirements of the City Code

 

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the City Code, any person who is interested in one per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the Offer Period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified.

 

An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the Offer Period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to midnight on the day before the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a dealing disclosure.

 

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the City Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in one per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a dealing disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree

 

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company or of any securities exchange offeror. A dealing disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A dealing disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.

 

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

 

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and dealing disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

 

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and dealing disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the Offer Period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. If you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a dealing disclosure, you should contact the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0) 20 7638 0129.

 

For the purposes of this section (Disclosure requirements of the City Code) and the following section (Publication on Website) of this Announcement, “business day” means a day on which the London Stock Exchange is open for the transaction of business.

 

Publication on Website

 

This Announcement and the documents required to be published pursuant to Rule 26 of the City Code will be available free of charge, subject to certain restrictions in relation to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Comcast’s website at www.cmcsa.com/proposal-for-sky by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the business day following this Announcement. Neither the content of any website referred to in this Announcement nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks is incorporated into, or forms part of, this Announcement.

 

Sky Shareholders may request a hard copy of this Announcement by contacting Equiniti Limited on 0371 384 2091. Sky Shareholders may also request that all future documents, announcements and information to be sent to them in relation to the Acquisition should be in hard copy form. A hard copy of such documents, announcements (including this Announcement) and information will not be sent unless so requested.

 

Rounding

 

Certain figures included in this Announcement have been subjected to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for the same category presented in different tables may vary slightly and figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.

 

Time

 

All times shown in this Announcement are London times, unless otherwise stated.

 

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Appendix I

 

PRE-CONDITIONS TO THE ACQUISITION

 

The posting of the Offer Document or making of an Offer will take place following the satisfaction or waiver of the Pre-Conditions below, and Comcast shall be entitled to waive each of the following PreConditions in whole or in part:

 

1.the European Commission deciding, in terms satisfactory to Comcast, that the Acquisition or any matter arising from or relating to the Acquisition or the Comcast Group’s involvement in the Acquisition does not fall within the scope of application of EU merger control pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) of the EU Merger Regulation or is compatible with the internal market pursuant to Article 6(1)(b), 6(2) or 8(1) or 8(2) of the EU Merger Regulation or having been deemed to have done so under Article 10(6) of the EU Merger Regulation;

 

2.if the Secretary of State issues a European intervention notice under Section 67 of the Enterprise Act 2002:

 

(a)it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that the Secretary of State does not intend to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition and either:

 

(i)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of a decision by the Secretary of State not to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition without such an application having been made; or

 

(ii)if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT; or

 

(b)if the Secretary of State decides to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition:

 

(i)either:

 

(A)the Secretary of State deciding in terms satisfactory to Comcast that the Acquisition will not result in the creation of a European relevant merger situation that may be expected to operate against the public interest; or

 

(B)the Secretary of State allowing the Acquisition to proceed on terms satisfactory to Comcast; and

 

(ii)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of any such decision without such an application having been made; or, if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT;

 

3.if a request under Article 9(2) of the EU Merger Regulation has been made by the United Kingdom and the European Commission has referred the Acquisition, in whole or in part, to the CMA:

 

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(a)to the extent that the European Commission retains jurisdiction over any part of the Acquisition, the European Commission deciding, in terms satisfactory to Comcast, that the Acquisition or any matter arising from or relating to the Acquisition or the Comcast Group’s involvement in the Acquisition is compatible with the internal market pursuant to Article 6(1)(b), 6(2) or 8(1) or 8(2) of the EU Merger Regulation or having been deemed to have done so under Article 10(6) of the EU Merger Regulation;

 

(b)it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that the CMA does not intend to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition and either:

 

(i)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of such a decision without such an application having been made; or

 

(ii)if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT; or

 

(c)if the CMA decides to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition:

 

(i)either:

 

(A)the CMA concluding that the Acquisition will not result in the creation of a relevant merger situation that may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services; or

 

(B)the CMA allowing the Acquisition to proceed on terms satisfactory to Comcast; and

 

(ii)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of such a decision without such an application having been made or, if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT; and

 

4.if the Secretary of State issues an intervention notice under Section 42 of the Enterprise Act 2002:

 

(a)it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that the Secretary of State does not intend to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition; and either:

 

(i)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of such a decision without such an application having been made; or

 

(ii)if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being

 

30

 

established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT; or

 

(b)if the Secretary of State decides to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition:

 

(i)either:

 

(A)the Secretary of State deciding in terms satisfactory to Comcast that the Acquisition will not result in the creation of a relevant merger situation that may be expected to operate against the public interest;

 

(B)the Secretary of State allowing the Acquisition to proceed on terms satisfactory to Comcast; or

 

(C)in the event the Secretary of State decides to make no finding at all in relation to the Acquisition (pursuant to Section 54(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002), the CMA allowing the Acquisition to proceed on terms satisfactory to Comcast; and

 

(ii)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of such a decision without such an application having been made; or, if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT.

 

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Appendix II

 

CONDITIONS TO AND CERTAIN FURTHER TERMS OF THE
ACQUISITION

 

Part 1      Conditions to the Acquisition

 

The Acquisition will be conditional upon:

 

Acceptance Condition

 

1.valid acceptances of the Offer having been received (and not, where permitted, withdrawn) by no later than 1.00 p.m. on the first closing date of the Offer as specified in the Offer Document (or such later times and/or dates as Comcast may, subject to the rules of the City Code or with the consent of the Panel, decide) in respect of Sky Shares which, taken together with all other Sky Shares which Comcast (and/or its nominee(s)) has acquired or agreed to acquire (whether pursuant to the Offer or otherwise), carry in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights then normally exercisable at a general meeting of Sky;

 

For the purposes of this Condition ‎1:

 

(a)Sky Shares which have been unconditionally allotted but not issued before the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances, whether pursuant to the exercise of any outstanding subscription or conversion rights or otherwise, shall be deemed to carry the voting rights they will carry upon issue;

 

(b)valid acceptances shall be deemed to have been received in respect of Sky Shares which are treated for the purposes of Part 28 of the Companies Act as having been acquired or contracted to be acquired by Comcast, whether by virtue of acceptance of the Offer or otherwise; and

 

(c)all percentages of voting rights and share capital are to be calculated by reference to the percentage held and in issue outside treasury;

 

In addition, the Acquisition will be conditional upon the following Conditions and, accordingly, the Offer will not become or be declared wholly unconditional unless the following Conditions (as amended if appropriate) have been satisfied or, where relevant, waived:

 

Regulatory Approvals

 

2.the European Commission deciding, in terms satisfactory to Comcast, that the Acquisition or any matter arising from or relating to the Acquisition or the Comcast Group’s involvement in the Acquisition does not fall within the scope of application of EU merger control pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) of the EU Merger Regulation or is compatible with the internal market pursuant to Article 6(1)(b), 6(2) or 8(1) or 8(2) of the EU Merger Regulation or having been deemed to have done so under Article 10(6) of the EU Merger Regulation;

 

3.in the event that the European Commission has issued a decision (or is deemed to have done so) that the whole or part of the Acquisition is to be referred to a competent authority of one or more Member States under Article 9 of the EU Merger Regulation:

 

(a)to the extent that the European Commission retains jurisdiction over any part of the Acquisition or any matter arising from or relating to the Acquisition or the Comcast Group’s involvement in the Acquisition, the European Commission deciding, in terms satisfactory to Comcast, that the Acquisition or any matter

 

