nxst2013q3.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
  
FORM 10-Q
  
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013
   
 
OR
   
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the transition period from             to             .

Commission File Number: 000-50478
 
NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
23-3083125
(State of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
5215 N. O’Connor Blvd., Suite 1400, Irving, Texas
75039
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(972) 373-8800
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that it was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x     No  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):
 
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
x
       
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
   
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x
 
As of November 4, 2013, the registrant had 30,406,495 shares of Class A Common Stock and no shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding.

 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
Page
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
ITEM 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
1
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
2
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013
3
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
4
     
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5
     
ITEM 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
32
     
ITEM 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
42
     
ITEM 4.
Controls and Procedures
43
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
ITEM 1.
Legal Proceedings
43
     
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
43
     
ITEM 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
44
     
ITEM 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
44
     
ITEM 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
44
     
ITEM 5.
Other Information
44
     
ITEM 6.
Exhibits
45
   
   

 
 

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  ITEM 1. Financial Statements
 
 
NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(in thousands, except share information, unaudited)
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
ASSETS
 
 
       
Current assets:
 
 
       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 24,619     $ 68,999  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,556 and $1,965, respectively
    102,064       74,553  
Current portion of broadcast rights
    7,911       8,477  
Deferred tax assets, net
    8,861       8,861  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    5,862       2,436  
Total current assets
    149,317       163,326  
Property and equipment, net
    219,263       180,162  
Goodwill
    188,108       148,409  
FCC licenses
    247,837       198,257  
FCC licenses of Mission
    41,563       21,939  
Other intangible assets, net
    170,048       122,491  
Deferred tax assets, net
    72,773       72,090  
Other noncurrent assets, net
    59,079       39,141  
Total assets
  $ 1,147,988     $ 945,815  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of debt
  $ 4,750     $ 2,175  
Current portion of broadcast rights payable
    7,002       9,094  
Accounts payable
    13,140       12,324  
Accrued expenses
    23,215       18,122  
Taxes payable
    288       983  
Interest payable
    19,479       8,703  
Amounts payable to sellers for acquisition of stations
    22,000       -  
Other liabilities of Mission
    4,755       3,195  
Other liabilities
    4,321       3,407  
Total current liabilities
    98,950       58,003  
Debt
    1,006,749       855,467  
Other liabilities of Mission
    8,627       7,828  
Other liabilities
    22,304       22,278  
Total liabilities
    1,136,630       943,576  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value, 200,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at each of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
    -       -  
Class A Common stock - $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 30,406,495 and 21,677,248 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
    304       217  
Class B Common stock - $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and 7,702,471 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012
    -       77  
Class C Common stock - $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at each of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
    -       -  
Additional paid-in capital
    408,956       410,514  
Accumulated deficit
    (397,902 )     (408,569 )
Total stockholders' equity
    11,358       2,239  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 1,147,988     $ 945,815  
 
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
1

 

 
NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
(in thousands, except per share information, unaudited)
 
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                         
Net revenue
  $ 125,792     $ 89,952     $ 364,208     $ 262,458  
Operating expenses:
                               
Direct operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    37,270       21,950       107,835       65,930  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    37,587       27,506       110,652       81,746  
Amortization of broadcast rights
    9,188       5,563       26,867       16,303  
Amortization of intangible assets
    7,996       5,480       22,900       16,595  
Depreciation
    8,598       5,896       24,791       17,359  
Total operating expenses
    100,639       66,395       293,045       197,933  
Income from operations
    25,153       23,557       71,163       64,525  
Interest expense, net
    (16,900 )     (12,438 )     (50,352 )     (37,921 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    (1,048 )     -       (1,048 )     (497 )
Other expense
    (84 )     -       (252 )     -  
Income before income taxes
    7,121       11,119       19,511       26,107  
Income tax expense
    (3,526 )     (1,558 )     (8,844 )     (4,712 )
Net income
  $ 3,595     $ 9,561     $ 10,667     $ 21,395  
Net income per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.12     $ 0.33     $ 0.36     $ 0.74  
Diluted
  $ 0.11     $ 0.31     $ 0.34     $ 0.70  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    30,048       28,960       29,706       28,881  
Diluted
    31,509       30,703       31,297       30,561  
                                 
Dividends paid per common share
  $ 0.12     $ -     $ 0.36     $ -  

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
2

 

 
NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands, except share information, unaudited)
                                                                   
