EXECUTION COPY
PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
by and among
BCI TELECOM HOLDING INC.,
BTH (U.S. CABLE) LIMITED,
BTH (INTERCABLE) LIMITED
and
COMCAST CORPORATION
OPTION AGREEMENT
INDEX
Page
ARTICLE I SALE AND PURCHASE..................................................2
Section 1.1. Purchase and Sale......................................2
Section 1.2. Purchase Price.........................................2
ARTICLE II EFFECTIVE TIME....................................................3
Section 2.1. Effective Time.........................................3
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BTH............................3
Section 3.1. Organization and Standing..............................3
Section 3.2. Ownership of the Class A Shares........................4
Section 3.3. Capitalization.........................................4
Section 3.4. No Other Investments; No Liabilities...................5
Section 3.5. Corporate Power and Authority..........................6
Section 3.6. Conflicts; Consents and Approvals......................6
Section 3.7. Brokerage and Finder's Fees; Expenses..................7
Section 3.8. Shareholders Agreement and Option Agreements...........7
Section 3.9. Transactions with Affiliates and Xxxxx.................8
Section 3.10. Status of the Company.................................8
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMCAST.........................8
Section 4.1. Organization and Standing..............................8
Section 4.2. Corporate Power and Authority..........................9
Section 4.3. Conflicts; Consents and Approvals......................9
Section 4.4. Brokerage and Finder's Fees; Expenses..................9
Section 4.5. Investment Purpose...................................10
Section 4.6. Transactions with Xxxxx..............................10
ARTICLE V CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF COMCAST AT THE INITIAL CLOSING
AND THE FINAL CLOSING.......................................................10
Section 5.1. Litigation: No Opposition.............................10
Section 5.2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants.............10
Section 5.3. Approvals.............................................11
Section 5.4. Other Deliveries......................................11
Section 5.5. HSR Act...............................................12
Section 5.6. Material Adverse Change...............................12
Section 5.7. Litigation............................................12
Section 5.8. Status of the Company.................................12
ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF BTH AND THE
BTH SUBSIDIARIES AT THE INITIAL CLOSING AND THE FINAL
CLOSING.....................................................................13
Section 6.1. Litigation: No Opposition.............................13
Section 6.2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants.............13
Section 6.3. Approvals.............................................13
Section 6.4. Other Deliveries......................................14
Section 6.5. HSR Act...............................................14
ARTICLE VII COVENANTS.......................................................14
Section 7.1. [Intentionally left blank]............................14
Section 7.2. [Intentionally left blank]............................14
Section 7.3. Consultation with Comcast.............................14
Section 7.4. Prohibited Transaction................................16
Section 7.5. Exercise of the Control Option........................17
Section 7.6. Litigation............................................17
Section 7.7. Covenant Not to Take Certain Actions..................18
Section 7.8. [Intentionally Omitted]...............................18
Section 7.9. Covenant to Act in Good Faith.........................18
Section 0.00.Xxx Matters...........................................19
Section 7.11.Other Agreements......................................19
Section 7.12.Updates...............................................20
ARTICLE VIII CLOSINGS.......................................................21
Section 8.1. Initial Closing.......................................21
Section 8.2. Deliveries at the Initial Closing.....................21
Section 8.3. Final Closing.........................................21
Section 8.4. Deliveries at the Final Closing.......................22
Section 8.5. Conditions to Final Closing of Comcast................22
Section 8.6. Conditions of BCE and BTH to the Final Closing........25
Section 8.7. [Intentionally omitted]...............................26
Section 8.8. Alternative Final Closing Procedures..................26
ARTICLE IX TERMINATION......................................................28
Section 9.1. Termination...........................................28
Section 9.2. Effect Of Termination.................................29
Section 9.3. Right to Proceed......................................29
ARTICLE X RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS SUBSEQUENT TO CLOSING......................29
Section 10.1. Survival of Representations, Warranties and
Covenants............................................29
Section 10.2. Regulatory Filings...................................29
ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION..................................................30
Section 11.1. Indemnification by BCE...............................30
Section 11.2. Limitations on Indemnification by BCE................30
Section 11.3. Indemnification by Comcast...........................31
Section 11.4. Limitation on Indemnification by Comcast.............32
Section 11.5. Notice: Defense of Claims............................32
Section 11.6. No Right of Contribution.............................33
ARTICLE XII DEFINITIONS.....................................................33
ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS..................................................35
Section 13.1. Further Assurances...................................35
Section 13.2. Counting of Days.....................................35
Section 13.3. Fees and Expenses....................................35
Section 13.4. Dispute Resolution...................................36
Section 13.5. Waivers..............................................36
Section 13.6. Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction............36
Section 13.7. Notices..............................................37
Section 13.8. Entire Agreement.....................................38
Section 13.9. Assignability; Binding Effect........................38
Section 13.10. Captions and Gender.................................38
Section 13.11. Execution in Counterparts...........................39
Section 13.12. Amendments..........................................39
Section 13.13. Publicity and Disclosures...........................39
Section 13.14. Equitable Relief....................................39
Section 13.15. Severability........................................39
Section 13.16. Surety of Payment...................................39
Section 13.17. Miscellaneous.......................................39
TABLE OF DEFINED TERMS
49% Subsidiary Stock................................1
Affiliate..........................................33
Affiliate Stock.....................................1
Associate..........................................34
BCE................................................17
BCE Indemnification Cut-Off Date...................32
BCE Indemnified Parties............................31
BTH.................................................1
BTH Indemnified Party..............................31
BTH Subsidiaries....................................1
Claim..............................................34
Class A Shares......................................1
Class A Stock.......................................1
Comcast Indemnification Cut-Off Date...............30
Comcast Indemnified Parties........................30
Comcast Indemnified Party..........................30
Common Stock........................................1
Company.............................................1
Control Option......................................1
Control Option Agreements...........................1
Control Shares......................................1
Fee Letter..........................................2
Final Closing......................................21
Final Closing Date..................................2
Final Closing Payment...............................2
Final Purchase......................................2
Franchise..........................................34
Franchising Authority..............................34
Governmental Authority..............................7
HSR Act.............................................7
Initial Closing....................................21
Initial Closing Date................................2
Initial Closing Payment.............................2
Initial Purchase....................................2
Initial Shares......................................1
Intercable..........................................1
International.......................................1
JEC.................................................1
Xxxxx...............................................1
Xxxxx Companies.....................................1
Xxxxx Companies Shareholders Agreements............34
Xxxxx Sellers.......................................1
Xxxxx/BTH Agreements...............................34
Knowledge..........................................35
Litigation.........................................12
Losses.............................................30
Material Adverse Effect............................35
Notice of Preference...............................15
Payments...........................................35
Person.............................................35
Purchase Price......................................2
Purchased Assets....................................2
Remaining Subsidiary Stock..........................2
Required Percentage................................23
SEC.................................................7
Shareholders Agreement..............................1
Subsidiary Stock...................................35
Supply Services Agreement...........................2
Transfer...........................................35
US Cable............................................1
PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
This PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT by and among BCI Telecom Holding Inc., a
Canadian corporation f/k/a Xxxx Canada International Inc. (together with any
successor thereto permitted pursuant to the last sentence of Section 7.4,
"BTH"), BTH (U.S. Cable) Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation f/k/a
Xxxx Canada International BVI III Limited ("US Cable"), BTH (Intercable)
Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation f/k/a Xxxx Canada International
BVI VI Limited ("Intercable", and together with US Cable, the "BTH
Subsidiaries") and Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("Comcast"),
is entered into as of this 22nd day of May, 1998.
WHEREAS, US Cable is the record and beneficial owner of 12,782,500 shares
(the "Class A Shares") of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Class A Stock") of Xxxxx Intercable, Inc., a Colorado corporation (the
"Company"), and 2,410 shares of Class A Common Stock of Xxxxx Education Company,
a Colorado corporation ("JEC") and 747,500 shares of Class A Common Stock of
Xxxxx Entertainment Group Ltd., a Colorado corporation ("JEG" and, together with
JEC, the "Xxxxx Companies");
WHEREAS, Intercable, as assignee of BTH pursuant to that certain assignment
between Intercable and BTH, is party, through Bank of New York as its agent, to
certain Option Agreements with Xxxxx International, Ltd. ("International"),
Xxxxx Xxxxx Grantor Business Trust, Xxxxx Space Segment, Inc., Xxxxx Global
Group, Inc., Xxxxx Interdigital, Inc. and Xxxxx Entertainment Group, Ltd.
(collectively, the "Xxxxx Sellers"), all dated as of December 20, 1994 (the
"Control Option Agreements"), pursuant to which Intercable, as assignee of BTH
and through its agent, has the option (the "Control Option"), under certain
circumstances and subject to certain conditions, to purchase 2,878,151 shares
(as such number may be adjusted pursuant to the Control Option Agreements) (the
"Control Shares") of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the
"Common Stock") from the Xxxxx Sellers;
WHEREAS, US Cable, as assignee of BTH pursuant to that certain Assignment
Agreement, dated December 20, 1994 (the "Shareholders Agreement Assignment"),
between US Cable and BTH, is party to that certain Shareholders Agreement, dated
as of December 20, 1994, among Xxxxx X. Xxxxx ("Xxxxx"), International, BTH and
the Company (the "Shareholders Agreement"), whereby, among other things, US
Cable has been granted certain contractual rights relating to its investment in
the Company; and
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, BTH desires
to sell, and Comcast desires to purchase (a) at the Initial Closing (i) from
BTH, 49% of the Subsidiary Stock issued and outstanding as of the date of the
Initial Closing (the "49% Subsidiary Stock") and (ii) from US Cable, (x)
6,400,000 of the Class A Shares (the "Initial Shares") and (y) subject to the
right of first refusal contained in Section 4.5 of the Xxxxx Companies
Shareholders Agreements, all of the capital stock of the Xxxxx Companies owned
beneficially or of record by US Cable or its Affiliates (the "Affiliate Stock")
and (b) at the Final Closing from BTH, at
Comcast's option, all of the shares of Subsidiary Stock issued and outstanding
as of the Final Closing Date other than those shares of Subsidiary Stock owned
beneficially or of record by Comcast or its Affiliates as of the Final Closing
Date or such other transaction as may be contemplated by Section 8.4(c) hereof
(the "Remaining Subsidiary Stock" and collectively with the 49% Subsidiary
Stock, the Affiliate Stock and the Initial Shares the "Purchased Assets") each
on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, BTH also desires to agree to pay over to Comcast certain fees and
other amounts to be received by BTH or its Affiliates pursuant to that certain
Financial Services Agreement dated December 20, 1994, by and between BTH and
Xxxxx Financial Group, Inc. (the "Fee Letter") and that certain Supply Services
Agreement, dated December 20, 1994, by and between BTH and the Company (the
"Supply Services Agreement"), on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows.
ARTICLE I
SALE AND PURCHASE
Section 1.1. Purchase and Sale. On the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Agreement, BTH agrees to sell, and Comcast agrees to purchase, for the
Purchase Price (i) the 49% Subsidiary Stock, the Initial Shares and, subject to
any rights pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Xxxxx Companies Shareholders
Agreements, the Affiliate Stock all free and clear of any Claims, together with
all Payments received since the Initial Closing Date by BTH pursuant to the Fee
Letter and the Supply Services Agreement (the "Initial Purchase"), such sale and
purchase to be consummated as soon as reasonably practicable following the
expiration of the 90-day period (or, at Comcast's option, such shorter period as
it may determine in its sole discretion) commencing on the date of this
Agreement and the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent set forth
in Sections 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 6.1, 6.3 and 6.5, or such later date as the parties
may agree (the first such day being the "Initial Closing Date") and (ii) on the
first date following the day on which all of the conditions precedent contained
in Sections 8.5 and 8.6 are satisfied or waived (the "Final Closing Date"), the
Remaining Subsidiary Stock (or such alternative shares as contemplated by
Section 8.4(c)) (the "Final Purchase"). Comcast currently intends to explore the
possibility of a consensual transaction with Xxxxx and/or the Company and BTH
during the aforementioned 90-day period pursuant to which BTH would receive
$500,000,000 in exchange for its interests in the Company and the Affiliate
Stock.
Section 1.2. Purchase Price. (a) Comcast agrees to pay BTH an amount equal to
$500,000,000 (the "Purchase Price"), 80% of which shall be payable on the
Initial Closing Date (the "Initial Closing Payment") and 20% of which shall be
payable on the Final Closing Date (the "Final Closing Payment").
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(b) Amounts payable pursuant to this Section 1.2 and Sections 7.3(e),
8.2(b) and 8.8 shall be made by Comcast in immediately available funds to one or
more accounts designated by BTH at least two days prior to the date any such
payment is due.