32

 

arising from or relating to the Acquisition or the Comcast Group’s involvement in the Acquisition is compatible with the internal market pursuant to Article 6(1)(b), 6(2) or 8(1) or 8(2) of the EU Merger Regulation or having been deemed to have done so under Article 10(6) of the EU Merger Regulation;

 

(b)to the extent that the whole or part of the Acquisition is referred under Article 9 of the EU Merger Regulation to the CMA:

 

(i)it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that the CMA does not intend to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition and either:

 

(A)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of such a decision without such an application having been made; or

 

(B)if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT; or

 

(ii)if the CMA decides to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition:

 

(A)either:

 

I.the CMA concluding that the Acquisition will not result in the creation of a relevant merger situation that may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services; or

 

II.the CMA allowing the Acquisition to proceed on terms satisfactory to Comcast; and

 

(B)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of such a decision without such an application having been made or, if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT;

 

(c)to the extent that the whole or part of the Acquisition is referred under Article 9 of the EU Merger Regulation to the Italian Competition Authority:

 

(i)the Italian Competition Authority serving, according to Section 16(4) of Law No. 287/1990, a written notice to Comcast that it does not intend to commence a formal investigation in relation to the Acquisition or the 30 days period provided by Article 16(4) of Law No. 287/1990 is expired without the commencement of a formal investigation; or

 

(ii)in the event that a formal investigation is commenced by the Italian Competition Authority, it serving according to Article 6(2) or Article

 

33

 

18(2) of Law No. 287/1990 a decision to Comcast clearing the Acquisition in terms satisfactory to Comcast; and

 

(iii)the time allowed for an application for review of any decision referred to in ‎(i) and ‎(ii) above having expired without any such application for review having been made to the Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale del Lazio (the “Italian First Instance Administrative Court”) or to the President of the Italian Republic (through a Ricorso Straordinario al Capo dello Stato);

 

(d)to the extent that the whole or part of the Acquisition is referred under Article 9 of the EU Merger Regulation to the German Competition Authority (Bundeskartellamt):

 

(i)it either being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast:

 

(A)that the German Competition Authority has decided not to open second phase proceedings (Hauptprüfverfahren) pursuant to Section 40 (1) of the German Act against Restraints of Competition (Gesetz gegen Wettbewerbsbeschränkungen); or

 

(B)that the statutory time period for opening second phase proceedings pursuant to Section 40 (1) of the German Act against Restraints of Competition has expired without the German Competition Authority having timely informed the notifying undertakings that it has opened second phase proceedings;

 

(ii)or in the event the German Competition Authority having made a decision to open second phase proceedings pursuant to Section 40 (1) of the German Act against Restraints of Competition, the German Competition Authority has:

 

(A)either

 

I.issued a clearance decision without conditions and/or obligations under Section 40 (2) of the German Act against Restraints of Competition, or is deemed to have done so after the expiry of the statutory time period pursuant to Section 40 (2) of the German Act against Restraints of Competition; or

 

II.issued a clearance decision subject to conditions and/or obligations pursuant to Section 40 (2)(3) of the German Act against Restraints of Competition on terms satisfactory to Comcast; and

 

(B)the limitation period for an appeal of such clearance decision pursuant to Section 66 (1) of the German Act against Restraints of Competition has expired without an appeal having been filed;

 

(e)to the extent that the whole or part of the Acquisition is referred under Article 9 of the EU Merger Regulation to the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (the “CCPC”):

 

(i)the CCPC having informed the notifying parties pursuant to Section 21(2)(a) of the Irish Competition Act 2002 (as amended) (the

 

34

 

Competition Act”) that it has made a determination that the Acquisition may be put into effect or put into effect subject to commitments that are satisfactory to Comcast; or

 

(ii)the period specified in Section 21(2) of the Competition Act having elapsed without the CCPC having informed the notifying parties of the determination (if any) which it has made under Section 21(2) of the Competition Act; or

 

(iii)the CCPC informing the notifying parties that it has determined under Section 22(3) of the Competition Act that the Acquisition may be put into effect or put into effect subject to commitments that are satisfactory to Comcast; or

 

(iv)120 working days after the “appropriate date” (as defined in Section 19(6) of the Competition Act) having elapsed, or, where a requirement is made under Section 20(2) of the Competition Act, 120 working days and any period of suspension that applied pursuant to Section 22(4A) after the “appropriate date” having elapsed, without the CCPC having made a determination under Section 22(3) of the Competition Act; or

 

(v)40 working days having passed from the date the notifying parties are informed of the CCPC’s determination pursuant to Section 22(3) and no appeal having been made to the Irish High Court under Section 24 of the Competition Act; and

 

(vi)3 months having passed from the date of the CCPC’s determination under Sections 21(2) or 22(3) and judicial review proceedings have not been filed with the Irish High Court in accordance with Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts.

 

(f)to the extent that the whole or part of the Acquisition is referred under Article 9 of the EU Merger Regulation to the Austrian antitrust authorities (Amtsparteien):

 

(i)both of the competent Austrian antitrust authorities (Amtsparteien) having waived their right to file for an application for examination (Verzicht auf Stellung eines Prüfantrags) of the Acquisition pursuant to Section 11 (4) of the Austrian Cartel Act; or the standstill period (Antragsfrist) of 4 weeks (or 6 weeks upon request of the notifying party) provided for in Section 11 (1) or (1a) of the Austrian Cartel Act having lapsed and no application for examination having been made (keine Stellung eines Prüfungsantrags) by any of the Austrian antitrust authorities; or

 

(ii)in the event that one or both of the competent Austrian antitrust authorities has made a request for an application for examination of the Acquisition pursuant to Section 11 (1) of the Austrian Cartel Act:

 

(A)the respective competent Austrian antitrust authorit(y/ies) (Amtspartei(en)) having withdrawn their respective application(s) for examination;

 

(B)the Austrian Cartel Court (Kartellgericht) or Austrian Supreme Cartel Court (Kartellobergericht) having issued a binding clearance decision (rechtskräftige Freigabeentscheidung);

 

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(C)the Austrian Cartel Court or Austrian Supreme Cartel Court having issued a binding decision (rechtskräftige Entscheidung) that no notifiable event (kein anmeldepflichtiger Zusammenschluss) arises from the Acquisition;

 

(D)the Austrian Cartel Court or Austrian Supreme Cartel Court having issued a binding decision providing for the termination of the proceedings based on the expiry of the waiting period of 5 months (or 6 months upon request of the notifying party) set out in Section 14 (1) of the Austrian Cartel Act; or

 

(E)the Austrian Supreme Cartel Court having issued a binding decision providing for the termination of the proceedings based on the expiry of the waiting period of 2 months set out in Section 14 (2) of the Austrian Cartel Act;

 

(g)to the extent the whole or part of the Acquisition is referred under Article 9 of the EU Merger Regulation to a competent authority of one or more other Member States, clearance having been obtained from the relevant competent authority;

 

4.the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority having issued its decision in writing in terms satisfactory to Comcast, to approve the Acquisition on completion of its first detailed review (as that term is used in the guidance issued by the Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities) under Article 22 of the Competition (Jersey) Law 2005; or, in the event of the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority having notified Comcast and Sky in writing of its having made a decision to commence a second detailed review (as that term is used in the guidance issued by the Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities), the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority having issued its decision in writing to approve the Acquisition on completion of its second detailed review in terms satisfactory to Comcast under Article 22 of the Competition (Jersey) Law 2005;

 

5.if the Secretary of State issues a European intervention notice under Section 67 of the Enterprise Act 2002:

 

(a)it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that the Secretary of State does not intend to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition and either:

 

(i)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of a decision by the Secretary of State not to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition without such an application having been made; or

 

(ii)if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT; or

 

(b)if the Secretary of State decides to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition:

 

(i)either:

 

(A)the Secretary of State deciding in terms satisfactory to Comcast that the Acquisition will not result in the creation of a European

 

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relevant merger situation that may be expected to operate against the public interest; or

 

(B)the Secretary of State allowing the Acquisition to proceed on terms satisfactory to Comcast; and

 

(ii)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of any such decision without such an application having been made; or, if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT;

 

6.if the Secretary of State issues an intervention notice under Section 42 of the Enterprise Act 2002:

 

(a)it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that the Secretary of State does not intend to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition; and either:

 

(i)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of such a decision without such an application having been made; or

 

(ii)if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT; or

 

(b)if the Secretary of State decides to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference in relation to the Acquisition:

 

(i)either:

 

(A)the Secretary of State deciding in terms satisfactory to Comcast that the Acquisition will not result in the creation of a relevant merger situation that may be expected to operate against the public interest;

 

(B)the Secretary of State allowing the Acquisition to proceed on terms satisfactory to Comcast; or

 

(C)in the event the Secretary of State decides to make no finding at all in relation to the Acquisition (pursuant to Section 54(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002), the CMA allowing the Acquisition to proceed on terms satisfactory to Comcast; and

 

(ii)the expiry of the time limit within which an application may be made to the CAT for the setting aside of such a decision without such an application having been made; or, if any such application or applications has or have been made, the dismissal of such application or applications by the CAT and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling of the CAT;

 

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7.the Italian Communications Authority having granted on terms satisfactory to Comcast the authorisation concerning the acquisition of a company operating in the Radio/TV sector, pursuant to Article 1(6), lett. C), no. 13 of Law no. 249/1997 and Article 3, Annex A of Agcom resolution 368/14/CONS; and

 

(a)the Italian Communications Authority having granted (or being deemed to have done so) the authorisation concerning the potential acquisition of a dominant position in the media and telecommunication sectors and the control of pluralism, pursuant to Article 43 of Legislative Decree no. 177/2005, through a decision in terms satisfactory to Comcast not to open an investigation under Article 4(8), Annex A of Agcom resolution 368/14/CONS; or

 

(b)(i) the Italian Communications Authority having made a decision (or being deemed to have made) to initiate an investigation under Article 16, Annex A of the Agcom resolution 368/14/CONS; and (ii) the Italian Communications Authority having issued a decision under Article 24, Annex A of the Agcom resolution 368/14/CONS in terms satisfactory to Comcast pursuant to Article 43 of Legislative Decree no. 177/2005 (or being deemed to have done so); and

 

(c)the time allowed for an application for review of any decision referred to in Conditions 7, 7(a) and 7(b), having expired without any such application for review having been made to the Italian First Instance Administrative Court or to the President of the Italian Republic (through a Ricorso Straordinario al Capo dello Stato);

 

8.the state media authorities in Bavaria (Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien (BLM)), and in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein (Medienanstalt Hamburg / Schleswig-Holstein (MA HSH)) having, issued statements of non-objection in relation to the Acquisition;

 

9.the Acquisition having been notified to the Irish Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (the “Minister”) pursuant to Section 28B(1) of the Competition Act and:

 

(a)the Minister having informed the notifying parties pursuant to Section 28D(1)(a) of the Competition Act that he has made a determination that the Acquisition will not be contrary to the public interest in protecting plurality of media in Ireland and may be put into effect; or

 

(b)the Minister having informed the notifying parties pursuant to Section 28D(1)(b) of the Competition Act that, in light of proposed commitments offered by the parties and satisfactory to Comcast, he has made a determination that the Acquisition will not be contrary to the public interest in protecting plurality of media in Ireland and may be put into effect subject to those commitments; or

 

(c)the Minister having informed the notifying parties pursuant to Section 28G(1)(a) of the Competition Act that he has determined that the Acquisition will not be contrary to the public interest in protecting plurality of media in Ireland and may be put into effect; or

 

(d)the Minister having informed the notifying parties pursuant to Section 28G(1)(c) of the Competition Act that, in light of proposed commitments offered by the parties and satisfactory to Comcast, he has made a determination that the Acquisition will not be contrary to the public interest in protecting plurality of media in Ireland and may be put into effect subject to those commitments; and

 

38

 

(e)40 working days having passed from the date the notifying parties are informed of the Minister’s decision under either of paragraphs (a), (b), (c) or (d) above and no appeal having been made to the High Court under Section 24 of the Competition Act;

 

10.under the Austrian media merger control regime of the Austrian Cartel Act (Kartellgesetz):

 

(a)both of the competent Austrian antitrust authorities (Amtsparteien) having waived their right to file for an application for examination (Verzicht auf Stellung eines Prüfantrags) of the Acquisition pursuant to Section 11 (4) of the Austrian Cartel Act; or the standstill period (Antragsfrist) of 4 weeks (or 6 weeks upon request of the notifying party) provided for in Section 11 (1) or (1a) of the Austrian Cartel Act having lapsed and no application for examination having been made (keine Stellung eines Prüfungsantrags) by any of the Austrian antitrust authorities; or

 

(b)in the event that one or both of the competent Austrian antitrust authorities has made a request for an application for examination of the Acquisition pursuant to Section 11 (1) of the Austrian Cartel Act:

 

(i)the respective competent Austrian antitrust authorit(y/ies) (Amtspartei(en)) having withdrawn their respective application(s) for examination;

 

(ii)the Austrian Cartel Court (Kartellgericht) or Austrian Supreme Cartel Court (Kartellobergericht) having issued a binding clearance decision (rechtskräftige Freigabeentscheidung);

 

(iii)the Austrian Cartel Court or Austrian Supreme Cartel Court having issued a binding decision (rechtskräftige Entscheidung) that no notifiable event (kein anmeldepflichtiger Zusammenschluss) arises from the Acquisition;

 

(iv)the Austrian Cartel Court or Austrian Supreme Cartel Court having issued a binding decision providing for the termination of the proceedings based on the expiry of the waiting period of 5 months (or 6 months upon request of the notifying party) set out in Section 14 (1) of the Austrian Cartel Act; or

 

(v)the Austrian Supreme Cartel Court having issued a binding decision providing for the termination of the proceedings based on the expiry of the waiting period of 2 months set out in Section 14 (2) of the Austrian Cartel Act;

 

11.in respect of the acquisition by Comcast of, or increase in control by Comcast with respect to, Sky UK Limited, the FCA:

 

(a)having given notice for the purposes of Section 189(4)(a) of FSMA that it has determined to approve such acquisition or increase in control on terms reasonably satisfactory to Comcast; or

 

(b)being treated, by virtue of Section 189(6) of FSMA, as having approved such acquisition of or increase in control, where references to FSMA are read, where applicable, with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Controllers) (Exemptions) Order 2009;

 

39

 

12.if approval from a Relevant Authority is required for, or a Relevant Authority decides to review, the Acquisition or any matter arising from or related to the Acquisition other than as specifically addressed by paragraphs 2 to 11 above:

 

(a)it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that such Relevant Authority approves or will permit the Acquisition to proceed on terms satisfactory to Comcast; and

 

(b)all relevant time periods for appeals or applications for review of such decision by the Relevant Authority having expired or, if any such appeals or applications are made, the dismissal of the appeals or applications in terms satisfactory to Comcast and it being established in terms satisfactory to Comcast that no further appeal has been or will be made against any relevant ruling.

