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EXHIBIT 10.7(c)
LETTER AGREEMENT
AUGUST 13, 1996
We agree as follows.
1. DECEMBER 8 LETTER AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the
other agreements delivered in connection herewith, amend, replace and supersede
in its entirety our Letter Agreement of December 8, 1995, as it has been amended
to date.
2. JULY 1995 TRANSACTION. The number of shares of On Command Video
Corporation ("OCV")common stock issued to Ascent Network Services, Inc.,
formerly known as COMSAT Video Enterprises, Inc.("CVE") pursuant to the
Contribution Agreement dated August 1, 1995 (the "CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT")
(1,878,624 shares, as previously adjusted to reflect an inventory adjustment)
will be immediately reduced to 1,408,036 by a cancellation of 470,588 shares,
reflecting a share value for OCV at the time of $42.50 and a value of
$59,841,526 for the contributed assets net of the inventory adjustment.
3. OPTION PRICE INCREASE DATE; EXTENSION. In consideration of the
acknowledgement by Hilton Hotels Corporation ("HILTON") that Hilton has been
given notice of (i) the issuances for cash of OCV Common Stock set forth on
EXHIBIT A hereto and (ii) the issuance of OCV Common Stock in connection with
the Contribution Agreement, Hilton hereby confirms, only with respect to such
issuances, that Hilton has elected not to exercise its preemptive right set
forth in Section 5.4 of the July 7, 1993 Purchase and Option Agreement between
OCV and Hilton (as amended, the "PURCHASE AND OPTION AGREEMENT").
4. FUTURE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN OCV AND COMSAT AND ANY OF ITS
AFFILIATES. Any material transactions in the future between OCV and CVE or any
of its affiliates (or any successor direct or indirect majority shareholder of
OCV) will be subject to the fiduciary duties of Ascent Entertainment Group, Inc.
("ASCENT") and CVE, or any such successor, as the direct and indirect majority
shareholders of OCV, including, where necessary or appropriate, the advice of
independent counsel and, to the extent the independent directors and independent
counsel deem necessary or appropriate, independent financial experts. The
parties agree that it is not necessary to retain independent counsel for OCV,
other than Wilson, Sonsini, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, and consent to the retention of
Xxxx Xxxxxx Partners ("XXXXXX") on behalf of Ascent and OCV, in connection with
the recently announced transaction between SpectraVision and OCV (the
"TRANSACTION"). The parties further agree that no independent financial experts
other than Xxxxxx should be retained to represent OCV separately with respect to
such Transaction. The agreements in the preceding two sentences assume the
absence of material conflicts of interest in the Transaction between OCV on the
one hand and Ascent and its affiliates on the other hand, and that all material
facts with respect to such conflicts and the Transaction have been disclosed to
Hilton and OCV's Board of
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Directors. The covenants set forth in this paragraph shall expire upon the sale
or disposition by Hilton of all or substantially all of its shares of OCV common
stock or securities into which they are converted.
5. LIQUIDITY.
(a) RIGHT TO SELL. An investment banker selected by Hilton will,
if Hilton requests and at Hilton's expense, be engaged to attempt to locate a
buyer for Hilton's equity interests in OCV at fair market value (based on an
enterprise theory of valuation). If Hilton so requests, all of the parties
hereto agree to cooperate in respect of such sales efforts. The Right of First
Refusal Agreement is terminated as to Hilton and any assignee of its rights;
provided, however, that no sale may be made to any party that is a competitor of
OCV in hotel video services. If Ascent directly or indirectly disposes of all or
any portion of its interests in OCV to any person that is not an affiliate of
OCV, Hilton will be afforded an opportunity to dispose of a pro rata portion of
its position in OCV on the same terms.