(c) The foregoing purchase and sale and the Purchase Price payable
with respect thereto, shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Sections
7.3(e), 8.2(b) and 8.8 of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
EFFECTIVE TIME
Section 2.1. Effective Time. This Agreement will become effective immediately.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BTH
BTH hereby represents and warrants to Comcast that:
Section 3.1. Organization and Standing.
(a) BTH is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of Canada with full corporate power and authority to
own, lease, use and operate its properties (including, without limitation, the
shares of capital stock of its subsidiaries) and to conduct its business as and
where now owned, leased, used, operated and conducted. BTH is duly qualified to
do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the
business conducted by it or the property it owns, leases or operates requires it
to so qualify, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing
in such jurisdiction individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be
expected to prevent, materially interfere with or materially delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. BTH is not in default in
the performance, observance or fulfillment of any provision of its articles of
incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) which could
reasonably be expected to prevent, materially interfere with or materially delay
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) Each of the BTH Subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the British Virgin
Islands with full corporate power and authority to own, lease, use and operate
its properties (including, without limitation, in the case of US Cable, to own
the Class A Shares and the Affiliate Stock and, in the case of Intercable, to
exercise the Control Option and to purchase and hold the Control Shares) and to
conduct its business as and where now owned, leased, used, operated and
conducted. Each of the BTH Subsidiaries is duly qualified to do business and in
good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted
by it or the property it owns, leases or operates requires it to so qualify,
except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing in such
jurisdiction individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected
to have a Material
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Adverse Effect on either of the BTH Subsidiaries or prevent, materially
interfere with or materially delay the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby. The BTH Subsidiaries are not in default in the performance,
observance or fulfillment of any provision of their memorandum of association
and articles of association which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the BTH Subsidiaries or prevent, materially interfere
with or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(c) True, complete and correct copies of the memorandum of association
and articles of association for each of the BTH Subsidiaries have been delivered
to Comcast and such memorandum of association and articles of association have
not been amended, modified or rescinded since the date of such delivery to
Comcast and are in full force and effect.
Section 3.2. Ownership of the Class A Shares. US Cable owns beneficially and of
record the Class A Shares, free and clear of any Claims.
Section 3.3. Capitalization.
(a) US Cable has authorized share capital of $500,000,000 which is
divided into 500,000,000 shares each having a par value of US $1.00 of which
316,424,250 are issued and outstanding and no shares are issued and held in
treasury.
(b) Intercable has authorized share capital of $50,000 which is
divided into 50,000 shares each having a par value of US $1.00 of which 110 are
issued and outstanding and no shares are issued and held in treasury.
(c) BTH owns beneficially and of record 316,424,250 shares of the
capital stock of US Cable and 110 shares of the capital stock of Intercable, in
each case free of any Claims. Such capital stock represents all of the issued
and outstanding capital stock of US Cable and Intercable, respectively.
(d) Each of the (i) issued and outstanding shares of Subsidiary Stock
and (ii) to the Knowledge of BTH, shares of the Affiliate Stock has been duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and is nonassessable and, in the case of
(i) has not been and in the case of (ii) to the knowledge of BTH has not been
issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights. There are (i) no
outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, puts, calls, agreements,
understandings, claims or other commitments or rights of any type relating to
the issuance, sale, repurchase or transfer of any capital stock or other
securities of the BTH Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of BTH and except as set
forth in the Xxxxx Companies Shareholders Agreements, the Xxxxx Companies, nor
are there outstanding any securities which are convertible into or exchangeable
for any shares of capital stock or other securities of the BTH Subsidiaries or,
to the Knowledge of BTH, the Xxxxx Companies, and (ii) the BTH Subsidiaries and,
to the Knowledge of BTH, the Xxxxx Companies, do not have any obligation of any
kind to issue any additional shares of capital stock or other securities or to
pay for or repurchase any shares of capital stock or other securities. Except as
set forth in the Xxxxx Companies Shareholders Agreements, there are no
preemptive or
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similar rights available to (i) the existing holders of the capital stock of the
BTH Subsidiaries, (ii) to the Knowledge of BTH, the existing holders of the
capital stock of the Xxxxx Companies, or (iii) to any other Person in respect of
the capital stock or other securities of the BTH Subsidiaries or, to the
Knowledge of BTH, the Xxxxx Companies.
Section 3.4. No Other Investments; No Liabilities.
(a) Other than the Class A Shares (together with any distributions or
dividends received on such shares and any rights to receive declared but unpaid
distributions or dividends on such shares), and any capital stock of the Xxxxx
Companies (together with any distributions or dividends received on such shares
and any rights to receive declared but unpaid distributions or dividends on such
shares), US Cable does not own, beneficially or of record, any capital stock of
or other equity interest in any corporation or other business entity nor does US
Cable own, beneficially or of record, any partnership interests in any general,
limited or limited liability partnership. Except for (i) the Class A Shares
(together with any distributions or dividends received on such shares and any
rights to receive declared but unpaid distributions or dividends on such shares)
and any capital stock of the Xxxxx Companies (together with any distributions or
dividends received on such shares and any rights to receive declared but unpaid
distributions or dividends on such shares) and (ii) the Shareholders Agreement,
the Xxxxx Companies Shareholders Agreements and the Shareholders Agreement
Assignment, US Cable does not own any assets and US Cable does not have any
liabilities or obligations of any nature whatsoever (other than franchise taxes
and customary directors fees which are not material in amount), whether known or
unknown, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become
due.
(b) Intercable does not own, beneficially or of record, any capital
stock of any corporation or other business entity nor does Intercable own,
beneficially or of record, any partnership interests in any general, limited or
limited liability partnerships. Except for its interests in the Control Option
Agreements and the Option Agreement Assignment, Intercable does not own any
assets and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.4, Intercable does not have any
liabilities or obligations of any nature whatsoever (other than franchise
taxes), whether known or unknown, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and
whether due or to become due.
(c) US Cable owns beneficially and of record 2,410 shares of the Class
A Common Stock of JEC free and clear of any Claims other than pursuant to
Section 4.5 of the applicable Xxxxx Company Shareholder Agreement, which as of
the date of this Agreement constitutes 11.9% of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of JEC.
(d) US Cable owns beneficially and of record 747,500 shares of the
Class A Common Stock of JEG free and clear of any Claims other than pursuant to
Section 4.5 of the applicable Xxxxx Company Shareholder Agreement, which as of
the date of this Agreement constitutes 20% of the issued and outstanding capital
stock of JEG.
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Section 3.5. Corporate Power and Authority. BTH and each of the BTH Subsidiaries
each have all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and deliver
this Agreement, to perform their obligations hereunder and to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by BTH and each of the BTH Subsidiaries have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action required to have been taken by
or on behalf of BTH and each of the BTH Subsidiaries under applicable law and
their respective organizational documents. This Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by BTH and each of the BTH Subsidiaries and constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligation of BTH and each of the BTH Subsidiaries enforceable
against them in accordance with its terms.
Section 3.6. Conflicts; Consents and Approvals. Neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will:
(a) conflict with, or result in a breach of, any provision of the
certificate of incorporation, bylaws, memorandum of association or articles of
association or similar organizational documents of BTH or either of the BTH
Subsidiaries;
(b) violate, or conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision
of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with the giving of notice, the
passage of time or otherwise, would constitute a default) under, or entitle any
party (with the giving of notice, the passage of time or otherwise) to
terminate, accelerate, cancel, modify or call a default under, or result in the
creation of any Claim upon any of the properties or assets of BTH, the BTH
Subsidiaries, or any of their respective subsidiaries under, any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust,
license, contract, undertaking, agreement, lease or other instrument or
obligation to which any of the foregoing is a party (excluding, for purposes of
this Section 3.6(b), the Xxxxx/BTH Agreements and the Xxxxx Companies
Shareholders Agreements, as to which such agreements no representation or
warranty is made under this paragraph (b)), which could reasonably be expected
to prevent, materially interfere with or materially delay the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or
regulation applicable to BTH, either of the BTH Subsidiaries or any of their
subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets the effect of which
could reasonably be expected to, in the case of BTH prevent, materially
interfere with or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, or in the case of each of the BTH Subsidiaries, have a Material
Adverse Effect on such BTH Subsidiary or prevent, materially interfere with or
materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;
(d) require any action or consent or approval of, or review by, or
registration or filing by BTH, either of the BTH Subsidiaries, or any of their
subsidiaries or to the Knowledge of BTH, the Company or the Xxxxx Companies with
(i) any local, domestic, foreign or multi-national court, arbitral tribunal,
administrative agency or commission or other governmental
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or regulatory body, agency, instrumentality or authority (a "Governmental
Authority"), other than (w) actions required by the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder (the "HSR Act"); (x) the filing of any Schedule 13D with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or the amendment of any Schedule 13D
already on file with the SEC; (y) Franchise Approvals; or (z) actions required
as a result of or relating to the regulatory status of Comcast or (ii) to the
Knowledge of BTH, any third party.
Section 3.7. Brokerage and Finder's Fees; Expenses. Except in connection with
the retention of Bear Xxxxxxx & Co., Inc., (the fees of which firm shall be the
sole responsibility of BTH) none of BTH, either of the BTH Subsidiaries or their
respective Affiliates or any stockholder, director, officer or employee of any
of them has incurred or will incur on behalf of BTH, either of the BTH
Subsidiaries, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates any brokerage,
finder's or similar fee in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section 3.8. Shareholders Agreement and Option Agreements.
(a) True, correct and complete copies of the Xxxxx/BTH Agreements, the
Xxxxx Companies Shareholders Agreements, the Fee Letter and the Supply Services
Agreement (together with any and all schedules or exhibits to each of the
foregoing) have been delivered to Comcast. Each of the Xxxxx/BTH Agreements and
the Xxxxx Companies Shareholders Agreements (i) has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by BTH and any of its Affiliates or agents that are
parties thereto, and to the Knowledge of BTH by the other parties thereto, and
(ii) is in full force and effect in the forms previously delivered to Comcast
and has not been amended, terminated or modified in any respect. BTH is the
"Investor" as such term is defined in the Shareholders Agreement and has validly
assigned all of its rights under the Shareholders Agreement to US Cable pursuant
to the Shareholders Agreement Assignment entered into pursuant to Section
7.2(b)(ii) of the Shareholders Agreement. BTH has validly assigned all of its
rights under the Control Option Agreements to Intercable pursuant to that
certain Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated December 22, 1995 (the
"Option Agreement Assignment"), by and among BTH, Xxxxxx Guaranty Trust Company
of New York, Bank of New York, and Intercable. Except for the subject matter of
the Litigation (as defined in Section 5.7 hereof), neither BTH nor any of its
Affiliates or agents that are parties to or assignees of rights under the
Xxxxx/BTH Agreements, and to the Knowledge of BTH none of the other parties
thereto, have breached or are in default under such agreements. Except for the
Xxxxx/BTH Agreements, there are no other agreements, contracts, arrangements or
understandings which relate in any manner to, the subject matter of the
Xxxxx/BTH Agreements.
(b) The execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and the exercise of the Control Option
(assuming the Control Option were exercised on the date hereof and on each of
the Initial Closing Date and the Final Closing Date) will not violate or
contravene or constitute, with the passage of time, giving of notice or
otherwise, a default under or give rise to the early termination in whole or in
part of, the
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Xxxxx/BTH Agreements; provided, however, that Comcast acknowledges and agrees
that the exclusive remedy of any Comcast Indemnified Party for any breach of
this Section 3.8(b) shall be limited to reimbursement of a portion of the
Initial Purchase Price as set forth in Section 8.8 of this Agreement.
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8 or as specifically disclosed
in the Company Public Reports, none of BTH, either of the BTH Subsidiaries or
any of their respective Affiliates or agents has (i) consented to the taking of
any action for which the consent of such persons is required to be obtained by
any party to the Xxxxx/BTH Agreements, including the actions set forth in
Sections 2.6 and 3.6(b) of the Shareholders Agreement or (ii) engaged in any
transactions requiring approval pursuant to Section 3.6 of the Shareholders
Agreement, other than actions or transactions which, individually or in the
aggregate, are not material.
(d) As of the date of this Agreement, BTH has fulfilled not less than
$286,424,250 of its $400,000,000 investment commitment pursuant to Section 3.1
of the Shareholders Agreement.
Section 3.9. Transactions with Affiliates and Xxxxx. Except for the Xxxxx/BTH
Agreements, the Xxxxx Companies Shareholders Agreements, the Fee Letter, the
Supply Services Agreement and the Secondment Agreement, none of BTH or its
Affiliates or their respective agents is a party to any agreements, contracts,
understandings or arrangements with Xxxxx or the Company or with any Affiliate
or Associate of Xxxxx or the Company (i) relating to the subject matter of this
Agreement or any other equity investments, joint ventures or partnership
agreements or (ii) any other material matter, other than in the case of the
foregoing clause (ii) arms-length transactions entered into in the ordinary
course of business.