 

General Third Party Clearances

 

13.The waiver (or non-exercise within any applicable time limits) by any relevant government or governmental, quasi-governmental, supranational, statutory, regulatory, environmental or investigative body, court, trade agency, association, institution, any entity owned or controlled by any relevant government or state, or any other body or person whatsoever in any jurisdiction (each a “Third Party”) of any termination right, right of pre-emption, first refusal or similar right (which is material in the context of the Wider Sky Group taken as a whole) arising as a result of or in connection with the Acquisition including, without limitation, its implementation and financing or the proposed direct or indirect acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control of, Sky by Comcast or any member of the Comcast Group.

 

14.Other than in relation to the competition law and regulatory approvals referred to in paragraphs 2 to 12 above, no Third Party having decided to take, institute, implement or threaten any action, proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or reference, or enacted, made or proposed any statute, regulation, decision or order, or having taken any other steps which would or might reasonably be expected to:

 

(a)require, prevent or delay the divestiture, or alter the terms envisaged for any proposed divestiture by any member of the Wider Comcast Group or any member of the Wider Sky Group of all or any portion of their respective businesses, assets or property or impose any limitation on the ability of any of them to conduct their respective businesses (or any of them) or to own any of their respective assets or properties or any part thereof which in any such case would be material in the context of the Wider Sky Group taken as a whole;

 

(b)require, prevent or delay the divestiture by any member of the Wider Comcast Group of any shares or other securities in Sky;

 

(c)impose any limitation on, or result in a delay in, the ability of any member of the Wider Comcast Group directly or indirectly to acquire or to hold or to exercise effectively any rights of ownership in respect of shares or loans or securities convertible into shares or any other securities (or the equivalent) in any member of the Wider Sky Group or the Wider Comcast Group or to exercise management control over any such member, in each case, to an extent which is material;

 

(d)otherwise adversely affect the business, assets, profits or prospects of any member of the Wider Comcast Group or of any member of the Wider Sky Group;

 

(e)make the Acquisition or its implementation or the acquisition or proposed acquisition by Comcast or any member of the Wider Comcast Group of any

 

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shares or other securities in, or control of Sky void, illegal, and/or unenforceable under the laws of any jurisdiction, or otherwise, directly or indirectly, restrain, restrict, prohibit, delay or otherwise interfere with the same, or impose material additional conditions or obligations with respect thereto, or otherwise challenge or interfere therewith;

 

(f)require any member of the Wider Comcast Group or the Wider Sky Group to offer to acquire any shares or other securities (or the equivalent) or interest in any member of the Wider Sky Group or the Wider Comcast Group owned by any third party where such acquisition would be material in the context of the Wider Sky Group taken as a whole or, as the case may be, the Wider Comcast Group taken as a whole;

 

(g)impose any limitation on the ability of any member of the Wider Sky Group to co-ordinate its business, or any part of it, with the businesses of any other members; or

 

(h)result in any member of the Wider Sky Group ceasing to be able to carry on business under any name under which it presently does so,

 

and all applicable waiting and other time periods during which any such Third Party could institute, implement or threaten any action, proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or reference or any other step under the laws of any jurisdiction in respect of the Acquisition or the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any Sky Shares having expired, lapsed or been terminated.

 

15.In addition to the competition law and regulatory approvals referred to in paragraphs ‎2 to ‎12 above, all necessary filings or applications having been made in connection with the Acquisition and all statutory or regulatory obligations in any jurisdiction having been complied with in connection with the Acquisition or the acquisition by any member of the Wider Comcast Group of any shares or other securities in, or control of, Sky and all authorisations, orders, recognitions, grants, consents, licences, confirmations, clearances, permissions and approvals for the proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control of, Sky by any member of the Wider Comcast Group having been obtained in terms and in a form satisfactory to Comcast from all appropriate Third Parties or persons with whom any member of the Wider Sky Group has entered into contractual arrangements and all such authorisations, orders, recognitions, grants, consents, licences, confirmations, clearances, permissions and approvals together with all authorisations orders, recognitions, grants, licences, confirmations, clearances, permissions and approvals necessary or appropriate to carry on the business of any member of the Wider Sky Group remaining in full force and effect and all filings necessary for such purpose have been made and there being no notice or intimation of any intention to revoke or not to renew any of the same at the time at which the Acquisition becomes otherwise unconditional and all necessary statutory or regulatory obligations in any jurisdiction having been complied with.

 

Certain matters arising as a result of any arrangement, agreement etc.

 

16.Except as Disclosed, there being no provision of any agreement, arrangement, licence, permit or other instrument to which any member of the Wider Sky Group is a party or by or to which any such member or any of its assets may be bound, entitled or subject, which in consequence of the Acquisition or the proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in Sky or because of a change in the control or management of Sky or otherwise, could or might reasonably be expected to result in to an extent which is material in the context of the Wider Sky Group as a whole, or in the context of the Acquisition:

 

41

 

(a)any moneys borrowed by or any other indebtedness (actual or contingent) of, or grant available to any such member, being or becoming repayable or capable of being declared repayable immediately or earlier than their or its stated maturity date or repayment date or the ability of any such member to borrow moneys or incur any indebtedness being withdrawn or inhibited or being capable of becoming or being withdrawn or inhibited;

 

(b)any such agreement, arrangement, licence, permit or instrument or the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of any such member thereunder being terminated or modified or affected or any obligation or liability arising or any action being taken or arising thereunder;

 

(c)any assets or interests of any such member being or falling to be disposed of or charged or any right arising under which any such asset or interest could be required to be disposed of or charged other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)the creation or enforcement of any mortgage, charge or other security interest over the whole or any part of the business, property or assets of any such member;

 

(e)the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of any such member in, or the business of any such member with, any person, firm or body (or any arrangement or arrangements relating to any such interest or business) being terminated, adversely modified or affected;

 

(f)the value of any such member or its financial or trading position or prospects being prejudiced or adversely affected;

 

(g)any such member ceasing to be able to carry on business under any name under which it presently does so; or

 

(h)the creation of any liability, actual or contingent, by any such member,

 

and no event having occurred which, under any provision of any agreement, arrangement, licence, permit or other instrument to which any member of the Wider Sky Group is a party or by or to which any such member or any of its assets may be bound, entitled or subject, would or might reasonably be expected to result in any of the events or circumstances as are referred to in sub-paragraphs ‎(a) to ‎(h) of this condition.

 

No material transactions, claims or changes in the conduct of the business of the Sky Group

 

17.Except as Disclosed, no member of the Wider Sky Group having, since 30 June 2017:

 

(a)save as between Sky and wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sky or for Sky Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of options or vesting of awards granted under the Sky Share Plans, issued, authorised or proposed the issue of additional shares of any class;

 

(b)save as between Sky and wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sky or for the grant of options and awards under the Sky Share Plans, issued or agreed to issue, authorised or proposed the issue of securities convertible into shares of any class or rights, warrants or options to subscribe for, or acquire, any such shares or convertible securities;

 

42

 

(c)other than to another member of the Sky Group, recommended, declared, paid or made or proposed to recommend, declare, pay or make any bonus, dividend or other distribution whether payable in cash or otherwise;

 

(d)save for intra-Sky Group transactions, merged or demerged with any body corporate or acquired or disposed of or transferred, mortgaged or charged or created any security interest over any assets or any right, title or interest in any asset (including shares and trade investments) or authorised or proposed or announced any intention to propose any merger, demerger, acquisition or disposal, transfer, mortgage, charge or security interest, in each case, other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)save for intra-Sky Group transactions, made or authorised or proposed or announced an intention to propose any material change in its loan capital;