(b) SPECTRAVISION. Hilton has received the briefing paper and
other materials supplied to the OCV Board of Directors in connection with an
August 12, 1996 meeting, subsequently rescheduled to September 4, 1996 and,
based upon such information, Hilton is favorably disposed to support the
Transaction. Concurrently with the consummation of the Transaction (the
"TRANSACTION CLOSING TIME"), unless Hilton's OCV shares (or the securities into
which such shares are converted) (including the securities issuable upon
exercise of Hilton's option, together the "HH SHARES") are registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "EXCHANGE ACT") and freely tradeable under
applicable securities laws, Hilton will be granted, demand and piggyback
registration rights no less favorable than as described on page 42 of On Command
Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 16, 1996, to enable Hilton to register, at OCV's
expense, the HH Shares for sale without restriction. Hilton agrees that if OCV
Common Stock or securities into which it is converted is registered under the
Exchange Act in connection with the Transaction and the HH Shares are freely
tradeable, a "QUALIFYING OFFERING" under Section 2.2 of the Purchase and Option
Agreement shall be deemed to have occurred as of the Transaction Closing Time
and (i) all of OCV's obligations under Section 5 of the Purchase and Option
Agreement shall terminate, and (ii) Hilton's option to purchase OCV Common Stock
will terminate as of the Transaction Closing Time unless exercised by then, if
Hilton has received the notice contemplated by Section 2.2. OCV acknowledges
that Hilton's notice of exercise in the form attached as EXHIBIT C will comply
(subject to Hilton making the payments thereunder) with the Purchase and Option
Agreement.
(c) PUT RIGHT. If in connection with the Transaction Hilton's
option will terminate by virtue of the terms of the Purchase and Option
Agreement, and Hilton exercises such option and purchases any or all of the
shares of OCV Common Stock subject thereto (together with all securities into
which such shares may be converted, the "OPTION SHARES"), Hilton and Ascent
agree as follows. On or prior to the date 90 days after the Transaction Closing
Time (the "HH NOTICE
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DATE"), Hilton may give notice to Ascent requesting Ascent to purchase all, but
not less than all, of the Option Shares which Hilton still owns at the HH Notice
Date, and within five (5) business days after the HH Notice Date Ascent shall
purchase all such Option Shares at an aggregate price equal to Hilton's purchase
price of the Option Shares still owned by Hilton. Ascent represents and warrants
that it has, and will keep readily available, sufficient funds (including
borrowing capacity) to enable it to meet its obligations in this Section 5(c).
Both parties agree to act in good faith with respect to the rights and
obligations contained in the preceding sentences and not take any actions which
could reasonably be expected to artificially affect the market for the
securities subject to such rights and obligations; provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not limit Hilton's actions in connection with (i) lawful sales
of any securities it owns or (ii) other contracts with OCV.
(d) OTHER LIQUIDITY OBLIGATIONS. If the Transaction is not
consummated, Ascent and OCV will use their best efforts to provide Hilton and
the other minority shareholders of OCV, in a voluntary transaction, with
liquidity for their interests in OCV reflecting fair market value (based on an
enterprise theory of valuation). Ascent and COMSAT Corporation ("COMSAT") shall
support OCV's efforts, provided that such support shall not include any
obligation on the part of either of them to purchase any such interests for
their own accounts, or to agree to any actions on the part of OCV that could
reasonably be expected to cause COMSAT to exceed any of the regulatory debt
limitations imposed on COMSAT by the Federal Communications Commission (the
"FCC").
6. FEES AND EXPENSES. Hilton will immediately be paid $180,000
by OCV in reimbursement of Hilton's approximate fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the matters culminating in the December 8, 1995 Letter Agreement
and subsequent related matters leading to this Agreement.
7. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. This Agreement is specifically
enforceable. This agreement is governed by California law, without regard to
conflicts of law principles, but such election shall have no effect on the law
governing other transactions with OCV. No presumption of construction will exist
against the drafter of this Agreement, and the provisions of statutes or
applicable principles of law to the contrary are waived. In any legal
proceedings relating to this Agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to
recover, in addition to any other appropriate relief, legal fees and costs. The
parties agree that for and in consideration of the covenants and obligations set
forth in this Agreement, upon the completion of the adjustments and payments
referred to in Sections 2 and 6, the parties shall enter into a Mutual Release
in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT B. Except as expressly set forth herein
and in the Mutual Release (when it is executed), no party is waiving or
releasing any right or remedy. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to
constitute a guaranty by COMSAT of the performance obligation of OCV, CVE or
Ascent, but while it is directly or indirectly the controlling stockholder of
Ascent or OCV it will support Ascent's and OCV's compliance with the terms
hereof and take no actions that would prevent Ascent's or OCV's compliance,
provided that such support shall not include any obligation
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on the part of COMSAT to agree to any actions on the part of Ascent or OCV which
could reasonably be expected to cause COMSAT to exceed any of the regulatory
debt limitations imposed on COMSAT by the FCC.
HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION ASCENT ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.
By:_________________________ By:____________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
COMSAT CORPORATION ASCENT NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
By:___________________________ By:_____________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
ON COMMAND VIDEO CORPORATION
By:_____________________________
Name:
Title:
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EXHIBIT A TO LETTER AGREEMENT
COMMON STOCK ISSUANCES
OCV TO CVE
JULY 8, 1993 TO PRESENT
December 1993 416,667 shares @ $30.00 per share
March 1994 384,616 shares @ $32.50 per share
June 1994 357,143 shares @ $35.00 per share
July 1994 333,334 shares @ $37.50 per share
Exhibit A - 1
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EXHIBIT B TO LETTER AGREEMENT
MUTUAL RELEASE
Hilton Hotels Corporation ("HILTON"), On Common Video Corporation
("OCV"), Ascent Entertainment Group, Inc. ("ASCENT"), Ascent Network Services,
Inc. (formerly COMSAT Video Enterprises, Inc. "ANS") and COMSAT Corporation
("COMSAT"), for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, covenant and agree as follows:
1. RELEASE BY HILTON. Hilton, on behalf of itself and its affiliates,
directors, officers, employees, successors and assigns, hereby fully releases
and discharges each of OCV, Ascent, ANS and COMSAT, and their respective
affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, and each of their respective
successors and assigns, from and against any and all claims, demands,
obligations, actions, liabilities, causes of action or damages of any kind or
nature whatsoever, in law or in equity, arising at or prior to the date of this
Mutual Release, based upon any act or omission or otherwise arising out of or
related to the contribution of assets by ANS to OCV pursuant to the Contribution
Agreement dated August 1, 1995 (the "CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT"), the valuation of
such assets, the issuance of common stock by OCV to ANS in connection with such
contribution or pursuant to the purchases by ANS listed on EXHIBIT A hereto and
the initial public offering by Ascent of its common stock in December 1995.
2. RELEASE BY OCV, ASCENT, ANS AND COMSAT. Each of OCV, Ascent, ANS and
COMSAT, on behalf of themselves and their respective affiliates, directors,
officers, employees, agents, and each of their respective successors and
assigns, hereby fully releases and discharges Hilton, and its affiliates,
directors, officers, employees, successors and assigns, from and against any and
all claims, demands, obligations, actions, liabilities, causes of action or
damages of every kind or nature whatsoever, in law or in equity, arising at or
prior to the date of this Mutual Release, based upon any act or omission or
otherwise arising out of or related to the contribution of assets by ANS to OCV
pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the valuation of such assets, the
issuance of common stock by OCV to ANS in connection with such contribution or
pursuant to the purchases by ANS listed on EXHIBIT A hereto, Hilton's assertion
of its rights as a securityholder of OCV, and Hilton's challenges to the IPO.
3. AUGUST 13, 1996 AGREEMENT UNAFFECTED. This Mutual Release is not
intended to release, nor does it release, Hilton, OCV, Ascent, ANS or COMSAT
from any obligations or liabilities other than as set forth in Sections 1 and 2
above and, specifically, shall not constitute a release of: (a) any obligations
they may owe to each other under the agreements among them dated as of August
13, 1996 (the "1996 AGREEMENTS"); (b) liabilities or claims for any breach of
the 1996 Agreements; or (c) any rights or remedies they have under any other
contracts or agreements between or among any of them.
Exhibit B - 1
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4. NO ADMISSION. It is specifically stated and understood that none of
Hilton, OCV, Ascent, ANS or COMSAT hereby admit any liability or culpability of
any nature, any and all such liability or culpability being expressly denied.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned duly authorized officers have
executed this Mutual Release as of September __, 1996.
HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION ASCENT ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.
_________________________ _______________________________
NAME: NAME:
TITLE: TITLE:
COMSAT CORPORATION ON COMMAND VIDEO CORPORATION
_________________________ _______________________________
NAME: NAME:
TITLE: TITLE:
ASCENT NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
________________________________
NAME:
TITLE:
Exhibit B - 2