Section 3.10. Status of the Company. To the Knowledge of BTH, as of the date of
this Agreement and as of the Initial Closing Date the statements contained on
Schedule 3.10 are true, complete and correct in all material respects.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMCAST
Comcast hereby represents and warrants to BTH that:
Section 4.1. Organization and Standing. Comcast is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania with full corporate power and authority to own, lease, use and
operate its properties and to conduct its business as and where now owned,
leased, used, operated and conducted. Comcast is duly qualified to do business
and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business
conducted by it or the property it owns, leases or operates requires it to so
qualify, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing in such
jurisdiction individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected
to prevent, materially interfere with or materially delay the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby. Comcast is not in
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default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any provision of its
articles of incorporation or bylaws which could reasonably be expected to
prevent, materially interfere with or materially delay the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.2. Corporate Power and Authority. Comcast has all requisite corporate
power and authority to enter into and deliver this Agreement, to perform its
obligations hereunder and, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Comcast
has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action required to have been
taken by or on behalf of Comcast under applicable law or its articles of
incorporation and bylaws. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
Comcast and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Comcast
enforceable against Comcast in accordance with its terms.
Section 4.3. Conflicts; Consents and Approvals. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.3, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby will:
(a) conflict with, or result in a breach of, any provision of the
articles of incorporation or the bylaws of Comcast,
(b) violate, or conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision
of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with the giving of notice, the
passage of time or otherwise, would constitute a default) under, or entitle any
party (with the giving of notice, the passage of time or otherwise) to
terminate, accelerate, cancel, modify or call a default under, or result in the
creation of any Claim upon any of the properties or assets of Comcast under, any
of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
deed of trust, license, contract, undertaking, agreement, lease or other
instrument or obligation to which Comcast is a party which could reasonably be
expected to prevent, materially interfere with or materially delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;
(c) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or
regulation applicable to Comcast or any of its properties or assets the effect
of which could reasonably be expected to prevent, materially interfere with or
materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or
(d) require any action or consent or approval of, or review by, or
registration or filing by Comcast with, any Governmental Authority or to the
Knowledge of Comcast any third party, other than (i) actions required by the HSR
Act; (ii) the filing of any Schedule 13D with the SEC or the Amendment of any
Schedule 13D already on file with the SEC; or (iii) actions or filings required
as a result of or relating to the status of BTH, the BTH Subsidiaries or the
Company.
Section 4.4. Brokerage and Finder's Fees; Expenses. Except in connection with
the retention of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC (the fees of which firm shall be the
sole responsibility of Comcast)
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none of Comcast, its Affiliates or any stockholder, director, officer or
employee of any of them has incurred or will incur on behalf of Comcast or any
of its Affiliates any brokerage, finder's or similar fee in connection with the
transaction contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.5. Investment Purpose. Comcast is acquiring the shares of the Company,
JEC and JEG owned by BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries or alternatively, the Initial
Shares, the Affiliate Shares, the Subsidiary Shares and the Remaining Subsidiary
Shares, solely for the purposes of investment and not with a view to, or for
offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof.
Section 4.6. Transactions with Xxxxx. Except for the acquisition of cable
systems, programming carriage agreements, minority investments in programming or
other content businesses, and advertising interconnect agreements, none of
Comcast or its Affiliates or their respective agents is a party to any
agreements, contracts, understandings or arrangements with Xxxxx or the Company
or with any Affiliate or Associate of Xxxxx or the Company (i) relating to the
subject matter of this Agreement or (ii) any other material matter, other than
arms-length transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business;
provided, however, that any agreement, contract, understanding or arrangement
with Xxxxx or the Company entered into after the date hereof in contemplation of
the acquisition of the Company or shares of its capital stock shall be deemed
not to be a breach of this representation and warranty.
ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF COMCAST
AT THE INITIAL CLOSING AND THE FINAL CLOSING
(A) The obligations of Comcast to consummate the Initial Closing in
accordance with Article VIII are subject to the fulfillment or waiver of each of
the following conditions at or prior to the Initial Closing:
Section 5.1. Litigation; No Governmental Opposition. No judgment, injunction,
order or decree (i) enjoining or prohibiting BTH, the BTH Subsidiaries or
Comcast from consummating the transactions contemplated hereby or the exercise
of the Control Option (including its exercise pursuant to Section 7.5(a)), (ii)
invalidating or terminating the Control Option or the Xxxxx/BTH Agreements or
(iii) declaring that if the Initial Closing were to occur, the Control Option
would be invalidated or terminated, shall have been entered prior to or on the
Initial Closing Date and no suit, action or proceeding shall be pending or
threatened prior to or on the Initial Closing Date by any Governmental Authority
seeking the relief described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii).
Section 5.2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants.
(a) Each of the representations and warranties of BTH contained in
this Agreement shall, in the case of those representations and warranties that
are not qualified by materiality, be true, complete and correct in all material
respects, and in the case of those representations and warranties that are
qualified by materiality shall be true, complete and correct in all respects, as
of each of (i) the date of this Agreement and (ii) unless otherwise specified as
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having been made as of a specific date, the Initial Closing Date, in each case
as though newly made at such time, except to the extent the facts underlying
such representations and warranties have changed (i) with Comcast's consent in
accordance with Section 7.3 or otherwise, or (ii) as a result of the sale of the
Affiliate Stock in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.11(b).
(b) Each of the covenants and agreements to be performed by BTH and
the BTH Subsidiaries hereunder at or prior to the Initial Closing shall have
been duly performed in all material respects.
Section 5.3. Approvals.
(a) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Comcast or the Company and except for any authorizations,
consents, orders or approvals from applicable Franchise Authorities, all actions
by or in respect of, or filings with, any Governmental Authority required to
permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been
taken, made or obtained, and any and all other permits, approvals, consents,
licenses or other actions necessary to consummate the transactions hereunder
(including those listed on Schedule 3.6) shall have been received or taken, and
none of such permits, approvals, consents or licenses shall contain any
provisions which would have a Material Adverse Effect on Comcast or the Company.
(b) There shall not be in effect any statute, rule or regulation which
would have the effect of prohibiting Comcast from consummating the transactions
contemplated hereby.
Section 5.4. Other Deliveries. In addition to those documents and instruments
which are required to be delivered to Comcast at the Initial Closing pursuant to
Article VIII, BTH and each of the BTH Subsidiaries shall have executed (where
applicable) and delivered to Comcast (or shall have caused to be executed and
delivered to Comcast by the appropriate Person) the following:
(a) a copy of the memorandum of association and articles of
association of each of the BTH Subsidiaries which is certified as of a recent
date by the applicable British Virgin Islands authority;
(b) a customary certificate of the applicable British Virgin Islands
authority certifying as of a recent date as to matters such as the due
incorporation and good standing of each of the BTH Subsidiaries;
(c) a certificate of the secretary of each of the BTH Subsidiaries,
certifying that the attached copies of their respective memorandum of
association and articles of association and the resolutions of their respective
boards of directors and stockholders authorizing the execution of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby are true, correct and complete copies
and are each in full force and effect and have not been amended or modified, and
that the officers of each of the BTH Subsidiaries are those persons named in the
certificate;
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(d) a certificate dated as of the Initial Closing Date signed by the
president or chief executive officer of BTH certifying that all of the
conditions in Section 5.2 have been fulfilled prior to or on the Initial Closing
Date;
(e) a customary opinion of counsel to BTH and each of the BTH
Subsidiaries covering such matters as described in Sections 3.1, 3.3 and 3.5;
(f) such other certificates, documents and agreements in connection
with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby which are
reasonably requested by Comcast, all in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Comcast.
Section 5.5. HSR Act. Any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act (including
any extensions thereof) shall have expired or been terminated.
Section 5.6. Material Adverse Change. Since March 31, 1998, there shall have
been no change, event or development which, either individually or in the
aggregate with other changes, events and developments, has had or could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company;
provided, however, that (i) a decrease in the market price of the shares of the
Company's capital stock (but not any change, event or development underlying
such decrease to the extent such change, event or development would otherwise
constitute a Material Adverse Effect on such party) and (ii) changes, events or
developments (including changes in legal or regulatory conditions) generally
affecting the economy as a whole or the cable industry as a whole, shall be
deemed not to be changes, events or developments having a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company for purposes of this Section 5.6.
Section 5.7. Litigation. The decision and order rendered on May 5, 1998 in that
certain lawsuit brought by BTH against Xxxxx Intercable, Inc., Xxxxx
International, Ltd., Xxxxx Internet Channel, Inc. and Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, which has
been rendered by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado (the
"Litigation") shall not have been reversed and the injunction granted in
connection with such decision shall not have been stayed or dissolved.
Section 5.8. Status of the Company. The statements on Schedule 3.10 shall be
true and correct.
(B) The obligations of Comcast to consummate the Final Closing in
accordance with Article VIII are subject to the fulfillment or waiver of each of
the conditions set forth in Section 8.5 at or prior to the Final Closing.
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ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF BTH AND
THE BTH SUBSIDIARIES AT THE INITIAL CLOSING AND THE FINAL CLOSING
(A) The obligations of BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries to consummate the
Initial Closing in accordance with Article VIII are subject to the fulfillment
or waiver of the following conditions at or prior to the Initial Closing:
Section 6.1. Litigation; No Governmental Opposition. No judgment, injunction,
order or decree (i) enjoining or prohibiting any of BTH, the BTH Subsidiaries or
Comcast from consummating the transactions contemplated hereby or the exercise
of the Control Option (including its exercise pursuant to Section 7.5(a)), (ii)
invalidating or terminating the Control Option or the Xxxxx/BTH Agreements or
(iii) declaring that if the Initial Closing were to occur the Control Option
would be invalidated or terminated, shall have been entered prior to or on the
Initial Closing Date and no suit, action or proceeding shall be pending or
threatened prior to or on the Initial Closing Date by any Governmental Authority
seeking the relief described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii).
Section 6.2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants.
(a) Each of the representations and warranties of Comcast contained in
this Agreement shall, in the case of those representations and warranties that
are not qualified by materiality, be true, complete and correct in all material
respects, and in the case of those representations and warranties that are
qualified by materiality shall be true, complete and correct in all respects, as
of each of (i) the date of this Agreement and (ii) unless otherwise specified as
having been made as of a specific date, the Initial Closing Date, in each case
as though newly made at such time.
(b) Each of the covenants and agreements to be performed by Comcast
hereunder at or prior to the Initial Closing shall have been duly performed in
all material respects.
Section 6.3. Approvals.
(a) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries, and except for any
authorizations, consents, orders or approvals from applicable Franchise
Authorities, all actions by or in respect of, or filings with, any Governmental
Authority required to permit BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby shall have been taken, made or obtained, and
any and all other permits, approvals, consents, licenses or other actions
necessary to permit BTH to consummate the transactions hereunder shall have been
received or taken.
(b) There shall not be in effect any statute, rule or regulation which
would have the effect of prohibiting BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries from
consummating the transactions contemplated hereby.
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Section 6.4. Other Deliveries. In addition to those documents and instruments
which are required to be delivered to BTH at the Initial Closing pursuant to
Article VIII, Comcast shall have executed (where applicable) and delivered to
BTH (or shall have caused to be executed and delivered by the appropriate
Person), the following:
(a) a certificate dated as of the Initial Closing Date signed by the
president or chief executive officer of Comcast certifying that all of the
conditions contained in Section 6.2 have been fulfilled prior to or on the
Initial Closing Date;
(b) a customary opinion of counsel to Comcast, covering such matters
as described in Sections 4.1 and 4.2;
(c) such other certificates, documents and agreements in connection
with the consummation of transactions contemplated hereby which are reasonably
requested by BTH, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to BTH.
Section 6.5. HSR Act. Any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act (including
any extensions thereof) shall have expired or been terminated.
(B) The obligations of BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries to consummate the
Final Closing in accordance with Article VIII are subject to the fulfillment or
waiver of each of the conditions set forth in Section 8.6 at or prior to the
Final Closing.
ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS
Section 7.1. [Intentionally omitted]
Section 7.2. [Intentionally omitted]
Section 7.3. Consultation with Comcast.
(a) BTH covenants and agrees that upon BTH, the BTH Subsidiaries or
their designees on the Company's board of directors receiving any notice from
Xxxxx, the Company or their Affiliates pursuant to, under or with respect to
Sections 2.6, 2.8, 3.1, 3.6, 3.8, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 or 5.4 of the Shareholders
Agreement, BTH will promptly forward a copy of such notice to Comcast by
facsimile transmission together with telephonic notice to the numbers specified
for Comcast in Section 13.7; provided that if BTH determines in its reasonable
good faith discretion that forwarding any such notice to Comcast would
constitute a breach of its confidentiality obligations under the Shareholders
Agreement, BTH shall only be obligated to notify Comcast of the existence and
general subject matter of such notice and to the extent permitted under its
confidentiality obligations, the contents of such notice.