 

(f)issued, authorised or proposed the issue of any debentures or (save for intra-Sky Group transactions), save in the ordinary course of business, incurred or increased any indebtedness or become subject to any contingent liability;

 

(g)purchased, redeemed or repaid or announced any proposal to purchase, redeem or repay any of its own shares or other securities or reduced or, save in respect to the matters mentioned in sub-paragraph ‎(a) above, made any other change to any part of its share capital;

 

(h)implemented, or authorised, proposed or announced its intention to implement, any reconstruction, amalgamation, scheme, commitment or other transaction or arrangement otherwise than in the ordinary course of business or entered into or changed the terms of any contract with any director or senior executive;

 

(i)entered into or varied or authorised, proposed or announced its intention to enter into or vary any contract, transaction or commitment (whether in respect of capital expenditure or otherwise) which is of a long term, onerous or unusual nature or magnitude or which is or could be restrictive on the businesses of any member of the Wider Sky Group or the Wider Comcast Group or which involves or could involve an obligation of such a nature or magnitude or which is other than in the ordinary course of business and which, in any such case, is material in the context of the Wider Sky Group taken as a whole;

 

(j)(other than in respect of a member which is dormant and was solvent at the relevant time) taken any corporate action or had any legal proceedings started or threatened against it for its winding-up, dissolution or reorganisation or for the appointment of a receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, trustee or similar officer of all or any of its assets or revenues or any analogous proceedings in any jurisdiction or had any such person appointed;

 

(k)entered into any contract, transaction or arrangement which would be restrictive on the business of any member of the Wider Sky Group or the Wider Comcast Group other than to a nature and extent which is normal in the context of the business concerned;

 

(l)waived or compromised any claim otherwise than in the ordinary course of business and which is material in the context of the Wider Sky Group taken as a whole;

 

(m)entered into any contract, commitment, arrangement or agreement otherwise than in the ordinary course of business or passed any resolution or made any offer (which remains open for acceptance) with respect to or announced any intention

 

43

 

to, or to propose to, effect any of the transactions, matters or events referred to in this condition and which is material in the context of the Wider Sky Group;

 

(n)having made or agreed or consented to any change to:

 

(i)the terms of the trust deeds constituting the pension scheme(s) established by any member of the Wider Sky Group for its directors, employees or their dependents;

 

(ii)the contributions payable to any such scheme(s) or to the benefits which accrue or to the pensions which are payable thereunder;

 

(iii)the basis on which qualification for, or accrual or entitlement to, such benefits or pensions are calculated or determined; or

 

(iv)the basis upon which the liabilities (including pensions) of such pension schemes are funded, valued or made;

 

(o)proposed, agreed to provide or modified the terms of any share option scheme, incentive scheme or other benefit plans relating to the employment or termination of employment of any person employed by the Wider Sky Group and in each case which is material in the context of the Wider Sky Group taken as a whole; or

 

(p)having taken (or agreed or proposed to take) any action which requires, or would require, the consent of the Panel or the approval of Sky Shareholders in a general meeting in accordance with, or as contemplated by, Rule 21.1 of the City Code,

 

and, for the purposes of paragraphs ‎(c), ‎(d), ‎(e) and ‎(f) of this condition, the term Sky Group shall mean Sky and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

No adverse change, litigation or regulatory enquiry

 

18.Except as Disclosed, since 30 June 2017:

 

(a)no adverse change or deterioration having occurred in the business, assets, financial or trading position or profits or prospects of any member of the Wider Sky Group which is material in the context of the Wider Sky Group taken as a whole;

 

(b)no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or other legal proceedings to which any member of the Wider Sky Group is or may become a party (whether as a plaintiff, defendant or otherwise) and no investigation by any Third Party against or in respect of any member of the Wider Sky Group having been instituted announced or threatened by or against or remaining outstanding in respect of any member of the Wider Sky Group which is material in the context of the Wider Sky Group taken as a whole;

 

(c)no contingent or other liability having arisen or become apparent to Comcast which would be likely to materially and adversely affect any member of the Wider Sky Group, taken as a whole; and

 

(d)no steps having been taken which are likely to result in the withdrawal, cancellation, termination or modification of any licence held by any member of the Wider Sky Group which is necessary for the proper carrying on of its business.

 

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No discovery of certain matters

 

19.Save as Disclosed, Comcast not having discovered:

 

(a)that any financial, business or other information concerning the Wider Sky Group as contained in the information publicly disclosed at any time by or on behalf of any member of the Wider Sky Group is materially misleading, contains a material misrepresentation of fact or omits to state a fact necessary to make that information not materially misleading;

 

(b)that any member of the Wider Sky Group partnership, company or other entity in which any member of the Wider Sky Group has a significant economic interest and which is not a subsidiary undertaking of Sky is subject to any liability (contingent or otherwise) which is not disclosed in the annual report and accounts of Sky for the year ended 30 June 2017; or

 

(c)any information which affects the import of any information disclosed at any time by or on behalf of any member of the Wider Sky Group and which is material in the context of the Wider Sky Group.

 

20.Comcast not having discovered that:

 

(a)any past or present member of the Wider Sky Group has failed to comply with any and/or all applicable legislation or regulation, of any jurisdiction with regard to the storage, carriage, disposal, spillage, release, discharge, leak or emission of any waste or hazardous substance or any substance likely to impair the environment or harm human health or animal health or otherwise relating to environmental matters or the health and safety of humans, or that there has otherwise been any such storage, carriage, disposal, spillage, release, discharge, leak or emission (whether or not the same constituted a non-compliance by any person with any such legislation or regulations, and wherever the same may have taken place) any of which storage, carriage, disposal, spillage, release, discharge, leak or emission would be likely to give rise to any liability (actual or contingent) on the part of any member of the Wider Sky Group;

 

(b)there is, or is likely to be, for that or any other reason whatsoever, any liability (actual or contingent) of any past or present member of the Wider Sky Group to make good, repair, reinstate or clean up any property now or previously owned, occupied, operated or made use of or controlled by any such past or present member of the Wider Sky Group, under any environmental legislation, regulation, notice, circular or order of any government, governmental, quasi-governmental, state or local government, supranational, statutory or other regulatory body, agency, court, association or any other person or body in any jurisdiction.

 

Anti-corruption, sanctions and criminal property

 

21.Save as Disclosed, Comcast not having discovered that:

 

(a)(i) any past or present member, director, officer or employee of the Wider Sky Group is or has at any time engaged in any activity, practice or conduct which would constitute an offence under the Bribery Act 2010, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any other applicable anti-corruption legislation or (ii) any person that performs or has performed services for or on behalf of the Wider Sky Group is or has at any time engaged in any activity, practice or conduct in connection with the performance of such services which would

 

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constitute an offence under the Bribery Act 2010, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any other applicable anti-corruption legislation; or

 

(b)any asset of any member of the Wider Sky Group constitutes criminal property as defined by Section 340(3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (but disregarding paragraph (b) of that definition); or

 

(c)any past or present member, director, officer or employee of the Sky Group, or any other person for whom any such person may be liable or responsible, has engaged in any business with, made any investments in, made any funds or assets available to or received any funds or assets from: (i) any government, entity or individual in respect of which U.S. or European Union persons, or persons operating in those territories, are prohibited from engaging in activities or doing business, or from receiving or making available funds or economic resources, by U.S. or European Union laws or regulations, including the economic sanctions administered by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control, or HM Treasury in the UK; or (ii) any government, entity or individual targeted by any of the economic sanctions of the United Nations, the United States, the European Union or any of its member states; or

 

(d)any member of the Sky Group is or has been engaged in any transaction which would cause Comcast to be in breach of any law or regulation upon Comcast’s acquisition of Sky, including the economic sanctions of the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control, or HM Treasury in the UK, or any government, entity or individual targeted by any of the economic sanctions of the United Nations, the United States, the European Union or any of its member states.

 

Part 2      Waiver and Invocation of the Pre-Conditions and Conditions

 

Comcast reserves the right to waive, in whole or in part, all or any of the Pre-Conditions in Appendix I of this Announcement or the Conditions in ‎Part 1 above, except for Condition ‎1 (Acceptance Condition) and Condition ‎11 (FCA Regulatory Condition) which cannot be waived. Once the Pre-Conditions have been satisfied (or waived, as applicable), the Acquisition will be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, if permitted) of the Conditions in ‎Part 1 above, and to certain further terms set out in ‎Part 3 below, and to the full terms and conditions which will be set out in the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance. In the event that any or all of the Pre-Conditions are waived (rather than satisfied), they will remain as Conditions to the Acquisition, such Conditions being substantially in the form set out in paragraphs ‎‎2, ‎‎3, ‎‎5 and ‎‎6 (inclusive) of ‎Part 1 of Appendix II to this Announcement.

 

The Acquisition shall lapse unless all of the Conditions have been fulfilled or, where permitted, waived or, where appropriate, have been determined by Comcast to be or remain satisfied, by midnight (London time) on the 21st day after the later of (i) the first closing date of the Offer; and (ii) the date on which the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances (or, in each case, such later date as Comcast may determine, with the consent of the Panel).

 

Comcast shall be under no obligation to waive or treat as satisfied any of the Pre-Conditions or Conditions which are capable of waiver by a date earlier than the latest date specified above for the fulfilment or waiver thereof, notwithstanding that the other Pre-Conditions or Conditions to the Acquisition may at such earlier date have been waived or fulfilled and that there are at such earlier date no circumstances indicating that any of such Pre-Conditions or Conditions may not be capable of fulfilment.

 

If the Pre-Condition set out in:

 

1.paragraph 1 or 3 (European Commission or CMA clearance) is waived, the Offer will lapse if: (i) after the point at which the Pre-Condition is waived, the European

 

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Commission either initiates Phase 2 proceedings in respect of the Acquisition; or (ii) the European Commission makes a referral to a competent authority of the United Kingdom under Article 9(1) of the Regulation and, after the point at which the Pre-Condition is waived, the CMA then initiates a Phase 2 CMA Reference in respect of the Acquisition; and

 

2.paragraphs 2 or 4 (Secretary of State clearance) is waived, the Offer will lapse if, after the point at which the Pre-Condition is waived, a Phase 2 CMA Reference is initiated in respect of the Acquisition,

 

in each case before the later of 1.00pm on the first closing date of the Offer as specified in the Offer Document or the date when the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances.

 

If Comcast is required by the Panel to make an offer for Sky Shares under the provisions of Rule 9 of the City Code, Comcast may make such alterations to the Pre-Conditions and Conditions as are necessary to comply with the provisions of that Rule.

 

Part 3      Certain further terms of the Acquisition

 

The availability of the Acquisition to persons not resident in the UK may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions. Persons who are not resident in the UK should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements. Sky Shareholders who are in any doubt about such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.

 

This Acquisition will be governed by English law and be subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts and to the Pre-Conditions, Conditions and terms set out in this Announcement and in due course in the formal Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance. The Acquisition will comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the Financial Conduct Authority and the London Stock Exchange and the City Code.

 

Each of the Pre-Conditions and Conditions shall be regarded as a separate Pre-Condition or Condition, as applicable, and shall not be limited by reference to any other Pre-Condition or Condition.

 

If the Acquisition lapses for any reason, the Acquisition will cease to be capable of further acceptance, and Comcast and accepting Sky Shareholders will cease to be bound by acceptances of the Acquisition delivered on or before the time when the Acquisition lapses.

 

Sky Shares which will be acquired under the Acquisition will be acquired fully paid and free from all liens, equities, charges, encumbrances, options, rights of pre-emption and any other third party rights and interests of any nature and together with all rights now or hereafter attaching or accruing to them, including voting rights and the right to receive and retain in full all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid on or after the Effective Date.

 

If any dividend, and/or other distribution and/or other return of capital is announced, declared, paid or becomes payable in respect of the Sky Shares on or after the date of this Announcement and prior to the date on which Comcast (or its nominee) is entered into the register of members of Sky following the Effective Date, other than the Final Dividend (as defined below), Comcast reserves the right to reduce the Cash Consideration by some or all of the amount of any such dividend (or other distribution or return of capital), provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that any Final Dividend exceeds 21.8p per Sky Share, Comcast shall have the right to reduce the amount of the Cash Consideration by some or all of the amount of such excess (and not by the full amount of such final dividend), and in which case the relevant eligible Sky Shareholder will be entitled to receive and retain such dividend and/or distribution and/or return of capital. In such case, any reference in this Announcement or the Offer Document to the Cash Consideration

 

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for the Sky Shares will be deemed to be a reference to the Cash Consideration as so reduced. To the extent that such a dividend and/or distribution and/or other return of capital is declared, made or paid and is or shall be: (i) transferred pursuant to the Acquisition on a basis which entitles Comcast to receive the dividend or distribution or return of capital and to retain it; or (ii) cancelled, the Cash Consideration payable shall not be subject to change in accordance with this paragraph. For these purposes, “Final Dividend” means any final dividend in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2018 up to an amount of 21.8p per Sky Share which is declared and paid prior to the Effective Date.

 

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Appendix III

 

sky share plans

 

1.Appropriate Proposals

 

1.1Subject to applicable confidentiality, legal and regulatory requirements, Comcast intends to request from Sky such details in relation to the Sky Share Plans as Comcast may reasonably require in order to make appropriate proposals to the participants in the Sky Share Plans, as provided for in Rule 15 of the City Code (the “Proposals”), including the proposals as set out in paragraphs ‎2.2 and ‎3 to ‎5 of this Appendix III below. Comcast intends that the Proposals will take the form of a joint proposal from Sky and Comcast to participants in the Sky Share Plans.

 

2.Treatment of Share Plans

 

2.1Comcast acknowledges that where any of the Sky Share Plans provides for the exercise of discretion (including in respect of performance measures), the exercise of any such discretion shall be a matter solely for the Sky Remuneration Committee. However, Comcast’s intention is that the treatment of options under the Sky Share Plans shall be as set out in paragraphs ‎2.2 and ‎3 to ‎5 of this Appendix III below.

 

Sky Long-Term Incentive Plans (including the Co-Investment Plans)

 

2.2Comcast notes Sky’s stated intention that, should the 21CF Offer complete before the end of any applicable performance period, it will satisfy options outstanding under the Sky 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Sky Management Long-Term Incentive Plan on a time pro-rated basis with no performance conditions attached and options granted following the announcement of the 21CF Offer will be cash-settled. Comcast accordingly intends the Proposals to provide that, to the extent possible and/or applicable, options under the Sky 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Sky Management Long-Term Incentive Plan will become exercisable immediately on the Effective Date and remain exercisable for three months from the Effective Date (or such other period as may be specified in the rules of the scheme), options which vest and are exercised as a result of the Offer and in accordance with the Proposals set out below, are satisfied on a cash-settled, time pro-rated basis with no performance conditions attached.