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(b) Comcast shall have the right to deliver a notice of preference
expressing their desire that BTH, the BTH Subsidiaries or their Affiliates
exercise or not exercise their rights or otherwise take or not take certain
actions pursuant to Sections 2.6, 2.8, 3.1(b) or (c), 3.6, 3.8, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1,
5.2 or 5.4, as the case may be, (a "Notice of Preference") within the applicable
Preference Period. For purposes hereof, the "Preference Period" shall be a
number of days (or hours) equal to the greater of (i) two days less than the
number of days between the date of receipt of notice by BTH, the BTH
Subsidiaries or their designees on the Company's board of directors from Xxxxx,
the Company or their respective Affiliates and the time BTH is required to
respond to such request under the terms of the Shareholders Agreement and (ii)
one half of the number of days (or hours) between the time of receipt of notice
by BTH, the BTH Subsidiaries or their designees on the Company's board of
directors and the time BTH is required to respond to such request.
(c) If Comcast has not delivered a Notice of Preference within the
applicable Preference Period, then Comcast shall be deemed to have delivered a
Notice of Preference containing the following advice, as applicable:
(i) in the case of Sections 2.6, 4.1, 5.1(a) or 5.2(d) of
the Shareholders Agreement, BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries should
exercise their right not to consent to the proposed action and in the
case of Section 3.1(b), not to waive the conditions referred to
therein;
(ii) in the case of Section 3.6 of the Shareholders
Agreement, the Unrelated Directors (as defined in the Shareholders
Agreement) designated by BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries should exercise
their right (subject to their fiduciary duties as provided in Section
7.3(e)) not to approve the proposed transaction.
(d) If Comcast delivers a Notice of Preference within the Preference
Period expressing a desire to have BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries exercise their
rights under Sections 2.8, 3.1(b) or (c), 3.8, 4.2 or 5.1(b) of the Shareholders
Agreement, or if BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries are required to invest in
additional shares of the Company pursuant to Section 3.1(a) of the Shareholders
Agreement, at the time of delivery by Comcast of any such Preference Notice or,
in the case of a notice by BTH of its investment obligations pursuant to Section
3.1(a) of the Shareholder's Agreement within 5 Business Days of receipt by
Comcast thereof. Comcast and BTH agree to enter into a mutually satisfactory
escrow or security arrangement whereby Comcast shall make available to BTH or
the BTH Subsidiaries, as applicable, immediately available funds sufficient to
enable BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries to fulfill their payment obligations pursuant
to the applicable Section of the Shareholders Agreement and such funds shall be
held in escrow until immediately prior to such time as BTH or the BTH
Subsidiaries acquire the securities which are the subject of such transaction
and which further provides that BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries, as applicable,
shall deliver the securities (together with any dividends or distributions
thereon) to Comcast at the first to occur of the Final Closing, including any
alternative final closing pursuant to Section 8.8, or the termination of this
Agreement.
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(e) In the event that BTH, the BTH Subsidiaries or their designees on
the Company's board of directors elect not to act in accordance with, or take
any action contrary to, any Notice of Preference of Comcast (whether actually
delivered pursuant to subsection (b) or whether deemed to have been delivered
pursuant to subsection (c) within the Preference Period), then BTH will make a
one-time payment to Comcast, within 5 days of demand by Comcast, of an amount
equal to $150,000,000, plus, if the Initial Closing has occurred interest at the
Applicable Rate accruing from the Initial Closing Date to and including the date
of such payment. No such payment shall be required of BTH with respect to a
transaction described in Section 3.6(b) of the Shareholders Agreement that has
occurred if (i) the directors of the Company designated by US Cable or any of
its Affiliates pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement shall have reasonably
concluded in good faith at the time they approved such transaction, to the
extent such consultation is reasonably practicable under the circumstances after
(x) consultation with and the receipt of advice from a nationally recognized law
firm, and (y) to the extent reasonably practicable under the circumstances
consultation with Comcast, that their fiduciary duties as directors of the
Company require them to approve such transaction and (ii) none of BTH or its
Affiliates has any financial interest in such transaction (other than holding
any capital stock of the Company) or has received remuneration or any other
inducement to approve such transaction.
(f) Except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 8.8, the receipt
of any such payment by Comcast shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the
Comcast Indemnified Parties with respect to claims based on the matters set
forth in this Section 7.3.
Section 7.4. Prohibited Transactions. During the term of this Agreement, BTH
shall not and shall not permit any of its Affiliates or agents to: (i) except as
contemplated by this Agreement, Transfer any interests of BTH, the BTH
Subsidiaries or their Affiliates in, or rights relating to, the Company, (ii)
except in connection with a transaction of the type referred to in the last
sentence of Section 1.1, engage in any merger, consolidation or other business
combination involving the Company or any sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, (iii) except as contemplated by this Agreement, Transfer any of
the capital stock of either of the BTH Subsidiaries or participate in any
merger, consolidation or other business combination involving either of the BTH
Subsidiaries; (iv) except as contemplated by this Agreement, Transfer any of the
Class A Shares or the Control Shares or any interest in Xxxxx/BTH Agreements or
the Fee Letter or Supply Services Agreement or any rights, powers or privileges
thereunder or waive, modify or fail to reasonably enforce and to defend any and
all such rights, powers or privileges; (v) except as contemplated by this
Agreement, Transfer any of the capital stock of the Xxxxx Companies or any
interest in the Xxxxx Company Shareholders Agreements or any rights, powers or
privileges thereunder or waive, modify or fail to reasonably enforce and to
defend any and all such rights, powers or privileges; or (vi) grant any option
or right to do any of the foregoing. BTH also agrees that it shall not and shall
not permit any of its Affiliates, agents, employees and representatives
(including, without limitation, attorneys and financial advisors) to solicit
offers relating to, or to negotiate, discuss or enter into or consummate any
agreements, arrangements, contracts or understandings relating to, any of the
matters covered by clauses (i) through (vi) of the preceding sentence. At all
times during the term of this Agreement, BTH agrees that it shall
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remain a majority-owned subsidiary of BCE, Inc. ("BCE"); provided that BTH may
be liquidated into BCE in a transaction which will not result in the loss of any
rights under the Xxxxx/BTH Agreements.
Section 7.5. Exercise of the Control Option
(a) BTH shall notify Comcast within twenty-four (24) hours after it
becomes aware that the Control Option becomes exercisable pursuant to the terms
of the Control Option Agreements. If Comcast, in its sole discretion, determines
that the Control Option should be exercised and so notifies BTH, then BTH shall
or shall cause Intercable or their agent to either (as directed by Comcast) (i)
exercise the Control Option and, upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions
contained in Section 3.2(b) of the Option Agreement, purchase the Control Shares
or (ii) assign their rights under the Control Option Agreements in accordance
with Section 10.2(a)(iii) thereof to Comcast or a person selected by Comcast. In
the event that Comcast decides that the Control Option should be exercised, it
shall deliver to BTH a written notice directing BTH to, or to cause its
Affiliates or agents to, exercise the Control Option on a date specified in such
notice and Comcast shall deposit into an escrow account, with Bank of New York
acting as escrow agent, sufficient funds to consummate the exercise of the
Control Option and the purchase of the Control Shares; provided however that if
BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries fail to consummate the purchase of the Control
Shares such funds provided by Comcast shall be repaid to Comcast plus any
interest earned on such funds while held in escrow. BTH shall not, and shall
cause the BTH Subsidiaries and their agents not to, exercise the Control Option
unless so directed by Comcast.
(b) In the event that Intercable's inability to satisfy one or more of
the conditions contained in Section 3.2(b)(i)-(vi) of the Control Option
Agreements is due to a Change in Law (as defined in the Control Option
Agreements) after the date of this Agreement and prior to the delivery of an
exercise notice pursuant to the Control Option Agreements, then Intercable shall
have the right to offer the Control Option to Xxxxx in accordance with the
terms, conditions and procedures specified in Section 7.2 of the Control Option
Agreements. In the event that Xxxxx fails to elect to purchase the Control
Option pursuant to the offer referred to in the previous sentence, then
Intercable shall assign the Control Option to Comcast (or a Person designated by
Comcast) pursuant to Section 10.2(a)(ii) of the Control Option Agreements and
the condition contained in Section 8.5(f) shall be satisfied. In the event that
Xxxxx elects to purchase the Control Option pursuant to the offer referred to in
the first sentence of this Section 7.5(b), the condition contained in Section
8.5(f) shall not be satisfied and BTH shall have the right to retain any
proceeds of such purchase by Xxxxx.
Section 7.6. Litigation. BTH shall not take any action or refrain from taking
any action relating to the Litigation without first consulting with Comcast.
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Section 7.7. Covenant Not to Take Certain Actions.
(a) None of BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries shall take, or agree in
writing or otherwise to take, or permit any of their Affiliates to take, or
agree in writing or otherwise to take, any action which will cause any of the
conditions specified in Article V or Section 8.5 not to be fulfilled at and as
of the Initial Closing Date and the Final Closing Date, respectively or which
would be inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(b) Comcast shall not take, or agree in writing or otherwise to take,
nor permit any of its Affiliates to take, or agree in writing or otherwise to
take, any action which will cause any of the conditions specified in Article VI
and Section 8.6 not to be fulfilled at and as of the Initial Closing Date and
the Final Closing Date, respectively, or which would be inconsistent with the
terms of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) BTH shall cause the BTH Subsidiaries to: (i) conduct their
respective business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice;
(ii) except as contemplated by this Agreement, not make (or incur any obligation
to make) any purchase, sale or disposition of any asset or property or subject
to any Claim any of their properties or assets; (iii) other than obligations for
reasonable director's fees, not incur any contingent or fixed obligations or
liabilities including, without limitation, any liability (contingent or fixed)
as a guarantor or otherwise with respect to the obligations of others; (iv)
except with Comcast's consent in connection with the actions contemplated by
Section 7.10 not make or incur any obligation to make a change in their
certificates of incorporation, by-laws or authorized or issued capital stock;
(v) except for the payment to BTH of any portion of the Purchase Price paid by
Comcast, not declare, set aside or pay any dividend or distribution, make (or
incur an obligation to make) any other distribution in respect of its capital
stock or interests or make (or incur an obligation to make) any direct or
indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition of their stock or interests;
(vi) not make any change in the compensation payable or to become payable to any
of their respective officers, employees, agents or independent contractors, or
enter into any collective bargaining agreement, bonus, equity, option, profit
sharing, compensation, welfare, retirement, or other similar arrangement, or any
employment contract; (vii) not prepay any loans (if any) from their
stockholders, officers or directors; (viii) not make any change in their
borrowing or banking arrangements; and (ix) except with Comcast's consent in
connection with the actions contemplated by Section 7.10 not issue any capital
stock nor any rights, options or warrants to purchase capital stock.
Section 7.8. [Intentionally Omitted].
Section 7.9. Covenant to Act in Good Faith.
(a) BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries shall in good faith use reasonable
best efforts to ensure that (i) the conditions in Article V(A) are fulfilled as
soon as is reasonably possible following the 90th day after the date hereof (or,
following receipt of notice from Comcast of such earlier date chosen by Comcast
pursuant to Section 1.1, as soon as possible following
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such earlier date) and (ii) the conditions in Article V(B) are fulfilled as soon
as is reasonably possible after the earlier to occur of (i) the date Comcast
notifies BTH to exercise or cause the exercise of the Control Option after the
Control Option becomes exercisable or (ii) the date the Control Option
terminates according to its terms without Comcast having notified BTH to
exercise the Control Option. BTH and any of its respective Affiliates, shall
promptly file any required notice or application for approval with respect to
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including making any
required filing under the HSR Act prior to the 96th day after the date of this
Agreement (or the sixth day after such earlier date chosen by Comcast pursuant
to Section 1.1), and shall expeditiously process the same (and each of BTH and
its respective Affiliates shall cooperate in a commercially reasonable manner
with Comcast in the filing of any such notice or application and the obtaining
of any such approval).
(b) Comcast shall in good faith use reasonable best efforts to ensure
that (i) the conditions in Article VI(A) are fulfilled as soon as is reasonably
possible following the 90th day after the date hereof (or following delivery of
notice to BTH of such earlier date chosen by Comcast pursuant to Section 1.1, as
soon as possible following such earlier date), including making any required
filing under the HSR Act prior to the 96th day after the date of this Agreement
(or the sixth day after such earlier date chosen by Comcast pursuant to Section
1.1), and (ii) the conditions in Article VI(B) are fulfilled as soon as is
reasonably possible after the earlier to occur of (i) the date Comcast notifies
BTH to exercise or cause the exercise of the Control Option after the Control
Option becomes exercisable or (ii) the date the Control Option terminates
according to its terms without Comcast having notified BTH to exercise the
Control Option. Comcast and any of its Affiliates shall promptly file any
required notice or application for approval with respect to the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, including making any required filing under
the HSR Act prior to the 96th day after the date of this Agreement, and shall
expeditiously process the same (and Comcast and its Affiliates shall cooperate
in a commercially reasonable manner with BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries in the
filing of any such notice or application or the obtaining of any such approval).
Section 7.10. Tax Matters. BTH and Comcast covenant and agree to consult with
one another and cooperate in good faith to determine mutually advantageous
allocations and tax structures to effect the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section 7.11. Other Agreements. (a) Following the Initial Closing, BTH shall pay
Comcast any Payments pursuant to the Fee Letter and the Supply Services
Agreement received on or after the Initial Closing Date.
(b) The parties agree that $50,000,000 of the Purchase Price will be
allocated to the Affiliate Stock. BTH covenants and agrees to offer Xxxxx the
Affiliate Stock if and to the extent required by the terms of the Xxxxx
Shareholders Agreements pursuant to the terms of Section 4.5 thereof promptly
following the Initial Closing Date.
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(c) BTH covenants and agrees to promptly notify Comcast upon becoming
aware of a Change in Law (as defined in the Control Option Agreements) and
except as otherwise provided in Section 7.5(b) BTH and Intercable will refrain
from exercising their rights pursuant to Section 7.2 of the Option Agreement and
shall follow Comcast's instructions with respect to the Control Option.
(d) BTH, the BTH Subsidiaries and Comcast agree that, in the event the
Company or Xxxxx (or Xxxxx' Affiliates or Associates) file any action, suit or
claim challenging the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or seeking to
prohibit consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (i)
none of them shall settle any such action, suit or claim without the written
consent of the other parties to this Agreement and (ii) they shall cooperate and
use their respective reasonable best efforts to preserve the rights of BTH
pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement and the Control Option Agreement;
provided that Comcast shall not have any obligation to waive, amend, modify or
fail to enforce any of its rights under this Agreement. In addition, each of
Comcast on the one hand, and BTH and its Affiliates on the other hand, shall pay
one-half of the reasonable costs and expenses incurred in the aggregate by
counsel to Comcast and counsel to BTH and its Affiliates in connection with any
such action, suit or claim.
(e) (i) BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries covenant and agree that promptly
upon becoming aware that Xxxxx or any of his Affiliates have engaged in a
transaction of the type described in Section 2.6(a) or Section 3.6 of the
Shareholders Agreement without having obtained any consent of BTH required
thereunder, BTH or any such BTH Subsidiary will notify Comcast of such
transaction.
(ii) BTH will, if requested by Comcast, at Comcast's expense,
diligently enforce its rights under the Shareholders Agreement, including
seeking judicial relief in respect thereof and will not settle any such judicial
proceeding without the consent of Comcast.
Section 7.12. Updates. BTH agrees that it shall promptly notify Comcast in
writing of (i) all events, circumstances, facts and occurrences arising
subsequent to the date of this Agreement that could result in any breach of a
representation or warranty of BTH in this Agreement or which could have the
effect of making any representation or warranty contained herein untrue or
incorrect in any material respect and (ii) all other material developments
affecting the ability of BTH to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
Comcast may elect not to accept such disclosures for purposes of any
determination pursuant to Article V(A) or V(B) of this Agreement, provided, that
if Comcast elects to proceed with the transactions contemplated hereby, such
disclosures shall (to the extent such disclosures do not relate to (i) breaches
of covenants of BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries or (ii) breaches of representations
and warranties of which BTH had Knowledge prior to the date of this Agreement)
be deemed to be updates to the applicable representations and warranties for
purposes of the indemnification provisions set forth in Article XI of this
Agreement and for purposes of any determination pursuant to Article V or Section
8.5 of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE VIII
CLOSINGS
Section 8.1. Initial Closing. The initial closing of the transactions
contemplated by Section 1.1(i) of this Agreement (the "Initial Closing") shall
take place at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on the Initial Closing Date. The
Initial Closing shall take place in the offices of Dechert Price & Xxxxxx, 4000
Xxxx Atlantic Tower, 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000, or such
other location as mutually agreed upon by the parties.
Section 8.2. Deliveries at the Initial Closing.
(a) At the Initial Closing, Comcast shall deliver to BTH the Initial
Closing Payment as set forth in Section 1.2.
(b) At the Initial Closing, simultaneously with the delivery of the
Initial Closing Payment as provided in Section 8.2(a), (i) BTH shall transfer to
Comcast good, valid and marketable title to, and shall deliver to Comcast a
certificate or certificates representing, 49% of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of the BTH Subsidiaries and (ii) US Cable shall deliver
to Comcast good, valid and marketable title to, and shall deliver to Comcast
certificates representing (x) the Class A Shares and (y) subject to any rights
which may exist pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Xxxxx Companies Shareholders
Agreements shall deliver certificates representing the Affiliate Stock,
accompanied by appropriate stock power(s) in form reasonably satisfactory to
Comcast, which shares shall be free and clear of any Claims. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event that US Cable is required to sell the Affiliate Stock to
Xxxxx as a result of the exercise by Xxxxx or any Affiliate of Xxxxx of any
rights of first refusal under the Xxxxx Companies Shareholders Agreements, US
Cable shall have no obligation to deliver the Affiliate Stock and the amount of
the Purchase Price shall be reduced by the amount received by BTH from Xxxxx or
his Affiliates with respect to such Affiliate Stock. If BTH receives such
payment from Xxxxx prior to the Initial Closing Date, then the Initial Purchase
Price shall be reduced by the amount of such payment; otherwise, BTH shall
promptly refund such amount to Comcast plus interest accrued since the Initial
Closing Date at the Applicable Rate. In the event that on the Initial Closing
Date, U.S. Cable is unable to deliver the Affiliate Stock until it has complied
with any rights of first refusal under the Xxxxx Companies Shareholders
Agreements, U.S. Cable shall deliver the certificates representing the Affiliate
Stock as provided above as soon as U.S. Cable shall have complied with its
obligations under the Xxxxx Companies Shareholders Agreement.
Section 8.3. Final Closing. The final closing of the transactions contemplated
by Section 1.1(ii) of this Agreement (the "Final Closing") shall take place at
10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the Final Closing Date. The Final Closing shall take
place in the offices of Dechert Price & Xxxxxx, 4000 Xxxx Atlantic Tower, 0000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000, or such other location as mutually
agreed upon by the parties.
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Section 8.4. Deliveries at the Final Closing.
(a) At the Final Closing, Comcast shall deliver to BTH the Final
Closing Payment as specified in Section 1.2, together with interest on such
amount accrued from the Initial Closing Date to and including the Final Closing
Date at the Applicable Rate.
(b) At the Final Closing, simultaneously with the delivery of the
Final Closing Payment as provided in Section 8.4(a), BTH shall transfer to
Comcast good, valid and marketable title to, and shall deliver to Comcast a
certificate or certificates representing, all of the Remaining Subsidiary Stock
accompanied by appropriate stock power(s) in form reasonably satisfactory to
Comcast, which shares of Remaining Subsidiary Stock shall be free and clear of
any Claims.
(c) Notwithstanding the terms of Section 8.4(b), Comcast shall have
the right to elect in its sole discretion at least two days prior to the Final
Closing by written notice to BTH, not to receive the Remaining Subsidiary Stock
at the Final Closing but instead to require US Cable, Intercable and any of
their Affiliates to deliver to Comcast at the Final Closing good, valid and
marketable title to, and to deliver to Comcast a certificate or certificates
representing, all of the shares of capital stock of the Company owned
beneficially or of record by US Cable, Intercable or any of their Affiliates as
of the date of the Final Closing (including, without limitation, the Control
Shares and any shares acquired pursuant to Sections 2.8, 3.1, 3.8, 4.2 or 5.1(b)
of the Shareholders Agreement with funds provided by Comcast) accompanied by
appropriate stock power(s) in form reasonably satisfactory to Comcast, together
with any cash or non-cash dividends or other distributions upon or in respect of
any shares of capital stock of the Company paid since the date of this
Agreement, which shares of capital stock and other property shall be free and
clear of any Claims; provided that if Comcast makes such election pursuant to
this Section 8.4(c), Comcast shall be required to deliver to BTH at the Final
Closing good, valid and marketable title to, and Comcast shall deliver to BTH a
certificate or certificates representing, all of the shares of Subsidiary Stock
acquired by Comcast in the Initial Closing accompanied by appropriate stock
power(s) in form reasonably satisfactory to BTH, which shares of Subsidiary
Stock shall be free and clear of any Claims.
Section 8.5. Conditions to Final Closing of Comcast. The obligations of Comcast
to consummate the Final Closing and to deliver the Final Closing Payment at the
Final Closing in accordance with this Section 8.5 are subject to the fulfillment
or waiver of each of the following conditions at or prior to the Final Closing:
(a) Litigation; No Governmental Opposition. No judgment, injunction,
order or decree (i) enjoining or prohibiting BCE, BTH, the BTH Subsidiaries or
Comcast from consummating the transactions contemplated hereby or the exercise
of the Control Option (including its exercise pursuant to Section 7.5(a)); or
(ii) invalidating or terminating the Control Option or the Xxxxx/BTH Agreements
shall have been entered prior to or on the Final Closing Date.
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(b) Approvals.
(i) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Comcast or the Company, all actions by, or filings with, any
Governmental Authority required to permit the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or to permit the Company to continue to conduct its business
as conducted immediately prior to the Final Closing, shall have been taken, made
or obtained, and any and all other permits, approvals, consents, licenses or
other actions necessary to consummate the transactions hereunder or to permit
the Company to continue to conduct its business as conducted immediately prior
to the Final Closing shall have been received or taken, and none of such
permits, approvals, consents or licenses shall contain any provisions which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or
Comcast; provided that if all authorizations, consents and approvals from
applicable Franchise Authorities necessary to effect the change of control of
the Franchises in which 95% of the Company's Basic Subscribers are located (the
"Required Percentage") shall have been so obtained, be in effect and not be
subject to withdrawal or appeal then the condition contained in this Section
8.5(b) shall be deemed to be fulfilled as it relates to authorizations, consents
or approvals from applicable Franchise Authorities on the earlier of (x) the
date which is 30 days after the date on which the Required Percentage is
obtained or (y) the date which is the date on which 100% of such authorizations,
consents or approvals are so obtained and provided further that this condition
shall not be satisfied if less than the Required Percentage of Franchise
approvals shall have been obtained.
(ii) There shall not be in effect any statute, rule or regulation
which would have the effect of prohibiting Comcast from consummating the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) Representations and Warranties.
(i) Each of the representations and warranties of BTH contained
in this Agreement other than the representations and warranties contained in
Section 3.7 or 3.10 shall, in the case of those representations and warranties
that are not qualified by materiality, be true, complete and correct in all
material respects, and in the case of those representations and warranties that
are qualified by materiality shall be true, complete and correct in all
respects, as of each of (i) the date of this Agreement and (ii) unless otherwise
being specified as being made as of a specific date, the Final Closing Date, in
each case as though newly made at such time, except to the extent the facts
underlying such representations and warranties have changed (i) with Comcast's
consent in accordance with Section 7.3 or otherwise, (ii) as a result of the
consummation of the Initial Closing or (iii) as a result of the sale of the
Affiliate Stock in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.11(b).
(ii) Each of the covenants and agreements to be performed by BTH
and the BTH Subsidiaries hereunder to be performed at or prior to the Final
Closing shall have been duly performed in all material respects.
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(d) Other Deliveries. In addition to those documents and instruments
which are required to be delivered to Comcast at the Final Closing pursuant to
Section 8.4, BTH and each of the BTH Subsidiaries shall have executed (where
applicable) and delivered to Comcast (or shall have caused to be executed and
delivered to Comcast by the appropriate Person) the following:
(i) if Comcast has not made the election described in Section
8.4(c), a copy of the memorandum of association of each of the BTH Subsidiaries
which is certified as of a recent date by the applicable British Virgin Islands
authority;
(ii) if Comcast has not made the election described in Section
8.4(c), a customary certificate of the applicable British Virgin Islands
authority, certifying as to matters such as the due incorporation and good
standing of each of the BTH Subsidiaries;
(iii) if Comcast has not made the election described in Section
8.4(c), a certificate of the Secretary of each of the BTH Subsidiaries,
certifying that their respective articles of incorporation and the copies of the
resolutions of their respective boards of directors and stockholders authorizing
the execution of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and
which are each attached thereto are true, correct and complete copies and are
each in full force and effect and have not been amended or modified, and that
the officers of each of the BTH Subsidiaries are those persons named in the
certificate;
(iv) a certificate dated as of the Final Closing Date signed by
the president or chief executive officer of BTH certifying that all of the
conditions in Section 8.5(c) have been fulfilled prior to or on the Final
Closing Date; and
(v) in the event Comcast has not made the election pursuant to
Section 8.4(c) hereof, all corporate record books of the BTH Subsidiaries,
including minutes of all meetings of stockholders, directors and committees of
the board of directors, if any, and the stock records of the BTH Subsidiaries
and the resignations of all of the directors and officers of the BTH
Subsidiaries effective as of the date prior to the Final Closing Date.