 

3.UK Sharesave Schemes

 

3.1The Proposals to participants in the Sky Sharesave Scheme and the Sky 2013 Sharesave Scheme will take the form of participants’ options becoming exercisable immediately on the Effective Date, with such options remaining exercisable for six months from the Effective Date (or such other period as may be specified in the rules of the scheme), to the extent of the participants’ accrued savings and interest (if any) under the linked savings arrangements.

 

Compensation payment

 

3.2Comcast agrees that Sky may make an additional payment to each participant in the Sky Sharesave Scheme and the Sky 2013 Sharesave Scheme (provided that such participants exercise their options as a result of the Offer to the fullest extent possible, with the result that the remainder of their options lapse) equal to (i) the difference between the Cash Consideration per Sky Share and the exercise price per share of the participant’s option; multiplied by (ii) the number of Sky Shares under the proportion of the option which lapses. The payment will be made subject to deduction and withholding for income tax and social security (or similar) contributions arising in respect of such payment.

 

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Exchange of options

 

3.3Comcast agrees to work with Sky to determine the extent to which participants holding options under the Sky Sharesave Scheme and the Sky 2013 Sharesave Scheme shall be offered the ability, as of the Effective Date, to exchange such options for equivalent options over Comcast shares. The number of Comcast shares that would be obtainable under any such replacement option would have equivalent value to the Sky Shares obtainable under the existing option.

 

4.Irish Sharesave Schemes

 

4.1The Proposals to participants in the Sky 2005 Irish Sharesave Scheme and the Sky 2016 Irish Sharesave Scheme will take the form of participants’ options becoming exercisable on the Effective Date, with such options remaining exercisable for six months from the Effective Date (or such other period as may be specified in the rules of the scheme), to the extent of the participants’ accrued savings and interest (if any) under the linked savings arrangements.

 

Compensation payment

 

4.2Comcast agrees that Sky may make an additional payment to each participant in the Sky 2005 Irish Sharesave Scheme and the Sky 2016 Irish Sharesave Scheme (provided that such participants exercise their options as a result of the Offer to the fullest extent possible, with the result that the remainder of their options lapse) equal to (i) the difference between the Cash Consideration per Sky Share and the exercise price per share of the participant’s option; multiplied by (ii) the number of Sky Shares under the proportion of the option which lapses. The payment will be made subject to deduction and withholding for income tax and social security (or similar) contributions arising in respect of such payment.

 

Exchange of options

 

4.3Comcast agrees to work with Sky to determine the extent to which participants holding options under the Sky 2005 Irish Sharesave Scheme and the Sky 2016 Irish Sharesave Scheme shall be offered the ability, as of the Effective Date, to exchange such options for equivalent options over Comcast shares. The number of Comcast shares that would be obtainable under any such replacement option would have equivalent value to the Sky Shares obtainable under the existing option.

 

5.International Sharesave Scheme

 

5.1The Proposals to participants in the Sky 2015 International Sharesave Scheme will take the form of participants’ options becoming exercisable immediately upon the Effective Date, with such options remaining exercisable for six months from the Effective Date (or such other period as may be specified in the rules of the scheme), to the extent of the participants’ accrued savings under the linked savings arrangements. Comcast proposes that options under the Sky 2015 International Sharesave Scheme which are exercised in connection with the Offer, to the extent possible, are cash-settled.

 

Compensation payment

 

5.2Comcast agrees that Sky may make an additional payment to each participant in the Sky 2015 International Sharesave Scheme (provided that such participants exercise their options as a result of the Offer to the fullest extent possible, with the result that the remainder of their options lapse) equal to (i) the difference between the Cash Consideration per Sky Share and the exercise price per share of the participant’s option; multiplied by (ii) the number of Sky Shares under the proportion of the option which

 

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lapses. The payment will be made subject to deduction and withholding for income tax and social security (or similar) contributions arising in respect of such payment.

 

6.Employee Trust

 

6.1Comcast agrees that Sky may recommend to the trustee of the Sky Employee Share Ownership Plan that the trustee will, in priority to the issue of Sky Shares by Sky, use the Sky Shares comprised in the trust fund to satisfy any exercise of options which occur following the date of this Announcement.

 

6.2In light of Comcast’s proposals in paragraphs 2.2 and 5.1 to cash settle options which are exercised in connection with the Offer to the extent possible, Sky has agreed that the trustee of the Sky Employee Share Ownership Plan will not be required to purchase any further Sky Shares.

 

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Appendix IV

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND BASES OF CALCULATION

 

In this Announcement, unless otherwise stated, or the context otherwise requires, the following bases and sources have been used:

 

1.The historical financial information relating to the Sky Group has been extracted or derived (without material adjustment) from the Annual Report for Sky for the financial year ended 30 June 2017, the interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2017 and the interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2016.

 

2.The historical financial information relating to the Comcast Group has been extracted or derived (without material adjustment) from the Annual Report for Comcast for the year ended 31 December 2017, and from Comcast’s internal records.

 

3.The synergy estimates are unaudited and are based on analysis by Comcast’s management and on Comcast’s internal records.

 

4.Other information relating to the Sky Group and the Comcast Group has been extracted or derived (without material adjustment) from public sources (except for paragraphs 5 and 6 of this Appendix IV).

 

5.Information provided by Sky states that, as at the close of business on 24 April 2018 (being the last Business Day prior to the date of this Announcement), Sky had in issue 1,719,017,230 ordinary shares, of which 1,162,577 are held in ESOP.

 

6.Any reference to the fully diluted share capital of Sky is based on:

 

(a)the 1,719,017,230 Sky Shares referred to in paragraph 5 above; and

 

(b)39,712,771 Sky Shares which may be issued on or after the date of this Announcement on the exercise of options or vesting of awards under the Sky Share Plans and net of the shares in ESOP.

 

7.Any reference to the value of the fully diluted share capital of Sky is based on the price of £12.50 per Sky Share.

 

8.Unless otherwise stated, all prices and Closing Prices for Sky Shares are closing middle market quotations derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List (SEDOL).

 

9.Pro-forma financial metrics, including Comcast’s synergy estimates, assume the acquisition of 100 per cent. of the Sky Shares.

 

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Appendix V

 

DEFINITIONS

 

21CF Co-operation Agreement means the agreement entered into on 15 December 2016 between 21st Century Fox and Sky and relating, amongst other things, to the implementation of the 21CF Offer;
   
21CF Offer means the pre-conditional offer by 21st Century Fox for the fully diluted share capital of Sky which 21st Century Fox and its affiliates do not own at an offer price of £10.75 for each Sky Share;
   
21st Century Fox means Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., a company incorporated in Delaware with registered office in 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036;
   
Acquisition means the proposed acquisition by Comcast (or its nominee(s), a wholly owned subsidiary of Comcast) of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Sky, to be implemented by means of the Offer as described in this Announcement and to be set out in the Offer Document;  
   
Adjusted EBITDA means the net income attributable to NBCUniversal before net income attributable to non-controlling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock, income tax benefit (expense), investment and other income (loss), net, interest expense, depreciation and amortisation expense, and other operating gains and losses (such as impairment charges related to fixed and intangible assets and gains or losses on the sale of long-lived assets), if any. From time to time, NBCUniversal may exclude from Adjusted EBITDA the impact of certain events, gains, losses or other charges (such as significant legal settlements) that affect the period-to-period comparability of our operating performance;
   