(e) HSR Act. Any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act
(including any extensions thereof) shall have expired or been terminated.
(f) Exercise of the Control Option.
Either (i) BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries shall have caused
Intercable to exercise the Control Option pursuant to Comcast's instructions and
Intercable shall have either consummated the purchase of the Control Shares
pursuant to the Control Option Agreements or arranged for the transfer at the
closing of such purchase of the Control Shares to Comcast or a person designated
by Comcast pursuant to the terms of the Control Option Agreements (whether
following Xxxxx failure to elect to purchase the Control Option in accordance
with section 7.5(b) or otherwise) and Comcast or such person shall have
consummated the purchase of the Control
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Shares; or (ii) BTH and its Affiliates and their respective agents shall have
complied with the covenants set forth in Section 7.5 hereof and the Control
Option shall have terminated in accordance with its terms without Comcast
instructing BTH to exercise the Control Option.
(g) Additional Condition. The Company shall not have taken or agreed
to take, and shall not have permitted any of the Company's subsidiaries to take
or agree to take, directly or indirectly, any of the actions described in
paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii), (v), (viii), (ix) or (x) of Section 2.6(a) of the
Shareholders Agreement; provided that this condition shall be deemed satisfied
even if the Company shall have taken or agreed to take any such action so long
as (i) BTH and its Affiliates shall not have acted contrary to or failed to take
action in accordance with, the wishes of Comcast expressed in any applicable
Notice of Preference delivered or deemed to have been delivered by Comcast
pursuant to Section 7.3 within the applicable Preference Period and have
complied with the covenants set forth in Sections 7.11(e) and, if requested by
Comcast and at Comcast's expense, sought judicial enforcement of their rights
under Section 2.6 of the Shareholders Agreement as provided therein and (ii) a
court of competent jurisdiction shall have finally adjudicated all claims or
suits brought pursuant to clause (i), and (iii) no court of competent
jurisdiction shall have determined, in connection with any such final
adjudication that BTH's rights pursuant to Section 2.6 of the Shareholders
Agreement are void or unenforceable with respect to such Company action by
virtue of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 8.6. Conditions of BTH to the Final Closing. The obligations of BTH or
and the BTH Subsidiaries to consummate the Final Closing are subject to the
fulfillment of the following conditions:
(a) Litigation; No Governmental Opposition. No judgment, injunction,
order or decree (i) enjoining or prohibiting BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries from
consummating the transactions contemplated hereby or the exercise of the Control
Option (including its exercise pursuant to Section 7.5(a)) or (ii) invalidating
or terminating the Control Option shall have been entered prior to or on the
Final Closing Date.
(b) HSR Act. Any period under the HSR Act (including any extensions
thereof) shall have expired or been terminated.
(c) No Violation of Law. There shall not be in effect any statute,
rule or regulation which would have the effect or prohibiting Intercable or BTH
from consummating transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) Approvals. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, and except for any authorizations, consents, orders or
approvals from applicable Franchise Authorities, all actions by or in respect
of, or filings with, any Governmental Authority required to permit the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been taken, made
or obtained, and any and all other permits, approvals, consents, licenses or
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other actions necessary to consummate the transactions hereunder shall have been
received or taken.
(e) Representations and Warranties. (i) The representations and
warranties of Comcast contained in the first and last sentences of Section 4.1
and Sections 4.2 and 4.3(a) in this Agreement shall, in the case of those
representations and warranties that are not qualified by materiality, be true,
complete and correct in all material respects, and in the case of those
representations and warranties that are qualified by materiality, be true,
complete and correct in all respects, as of each of (i) the date of this
Agreement and (ii) unless otherwise specified as being made as of a specific
date, as of the Final Closing Date as though newly made at such time.
(ii) Each of the covenants and agreements to be performed by
Comcast under Section 7.3(d), 7.5(b), 7.7(b), 7.9(b), 7.10 and 7.11(d) to be
performed at or prior to the Final Closing shall have been duly performed in all
material respects.
(f) Other Deliveries. In addition to those documents and instruments
which are required to be delivered to BTH at the Initial Closing pursuant to
Section 8.2, Comcast shall have executed (where applicable) and delivered to BTH
(or shall have caused to be executed and delivered to BTH by the appropriate
Person) a certificate dated as of the Final Closing Date signed by the president
or chief executive officer of Comcast certifying that all of the conditions in
Section 8.6(e) have been fulfilled prior to or on the Final Closing Date.
Section 8.7. [Intentionally omitted]
Section 8.8. Alternative Final Closing Procedures.
If an event or circumstance has occurred such that satisfaction of a
condition in Section 8.5 or 8.6 is not reasonably possible despite the parties
reasonable best efforts to ensure the same, the parties will take the following
actions as an alternative to the Final Closing:
(a) If the Final Closing has not occurred due to (i) a failure to
satisfy the conditions specified in Section 8.6(d) or (ii) a failure to satisfy
the conditions specified in Section 8.5(f) because Intercable shall have
exercised the Control Option pursuant to Comcast's instructions but shall have
failed to consummate the purchase of the Control Shares due to the failure of
Intercable to satisfy one or more of the conditions contained in Sections
3.2(b)(i)-(vi) of the Control Option Agreements and Intercable is unable to
assign its rights under the Control Option Agreements pursuant to Section
10.2(a)(iii), then BTH shall pay to Comcast an amount equal to $150,000,000 plus
interest at the Applicable Rate from the Initial Closing Date and deliver to
Comcast any shares of capital stock of the Company acquired by BTH or the BTH
Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 2.8, 3.1, 3.8, 4.2 or 5.1(b) of the
Shareholders Agreement with funds provided by Comcast together with any
dividends or distributions upon or with respect to such shares, and BTH shall
deliver to Comcast all of the Remaining Subsidiary Stock (and Comcast shall have
the right to make the same election with respect to the Remaining Subsidiary
-26-
Stock as described in Section 8.4(c)) and Comcast shall have no obligation to
pay to BTH the Final Closing Payment.
(b) If the Final Closing has not occurred due to (i) a failure to
satisfy the conditions contained in Sections 8.5(a)(ii); or (ii) a failure of
the conditions contained in Section 8.5(c), 8.5(d) or 8.5(f) to be satisfied or
waived or (iii) due to a failure of the conditions contained in Section 8.6(e)
or 8.6(f) to be satisfied or waived, then BTH shall pay to Comcast an amount
equal to $250,000,000 plus interest at the Applicable Rate from the Initial
Closing Date and deliver to Comcast any shares of capital stock of the Company
acquired by BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries pursuant to Sections 2.8, 3.1, 3.8, 4.2
or 5.1(b) of the Shareholders Agreement with funds provided by Comcast together
with any dividends or distributions upon or with respect to such shares, and
Comcast shall deliver to BTH all of the 49% Subsidiary Stock acquired by Comcast
at the Initial Closing together with any dividends or distributions upon or with
respect to such shares and Comcast shall have no obligation to pay to BTH the
Final Closing Payment; provided, however, that (A) in the case of a judgment,
injunction, order or decree referred to in clause (i) above that is based upon
the effect of any (x) agreement, arrangement or understanding other than the
Xxxxx/BTH Agreements, or (y) any parole evidence or other matters extrinsic to
the Xxxxx/BTH Agreements, in the case of either clause (x) or (y) above,
existing prior to the date of this Agreement or (B) the failure of the
conditions specified in Section 8.5(c) or 8.5(d) to be satisfied or waived; then
in lieu of the $250,000,000 payment referred to above BTH shall pay to Comcast
an amount equal to $272,000,000.
(c) In the event that (i) a judgment, injunction, order or decree of
any court of competent jurisdiction invalidating, terminating, nullifying or
voiding this Agreement has become final and non-appealable or (ii) the Final
Closing fails to occur due to a failure to satisfy the condition specified in
Section 8.5(g), then in the case of either (i) or (ii), BTH shall pay to Comcast
an amount equal to $250,000,000 plus interest at the Applicable Rate from the
Initial Closing Date and deliver to Comcast any shares of capital stock of the
Company acquired by BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries pursuant to Sections 2.8, 3.1,
3.8, 4.2 or 5.1(b) of the Shareholders Agreement with funds provided by Comcast
together with any dividends or distributions upon or with respect to such
shares, and Comcast shall deliver to BTH all of the 49% Subsidiary Stock
acquired by Comcast at the Initial Closing together with any dividends or
distributions upon or with respect to such stock and Comcast shall have no
obligation to pay to BTH the Final Closing Payment.
(d) If the Final Closing has not occurred due to the inability of
Comcast to take delivery of or take title to the Control Shares, the Class A
Shares or any other shares of capital stock of the Company or the Remaining
Subsidiary Stock but Intercable shall have exercised the Control Option and
purchased the Control Shares, then Comcast shall pay to BTH an amount equal to
the Final Closing Payment together with interest accrued at the Applicable Rate
from the Initial Closing Date through the Final Closing Date and BTH agrees that
Intercable shall take delivery of the Control Shares and US Cable and Intercable
shall hold the Control Shares and other shares of capital stock of the Company
owned by US Cable and Intercable
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including, without limitation, the Class A Shares and any shares of capital
stock of the Company acquired by BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries pursuant to Section
2.8, 3.1, 3.8, 4.2 or 5.1(b) of the Shareholders Agreement with funds provided
by Comcast, in each case together with any dividends or distributions upon or
with respect to such shares (the "Trust Stock") in trust for Comcast's benefit
and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, subject to Comcast's direction.
At such time as either the Trust Stock is sold or disposed of or
Comcast is permitted under applicable law to take possession of the Trust Stock,
Comcast may at its option elect to either take possession of the Remaining
Subsidiary Stock or exchange the shares of Subsidiary Stock which Comcast
received in the Initial Closing for all of the shares of capital stock of the
Company beneficially owned by BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries (including, if any
portion of the Trust Stock shall have been sold or disposed of prior to such
exchange, the Net Proceeds of such sale or disposition). Comcast agrees that, if
the Trust Stock (including any Net Proceeds) has not been transferred to Comcast
or sold or otherwise disposed of by the BTH Subsidiaries at Comcast's direction
within one year of the date Intercable consummates the purchase of the Control
Shares, Comcast shall direct BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries to transfer either the
Remaining Subsidiary Stock or the Trust Stock (including any Net Proceeds) to an
independent trustee or other third party designated by Comcast.
(e) In the event BTH shall have paid $150,000,000 to Comcast pursuant
to Section 7.3 hereof, the payments referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and
(d) above shall be reduced by such amount and all interest on such payments
shall be calculated on such reduced amount.
(f) In the event BTH or Comcast shall be prevented from transferring
or receiving title to or possession of any of the Remaining Subsidiary Stock or
shares of capital stock of the Company to Comcast, as contemplated in paragraph
(a), (b), (c) or (d) above, the parties shall use their reasonable best efforts
to give the parties the benefits they would have received if such shares of the
Remaining Subsidiary Stock or shares of capital stock of the Company had been so
transferred, including to the extent legally permissible the transfer of shares
of the Company and rights held by the BTH Subsidiaries and placing such shares
of the capital stock of the BTH Subsidiaries or shares of capital stock of the
Company in trust.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
Section 9.1. Termination.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated as follows: (i) by mutual written
consent of Comcast and BCE; (ii) on December 31, 1998, if the Initial Closing
has not occurred; and (iii) if a statute, rule or regulation is enacted or
adopted subsequent to the date of this Agreement but prior to the Initial
Closing Date which would have the effect of prohibiting Comcast from purchasing
or owning the Control Shares then Comcast may terminate this Agreement and the
parties hereto shall have no further obligation to any other party hereto.
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(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any injunction, order
or similar restraint has been issued by a court of competent jurisdiction (other
than by virtue of any suit brought by a party to this Agreement), the
termination date referred to in the foregoing clause (a) shall, upon the mutual
agreement of the parties, be extended until the earlier of (i) the 10th day
after such injunction, order or restraint shall have been dissolved or (ii) the
date such injunction, order or restraint shall have become permanent and no
longer subject to appeal, as the case may be.
Section 9.2. Effect Of Termination.
All obligations of the parties hereunder shall cease upon any
termination pursuant to this Article IX; provided, however, that (a) the
provisions of this Section 9.2 and Sections 13.3, 13.4 and 13.13 shall survive
any termination of this Agreement and (b) nothing herein shall relieve any party
from any liability for any prior breach of this Agreement.
Section 9.3. Right to Proceed. Subject to Section 7.12, anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if any of the conditions specified in
Article V or Section 8.5 hereof have not been satisfied, Comcast shall have the
right to proceed with the transactions contemplated hereby without waiving any
of its rights hereunder.
ARTICLE X
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS SUBSEQUENT TO CLOSING
Section 10.1. Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. Each of the
representations, warranties, agreements, covenants and obligations of Comcast
and BTH set forth herein are material and shall be deemed to have been relied
upon by the other party in entering into this Agreement. Each of the
representations and warranties set forth herein shall survive until the first
anniversary of the Final Closing Date (other than those contained in Sections
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1 and 4.2, which shall survive indefinitely). The
expiration of any representation or warranty shall not affect any claim made
prior to the date of such expiration. All covenants, agreements and other
obligations contained herein not fully performed shall survive the Final Closing
and continue thereafter until fully performed. Any investigation, audit or other
examination that may have been made or may be made at any time by or on behalf
of the party to whom any such representation or warranty is made shall not limit
or diminish such representations and warranties, and the parties may rely on the
representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement irrespective of any
information obtained by them by any investigation, audit or examination or
otherwise.
Section 10.2. Regulatory Filings. Each of BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries and
Comcast will cooperate to enable the other party to make any and all regulatory
filings required with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby
(including, by way of example and not of limitation, the filing of tax returns).
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ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 11.1. Indemnification by BTH. BTH agrees to indemnify and hold Comcast
and its respective subsidiaries and Affiliates (including, from and after the
Initial Closing and the Final Closing, the BTH Subsidiaries) and individuals
serving as officers, directors, partners, stockholders or employees thereof
(individually a "Comcast Indemnified Party" and collectively the "Comcast
Indemnified Parties") harmless from and against any damages, liabilities,
losses, taxes, fines, penalties, costs, and expenses (including, without
limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of any kind or nature
whatsoever (whether or not arising out of third-party claims and including all
amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of the foregoing)
("Losses") which may be sustained or suffered by any of them arising out of or
based upon any of the following matters:
(a) any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of BTH or
the BTH Subsidiaries under this Agreement or in any certificate, schedule or
exhibit delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, or by reason of any claim, action
or proceeding asserted or instituted growing out of any matter or thing
constituting such a breach;
(b) the reasonable cost of enforcing any of the rights of any Comcast
Indemnified Party hereunder; and
(c) any liabilities or obligations of any nature whatsoever of the BTH
Subsidiaries other than, in the event Comcast has not made an election pursuant
to Section 8.4(c) to return to BTH the shares of Subsidiary Stock, those
liabilities or obligations incurred by the BTH Subsidiaries after the Final
Closing.
Section 11.2. Limitations on Indemnification by BTH. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the right of the Comcast
Indemnified Parties to indemnification under Section 11.1 shall be subject to
the following provisions:
(a) BTH shall have no obligation to indemnify a Comcast Indemnified
Party under Section 11.1 with respect to any claim for breach of a
representation or warranty made after the first anniversary of the Final Closing
Date other than a representation or warranty contained in Sections 3.1, 3.2,
3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 (the "Comcast Indemnification Cut-Off Date"); provided,
however, that such expiration shall not affect any claim with respect to which
notice was given in the manner contemplated by Section 11.5 hereof prior to the
Comcast Indemnification Cut-Off Date.
(b) No indemnification shall be payable pursuant to Section 11.l(a)
above to any Comcast Indemnified Party if such claim is based solely upon a
breach of a representation and warranty contained in Article III (other than a
representation or warranty contained in Sections or 3.2 and 3.3 or breaches of
representations of which BTH had Knowledge as of the date of this Agreement),
unless and until the total of all such claims for indemnification pursuant
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to Section 11.1(a) which are based upon a breach of the representation and
warranty, other than a representation and warranty contained in Section 3.2 and
3.3 or breaches of representations of which BTH had Knowledge as of the date of
this Agreement, shall exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate, whereupon the amount
of such claims exceeding such $5,000,000 threshold shall be recoverable in
accordance with the terms hereof.
(c) In no event will the aggregate obligations of BTH to the Comcast
Indemnified Parties pursuant to Section 11.1(a) for breaches of representations
or warranties other than representations and warranties contained in Sections
3.2 and 3.3 and other than those breaches of representations and warranties of
which BTH had Knowledge prior to the date of this Agreement exceed $250,000,000.
In no event will the aggregate obligations of BTH to the Comcast Indemnified
Parties pursuant to Section 11.1(a) for breaches of representations and
warranties contained herein exceed $500,000,000.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, BTH shall not be liable for any special or consequential damages for
breaches of representations or warranties other than those contained in Sections
3.2 and 3.3. Comcast shall be required to take all reasonable steps to mitigate
its Losses.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
agreement, to the extent that any Comcast Indemnified Party has been compensated
for its Losses from an insurance company or any other third party, BTH's
indemnification obligation in respect of any such Losses shall be reduced by an
equal amount.
(f) The obligation of BTH to indemnify the Comcast Indemnified Parties
for matters contemplated by Section 7.3 and 8.8 shall be limited to the
exclusive remedies set forth herein.
Section 11.3. Indemnification by Comcast. Comcast agrees to indemnify and hold
BTH and its respective subsidiaries and Affiliates and individuals serving as
officers, directors, partners, stockholders or employees thereof (individually a
"BTH Indemnified Party" and collectively the "BTH Indemnified Parties") harmless
from and against any Losses which may be sustained or suffered by any of them
arising out of or based upon any of the following matters:
(a) any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of Comcast
under this Agreement, or by reason of any claim, action or proceeding asserted
or instituted growing out of any matter or thing constituting such a breach;
(b) the reasonable cost of enforcing any of the rights of the BTH
Indemnified Parties hereunder; and
(c) any Losses incurred by BTH in respect of liabilities of any BTH
Subsidiary arising following the consummation of the Final Purchase, if Comcast
has not made an election pursuant to Section 8.4(c) to return to BTH the shares
of Subsidiary Stock.
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Section 11.4. Limitation on Indemnification by Comcast. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the right of the BCE Indemnified Parties to indemnification under
Section 11.3 shall be subject to the following provisions: (a) Comcast shall
have no obligation to indemnify a BTH Indemnified Party under Section 11.3 with
respect to claim for a breach of a representation or warranty (other than
representations and warranties contained in Sections 4.1 and 4.2) which claim is
made after the first anniversary of the Final Closing Date (the "BTH
Indemnification Cut-Off Date"); provided, however, that such expiration shall
not affect any claim with respect to which notice was given in the manner
contemplated by Section 11.5 hereof prior to the BTH Indemnification Cut-Off
Date.
(a) In no event will the aggregate obligations of Comcast to the BTH
Indemnified Parties pursuant to Section 11.3 exceed $250,000,000.
(b) No indemnification shall be payable pursuant to Section 11.3 such
claim is based upon a breach of representation and warranty, unless and until
the total of all such claims for indemnification pursuant to Section 11.3 which
are based upon a breach of representation or warranty shall exceed $5,000,000 in
the aggregate, whereupon the amount of such claims exceeding such $5,000,000
threshold shall be recoverable in accordance with the terms hereof.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
agreement, Comcast shall not be liable for any special or consequential damages
for breaches of representation or warranty. BTH shall be required to take all
reasonable steps to mitigate its Losses.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
agreement, to the extent that any BTH Indemnified Party has been compensated for
its Losses from an insurance company or any other third party, Comcast's
indemnification obligation in respect of any such Losses shall be reduced by an
equal amount.
(e) The obligation of Comcast to indemnify the BTH Indemnified Parties
for matters contemplated by Section 8.8 shall be limited to the exclusive
remedies set forth therein.
Section 11.5. Notice: Defense of Claims. An indemnified party may make claims
for indemnification hereunder by giving written notice thereof to the
indemnifying party within the period in which indemnification claims can be made
hereunder. If indemnification is sought for a claim or liability asserted by a
third party, the indemnified party shall also give written notice thereof to the
indemnifying party promptly after it receives notice of the claim or liability
being asserted, but the failure to do so shall not relieve the indemnifying
party from any liability except to the extent that it is prejudiced by the
failure or delay in giving such notice. Such notice shall summarize the bases
for the claim for indemnification and any claim or liability being asserted by a
third party. Within twenty (20) days after receiving such notice the
indemnifying party shall give written notice to the indemnified party stating
whether it disputes the claim for indemnification and whether it will defend
against any third party claim or liability at its own cost and expense. If the
indemnifying party fails to give notice that it disputes an indemnification
claim within twenty
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(20) days after receipt of notice thereof, it shall be deemed to have accepted
and agreed to the claim, which shall become immediately due and payable. The
indemnifying party shall be entitled to direct the defense against a third party
claim or liability with counsel selected by it (subject to the consent of each
indemnified party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) as long as
the indemnifying party has acknowledged in writing that it is obligated to
indemnify the indemnified party for such claim pursuant to this Article XI and
is conducting a good faith and diligent defense and only money damages are at
issue. Each indemnified party shall at all times have the right to fully
participate in the defense of a third party claim or liability at its own
expense directly or through counsel; provided, however, that if the named
parties to the action or proceeding include either both the indemnifying party
and/or one or more indemnified parties and an indemnified party is advised in
writing by counsel to the indemnified party that representation of both parties
by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of
professional conduct, an indemnified party may engage separate counsel at the
expense of the indemnifying party. If no such notice of intent to dispute and
defend a third party claim or liability is given by the indemnifying party, or
if a good faith and diligent defense is not being or ceases to be conducted by
the indemnifying party or if the claim or liability includes other than money
damages, the indemnified party shall have the right, at the expense of the
indemnifying party, to undertake the defense of such claim or liability (with
counsel selected by the indemnified party), and to compromise or settle it,
exercising reasonable business judgment. If the third party claim or liability
is one that by its nature cannot be defended solely by the indemnifying party,
then the indemnified party shall make available such information and assistance
as the indemnifying party may reasonably request and shall cooperate with the
indemnifying party in such defense, at the expense of the indemnifying party.
Section 11.6. No Right of Contribution. After the Initial Closing, neither of
BTH nor Comcast shall have any claim for contribution against the BTH
Subsidiaries in respect of any liability any such party may have to any BTH
Indemnified Party or Comcast Indemnified Party under this Agreement.
ARTICLE XII
DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Agreement, including the Schedules attached
hereto, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
"Affiliate" shall mean with respect to any Person (herein the "first
party") (i) any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such first party or (ii) any
officer or director of the first party or of any Person described in clause (i)
of this sentence. The term "control" as used herein (including the terms
"controlled by" and "under common control with") means the possession, directly
or indirectly, of the power to (a) vote fifty percent (50%) or more of the
outstanding voting securities of such Person, (b) elect fifty percent (50%) or
more of the board of directors or other equivalent committee or group of such
Person or (c) otherwise direct the management or policies of such Person by
contract or
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otherwise; provided however, that for purposes of this Agreement; the parties
hereto agree that the Company shall be deemed not to be an Affiliate of BTH.
"Associate" as used herein shall mean with reference to any Person:
(i) any corporation or organization of which such Person, or relative or spouse
of such Person or relative of a spouse of such Person, is an officer or partner
or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of twenty-five percent (25%)
or more of any class of equity securities; (ii) any trust or other estate in
which such Person, or relative or spouse of such Person or relative of a spouse
of such Person, has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which such
Person, or relative or spouse of such Person or relative of a spouse of such
Person, serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any
relative or spouse of such Person or any relative of such spouse of such Person.
"Applicable Rate" means an interest rate per annum at which deposits
in United States dollars appears on page 3750 (or any successor page thereto) of
the Dow Xxxxx Telerate Screen for a ninety day period, plus 1%. The Applicable
Rate for any period shall be determined as of the Initial Purchase Date, and
adjusted quarterly on the first business day of each January, April, July and
October through the date of any final payment of the Purchase Price, whether on
the Final Closing Date or pursuant to Section 8.8.
"Claim" shall mean any lien, charge, claim, security interest,
assignment, conditional sale agreement, deposit agreement, mortgage, security
agreement, option, restriction, charge, deposit, pledge or encumbrance of any
kind or nature whatsoever other than under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
"Franchise" means written "franchise" within the meaning of Section
602(8) of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 (47 U.S.C. (S)522(9)).
"Franchising Authority" has the meaning that term is given by Section
602(9) of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 (47 U.S.C. (S)522(10)).
"Xxxxx/BTH Agreements" means the Shareholders Agreement, the Control
Option Agreements, the Shareholders Agreement Assignment and the Option
Agreement Assignment.
"Xxxxx Companies Shareholders Agreements" shall mean that certain
Shareholders Agreement among Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxx International, Ltd., Xxxx
Canada International Inc. and Xxxxx Education Networks, Inc. and that certain
Shareholders Agreement among Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxx International, Ltd., Xxxx
Canada International Inc. and Xxxxx Entertainment Group, Ltd., each dated as of
December 20, 1994.