ADR means an American Depositary Receipt created pursuant to the deposit agreement between Sky and BNY dated 9 December 2002 and as amended and restated as of 28 May 2010 and trading on the over-the-counter market in the U.S.;
   
affiliates means in relation to a party, any person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the party, and for these purposes a party shall be deemed to control a person if such party possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the person, whether through the ownership of over 50 per cent. of the voting securities or the right to appoint over 50 per cent. of the relevant board of directors by contract or otherwise;
   
Announcement means this announcement made pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the City Code;
   
associated undertaking has the meaning given by paragraph 19 of Schedule 6 to the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than paragraph 19(1)(b) of

 

 

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  Schedule 6 to those Regulations which shall be excluded for this purpose;
   
BNY means the Bank of New York Mellon;
   
Business Day means a day, (other than a Saturday, Sunday, public or bank holiday) on which banks are generally open for business in London and New York;
   
Cash Consideration means the cash amount of £12.50 payable by Comcast under the Acquisition in respect of each Sky Share, as adjusted in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition as set out in this Announcement;
   
CAT means the Competition Appeal Tribunal;
   
City Code means the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers;
   
Closing Price means the closing middle market quotation of a share derived from the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange;
   
CMA means the Competition and Markets Authority;
   
Comcast means Comcast Corporation, a company incorporated in Pennsylvania with registered office in One Comcast Center, Philadelphia, PA 19103;
   
Comcast Group means Comcast and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings from time to time;
   
Companies Act means the Companies Act 2006;
   
Conditions means the conditions to the Acquisition set out in ‎Part 1 of Appendix II, to this Announcement;
   
Confidentiality Agreement means the confidentiality agreement entered into between Sky and Comcast, effective 6 March 2018;
   
Disclosed means the information which has been fairly disclosed (i) in the Annual Report and Accounts for Sky for the year ended 30 June 2017 or Sky’s interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2017, (ii) in any public announcement by Sky prior to the date of this Announcement by way of any Regulatory Information Service (including information the availability of which has been announced by way of any Regulatory Information Service), or (iii) in this Announcement;
   
Effective Date means the date on which such Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects;
   
Enlarged Group means enlarged group following completion of the Acquisition, comprising the Comcast Group and the Sky Group;
   
ESOP means the Sky Employee Share Ownership Plan, a trust which was established to satisfy awards made to participants of Sky’s employee share plans;

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EU Merger Regulation means Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 of 20 January 2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings;
   
FCA means the Financial Conduct Authority;
   
Form of Acceptance means the form of acceptance to accept the Offer;
   
FSMA means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;
   
London Stock Exchange means London Stock Exchange plc;
   
Ofcom means the UK Office of Communications;
   
Offer means the offer to be made by or on behalf of Comcast, or an affiliate thereof, to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Sky including, where the context admits, any subsequent revision, variation, extension or renewal of such offer;
   
Offer Document means the document to be dispatched to Sky Shareholders containing (among other things) the terms and conditions of the Offer;
   
Offer Period means the period commencing on 27 February 2018 and ending on the earlier of the date on which the Offer becomes or has been declared unconditional as to acceptances and/or the date on which the Offer lapses or is withdrawn (or such other date as the Panel may decide);
   
Official List means the official list maintained by the UK Listing Authority pursuant to Part 6 of FSMA;
   
Opening Position Disclosure means an announcement containing details of interests or short positions in, or rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of a party to the offer if the person concerned has such a position, as defined in Rule 8 of the City Code;
   
Overseas Shareholders means Sky Shareholders who are resident in, ordinarily resident in, or citizens of, jurisdictions outside the UK;
   
Panel means the UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers;
   
Phase 2 CMA Reference means a reference to the chair of the CMA for the constitution of a group under Schedule 4 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013;
   
Post-Offer Undertaking the post-offer undertakings intended to be given by Comcast and Sky described in paragraph 5(A) of this Announcement;
   
Pre-Conditions means the pre-conditions to the Acquisition, as set out in Appendix I;
   
Regulation means the Council Regulation (EC) 139/2004 (as amended);
   
Relevant Authority means any central bank, ministry, governmental, quasigovernmental, supranational (including the European Union), statutory, regulatory or investigative body, authority or

 

 

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  tribunal (including any national or supranational antitrust, competition or merger control authority, any sectoral ministry or regulator and any foreign investment review body), national, state, municipal or local government (including any subdivision, court, tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other authority thereof), any entity owned or controlled by them, any private body exercising any regulatory, taxing, importing or other authority, trade agency, association, institution or professional or environmental body in any jurisdiction;
   
Restricted Jurisdiction means any jurisdiction where local laws or regulations may result in a significant risk of civil, regulatory or criminal exposure if information concerning the Acquisition is sent or made available to Sky Shareholders in that jurisdiction;
   
Secretary of State has the meaning given to it in the Enterprise Act 2002;
   
significant interest means a direct or indirect interest in ten per cent. or more of the equity share capital (as defined in the Companies Act);
   
Sky means Sky plc, incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 02247735;
   
Sky ADR Holders means the holders of Sky ADRs;
   
Sky ADRs means the ADRs each evidencing four Sky Shares in the capital of Sky;
   
Sky Group means Sky and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings (unless otherwise stated);
   
Sky Independent Committee means the committee of independent directors of Sky formed in connection with the 21CF Offer announced on 15 December 2016 and at the time of this Announcement comprising six independent non-executive directors, Martin Gilbert (Deputy Chairman), Andrew Sukawaty (Senior Independent Director), Tracy Clark, Adine Grate, Matthieu Pigasse and Katrin Wehr-Seiter, and two executive directors, Jeremy Darroch and Andrew Griffith;
   
Sky News Board means the editorial board of Sky News to be established no later than three months after the Effective Date, as described in paragraph 5(A)(d) of this Announcement;
   
Sky Shareholders means the holders of Sky Shares from time to time;
   
Sky Share Plans means the Sky 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporating the Co-Investment Plan), the Sky Management Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporating the Management Co-Investment Plan) and the Sky Sharesave Schemes;
   
Sky Shares means the ordinary shares of 50 pence each in the capital of Sky;
   
Sky Sharesave Schemes means the Sky Sharesave Scheme, the Sky 2013 Sharesave Scheme, the Sky 2005 Irish Sharesave Scheme, the Sky 2016

  

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  Irish Sharesave Scheme and the Sky 2015 International Sharesave Scheme;
   
subsidiary has the meaning given in Section 1159 of the Companies Act;
   
subsidiary undertaking has the meaning given to it in Section 1162 of the Companies Act;
   
UK” or “United Kingdom means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
   
UK Listing Authority means the FCA as the authority for listing in the UK when it is exercising its powers under Part 6 of FSMA;
   
undertaking has the meaning given to it in Section 1161 of the Companies Act;
   
U.S. means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any state of the United States of America and the District of Columbia;
   
Wider Comcast Group means Comcast and its subsidiary undertakings, associated undertakings and any other undertaking in which Comcast and/or such undertakings (aggregating their interests) have a significant interest; and
   
Wider Sky Group means Sky and its subsidiary undertakings, associated undertakings and any other undertaking in which Sky and/or such undertakings (aggregating their interests) have a significant interest.

 

All references to GBP, pence, Sterling, Pounds sterling, p or £ are to the lawful currency of the United Kingdom. All references to USD, dollar or $ are to the lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

All references to statutory provision or law or to any order or regulation shall be construed as a reference to that provision, law, order or regulation as extended, modified, replaced or re-enacted from time to time and all statutory instruments, regulations and orders from time to time made thereunder or deriving validity therefrom.

 

All the times referred to in this Announcement are London times unless otherwise stated. References to the singular include the plural and vice versa.

 

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