"Knowledge" means, with respect to BTH, the actual knowledge of (i)
any present director of the Company who was designated by BTH or any of its
Affiliates and (ii) of any officer or, employee of BTH or its Affiliates who
actively participated in the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement.
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"Material Adverse Effect" with respect to any Person shall be deemed
to occur if any event, change or effect, individually or in the aggregate with
such other events, changes or effects, has occurred which would reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets (including
intangible assets), liabilities (contingent or otherwise), results of
operations, financial condition of such Person and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
"Payments" means, (i) with respect to the Fee Letter, any and all
payments received by BTH or its Affiliates pursuant to the Fee Letter, and (ii)
with respect to the Supply Services Agreement, any and all payments received by
BTH or its Affiliates pursuant to the Supply Services Agreement after reducing
such amounts for 115% of the actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by BTH and
its Affiliates in connection with the provision of the services required to be
rendered by BTH or its Affiliates to the Company under the Supply Services
Agreement.
"Person" shall mean any individual, partnership (general or limited),
corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership,
association, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization, and any
government, governmental department or agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Subsidiary Stock" means the shares of capital stock of the BTH
Subsidiaries.
"Transfer" shall mean to exchange, sell, assign, transfer, pledge,
hypothecate, make gifts of or in any manner whatsoever dispose of or encumber or
grant any rights or interests, create any voting trust or other agreement or
arrangement with respect to the transfer of voting rights or any other
beneficial interest, create any other claim or make any other transfer or
disposition whatsoever, whether voluntary or involuntary, affecting right,
title, interest or possession.
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 13.1. Further Assurances. BTH shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to,
from time to time after the Closing Date, at the request of Comcast and without
further consideration, execute and deliver further instruments of transfer and
assignment and take such other action as Comcast may reasonably require to fully
implement the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 13.2. Counting of Days. Whenever a specified period of days is required
to be counted hereunder, in the event that the final day in such specified
number of days falls on a date when the banking institutions in the state of New
York or Canada are required to be closed, then the final day in such specified
number of days shall be deemed to occur on the first day following such day when
the banking institutions in the state of New York or Canada are required to be
closed.
Section 13.3. Fees and Expenses. The rights and obligations of the parties
hereto with respect to fees and expenses are as follows: Comcast shall pay its
own expenses incident to the negotiation and consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the
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agreements, instruments and documents contemplated hereby. BTH shall pay its and
the BTH Subsidiaries expenses incident to the negotiation and consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the agreements, instruments
and documents contemplated hereby. BTH and Comcast shall share equally any
filing fees required under the HSR Act and any transfer taxes, fees and duties
arising by reason of transfer of the Subsidiary Stock.
Section 13.4. Dispute Resolution. All disputes arising in connection with this
Agreement, other than disputes involving a request for the granting of an
injunction or specific performance, shall be resolved by binding arbitration in
accordance with the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association.
The arbitration shall be held in the State of New York before a panel of at
least three arbitrators and shall be conducted in accordance with the American
Arbitration Association Commercial Arbitration Rules. Comcast and BTH will each
be entitled to appoint one of the three panel members and such members shall
cooperate to jointly select a third mutually acceptable to both parties.
Section 13.5. Waivers. Any waiver of any terms or conditions or of the breach of
any covenant, representation or warranty of this Agreement in any one instance,
shall not operate as or be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing
waiver of any other breach of such term, condition, covenant, representation or
warranty or any other term, condition, covenant, representation or warranty, nor
shall any failure or delay at any time or times to enforce or require
performance of any provision hereof operate as a waiver of or affect in any
manner such party's right at a later time to enforce or require performance of
such provision or of any provision hereof; provided, however, that no such
waiver, unless it, by its own terms, explicitly provides to the contrary, shall
be construed to effect a continuing waiver of the provision being waived and no
such waiver in any instance shall constitute a waiver in any other instance or
for any other purpose or impair the right of the party against whom such waiver
is claimed in all other instances or for all other purposes to require full
compliance.
Section 13.6. Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. (a) This Agreement
shall be construed under and governed by the internal laws of the State of New
York without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. Each of the parties
hereby consents to personal jurisdiction, service of process and venue in the
federal or state courts of the State of New York for any claim, suit or
proceeding arising under this Agreement, and hereby irrevocably agrees that all
claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in
such court. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably consents to the service of
process in any such action or proceeding by the mailing by certified mail of
copies of any service or copies of the summons and complaint and any other
process to such party at the address specified in Section 13.8 hereof. The
parties agree that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be
conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit or in any other
manner permitted by law and shall affect the right of a party to service legal
process or to bring any action or proceeding in the courts of other
jurisdictions.
Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives all right to trial by
jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based on contract, tort
or otherwise) arising out
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of or relating to this Agreement, any Xxxxx/BTH Agreement, the Xxxxx Companies
Shareholders Agreement or the actions of any party in the negotiation,
performance or enforcement hereof or thereof.
Section 13.7. Notices. Any notice, request, demand or other communication
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been given if delivered or sent by facsimile transmission, upon transmission
with electronic confirmation of delivery, or if sent by registered or certified
mail postage prepaid, upon the sooner of the date on which receipt is
acknowledged or the expiration of five days after deposit in United States post
office facilities properly addressed with postage prepaid or if sent by
overnight courier, the day after delivery of such notice to such courier. All
notices to a party will be sent to the addresses set forth below or to such
other address or person as such party may designate by notice to each other
party hereunder:
To BTH:
BCI Telecom Holding, Inc.
0000, xxx xx xx Xxxxxxxxxxx Ouest
Bureau 1100
Montreal (Quebec) Canada H3B 4Y8
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile No. (000) 000-0000
Telephone No. (000) 000-0000
With a copy to:
BCI Telecom Holding, Inc.
0000, xxx xx xx Xxxxxxxxxxx Ouest
Bureau 1100
Montreal (Quebec) Canada H3B 4Y8
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Facsimile No. (000) 000-0000
Telephone No. (000) 000-0000
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To Comcast:
Comcast Corporation
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: President
Facsimile No: (000) 000-0000
Telephone No. (000) 000-0000
with a copy to:
Comcast Corporation
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No: (000) 000-0000
Telephone No. (000) 000-0000
Any notice given hereunder may be given on behalf of any party by his counsel or
other authorized representatives.
Section 13.8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Schedules and
Exhibits referred to herein and the other writings specifically identified
herein or contemplated hereby, is complete, reflects the entire agreement of the
parties with respect to its subject matter, and supersedes all previous written
or oral negotiations, commitments and writings. No promises, representations,
understandings, warranties and agreements have been made by any of the parties
hereto except as referred to herein or in such Schedules and Exhibits or in such
other writings; and all inducements to the making of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby which were relied upon by either party hereto
have been expressed herein or in such Schedules or Exhibits or in such other
writings.
Section 13.9. Assignability; Binding Effect. This Agreement or any of the
obligations or rights hereunder (a) may not be assigned or delegated by Comcast
without the prior written consent of BTH, other than an assignment and/or
delegation to an Affiliate of Comcast provided that Comcast shall remain
obligated to pay the Purchase Price and to indemnify BTH pursuant to Section
11.3, and (b) may not be assigned by BTH or the BTH Subsidiaries without the
prior written consent of Comcast. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
enforceable by, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.
Section 13.10. Captions and Gender. The captions in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of any
term or provision hereof. The use in this Agreement of the masculine pronoun in
reference to a party hereto shall be deemed to include the feminine or neuter,
as the context may require.
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Section 13.11. Execution in Counterparts. For the convenience of the parties and
to facilitate execution, this Agreement may (a) be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall
constitute one and the same document, and (b) executed by facsimile.
Section 13.12. Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified, nor
may compliance with any condition or covenant set forth herein be waived, except
by a writing duly and validly executed by Comcast, BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries
or in the case of a waiver, the party waiving compliance.
Section 13.13. Publicity and Disclosures. No press releases or public
disclosure, either written or oral, of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, shall be made by a party to this Agreement without the prior
Knowledge and written consent of Comcast, BTH and the BTH Subsidiaries which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except as is otherwise required by
applicable laws, rules and regulations (including, without limitation, the HSR
Act, the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder).
Section 13.14. Equitable Relief. Each party hereto expressly acknowledges that
damages alone will be an inadequate remedy for any breach or violation by them
of any of the provisions of this Agreement, and the opposing party, in addition
to all other remedies hereunder or thereunder, shall be entitled, as a matter of
right, to injunctive relief, including specific performance with respect to any
such breach or violation, in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 13.15. Severability. The invalidity of any term or terms of this
Agreement shall not invalidate or otherwise affect any other term of this
Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 13.16. Surety of Payment. Within thirty days of the date of this
Agreement BTH shall either have posted a letter of credit securing its
obligations under Sections 7.3 and 8.8 or have obtained a guaranty by BCE, Inc.,
the parent company of BTH, of Comcast's right to collect sums from BTH under
Sections 7.3(e), 8.2(b) and 8.8.
Section 13.17. Miscellaneous. In the event BTH acts in accordance with Comcast's
Notice of Preference delivered or deemed to have been delivered pursuant to
Section 7.3(e), then any such acts or their direct effects shall not result in
BTH having breached a representation, warranty or covenant contained in this
Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the date set forth above by their duly authorized
representatives.
BCI TELECOM HOLDING INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President and CEO
COMCAST CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Pick
Name: Xxxxxx X. Pick
Title: Vice President
BTH (U.S. CABLE) LIMITED
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
Title: President/Director
BTH (INTERCABLE) LIMITED
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
Title: President/Director
SCHEDULE 3.10
1. Organization and Standing of the Company. The Company and each of
its subsidiaries, is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization
with full corporate power and authority to own, lease, use and operate its
properties and to conduct its business as and where now owned, leased, used,
operated and conducted. The Company and each of its subsidiaries is duly
qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the
nature of the business conducted by it or the property it owns, leases or
operates requires it to so qualify, except where the failure to be so qualified
or in good standing in such jurisdiction individually or in the aggregate would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The
Company and each of its subsidiaries is not in default in the performance,
observance or fulfillment of any provision of their respective certificate of
incorporation or bylaws.
2. Organizational Documents. The certificate of incorporation and
bylaws of the Company are as set forth in Exhibits 3.1-3.4 to the Company's Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, as filed with the SEC and have
not been amended, modified, or rescinded and they remain in full force and
effect.
3. Capitalization. As of February 20, 1998, the Company's authorized
capital stock consisted solely of (a) 60,000,000 shares of Class A Stock, of
which (i) 35,578,398 shares were issued and outstanding, and (ii) 1,353,083
shares were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, and
no other shares were reserved for issuance for any other purposes; and (b)
5,550,000 shares of Common Stock of which 5,113,021 shares were issued and
outstanding, and no shares were reserved for issuance for any purpose. Since
February 20, 1998 through the date of the Agreement and through the Initial
Closing Date, there have been no increases to any of the foregoing amounts other
than increases in the number of shares of Class A Stock outstanding by reason of
the exercise of the foregoing options, which exercise has reduced the number of
shares of Class A Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to options by a
corresponding amount. Since the date of the Agreement, there have been no
additional issuances of shares of Class A Stock or Common Stock other than
issuances of Class A Stock upon exercises of stock options outstanding on the
date of this Agreement. Except for the stock options described in the preceding
sentence, since the date of the Agreement there have been no subscriptions,
options, warrants, or other rights, convertible securities, agreements,
arrangements, or commitments of any character relating to the issued or unissued
capital stock of the Company to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
a party, or by which any of their properties are bound or affected, or
obligating the Company or any of its subsidiaries to issue or sell any shares of
capital stock of, or other equity interests in, the Company.
4. Public Filings. Since December 31, 1995, the Company has timely
filed all material forms, reports, and documents (the "Company Public Reports")
required to be filed with the SEC and the National Association of Securities
Dealers and other US federal or state securities law authorities, exchanges or
self-regulatory bodies (the "Securities Authorities") prior
to the Initial Closing Date. The Company Public Reports (including, without
limitation, any financial statements or schedules included therein) filed on or
prior to the Initial Closing Date (i) have been prepared in compliance with the
requirements of applicable law, and (ii) did not at the time of filing (or, if
amended, supplemented, or superseded by a filing prior to the Initial Closing
Date, on the date of that filing) contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
5. Financial Statements. Each of the consolidated financial statements
contained in the Company Public Reports filed on or prior to the Initial Closing
Date and the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the years
ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and the quarter ended March 31, 1998
(together, the "Financial Statements") (including, in each case, any related
notes thereto) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis throughout the
periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), and each of
them present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position
of the Company and its Subsidiaries at their respective dates and the
consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods
indicated, except that unaudited interim financial statements included in any
quarterly reports may have been subject to normal and recurring year-end
adjustments that were not expected to be material in amount.
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