                                                                   
           
Common Stock
 
Additional
                 
Total
 
Preferred Stock
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
Class C
 
Paid-In
 
Treasury Stock
 
Accumulated
 
Stockholders'
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Deficit
 
Equity
Balances as of December 31, 2012
 
$
 
21,677,248 
 
$
217 
 
7,702,471 
 
$
77 
 
 
$
 
$
410,514 
 
 
$
 
$
(408,569)
 
$
2,239 
Stock-based compensation expense
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
1,580 
 
   
   
   
1,580 
Conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock
   
 
7,702,471 
   
77 
 
(7,702,471)
   
(77)
 
   
   
 
   
   
   
Purchase of treasury stock
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
 
(365,384)
   
(8,422)
   
   
(8,422)
Exercise of stock options
   
 
1,026,776 
   
10 
 
   
 
   
   
(2,270)
 
365,384 
   
8,422 
   
   
6,162 
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
9,786 
 
   
   
   
9,786 
Common stock dividends paid
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
(10,654)
 
   
   
   
(10,654)
Net income
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
10,667 
   
10,667 
Balances as of September 30, 2013
 
$
 
30,406,495 
 
$
304 
 
 
$
 
 
$
 
$
408,956 
 
 
$
 
$
(397,902)
 
$
11,358 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
3

 
NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands, unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 10,667     $ 21,395  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for bad debts and allowances
    1,320       1,448  
Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter
    9,545       6,489  
Depreciation of property and equipment
    24,791       17,359  
Amortization of intangible assets
    22,900       16,595  
Loss (gain) on asset disposal, net
    35       (25 )
Amortization of debt financing costs
    1,582       1,238  
Amortization of debt discount
    1,001       1,016  
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    1,048       497  
Stock-based compensation expense
    1,580       725  
Deferred income taxes
    9,103       4,307  
Payments for broadcast rights
    (11,031 )     (6,681 )
Deferred gain recognition
    (327 )     (327 )
Amortization of deferred representation fee incentive
    (615 )     (564 )
Issue discount paid upon debt extinguishment
    (262 )     (1,190 )
Premium on debt extinguishment
    (853 )     -  
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises
    (9,786 )     -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
               
Accounts receivable
    (28,409 )     2,385  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (2,969 )     (679 )
Other noncurrent assets
    43       97  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    3,969       (286 )
Interest payable
    10,776       4,114  
Deferred revenue
    203       1,051  
Other liabilities of Mission
    584       174  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    833       (409 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    45,728       68,729  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (16,907 )     (11,024 )
Deposits and payments for acquisitions
    (220,830 )     (28,554 )
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment
    51       39  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (237,686 )     (39,539 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Repayments of long-term debt
    (70,913 )     (95,735 )
Payments for debt financing costs
    (2,218 )     (251 )
Proceeds from long-term debt
    223,875       70,500  
Purchase of treasury stock
    (8,422 )     -  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    6,162       1,007  
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises
    9,786       -  
Common stock dividends paid
    (10,654 )     -  
Payments for capital lease obligations
    (38 )     (21 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    147,578       (24,500 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (44,380 )     4,690  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    68,999       7,546  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 24,619     $ 12,236  
Supplemental information:
               
Interest paid
  $ 36,901     $ 32,693  
Income taxes paid, net
  $ 2,143     $ 522  
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Accrued purchases of property and equipment
  $ 2,057     $ 1,547  
Noncash purchases of property and equipment
  $ 2,689     $ 421  
Accrued debt financing costs
  $ 849     $ 259  
Amounts payable to sellers for acquisition of stations
  $ 22,000     $ -  

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
4

 

NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


 
1.  Organization and Business Operations
 
As of September 30, 2013, Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“Nexstar”) owned, operated, programmed or provided sales and other services to 75 television stations and 19 digital multicast channels, including those owned by Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (“Mission”), in 44 markets in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, New York, Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, Utah, Vermont, California and Iowa. The stations are affiliates of NBC (16 stations), CBS (13 stations), ABC (19 stations), FOX (14 stations), MyNetworkTV (5 stations and 2 digital multicast channels), The CW (6 stations and 2 digital multicast channels), Bounce TV (9 digital multicast channels), Me-TV (2 digital multicast channels), Telemundo (one station), LATV (one digital multicast channel), LiveWell (3 digital multicast channels) and one independent station. Through various local service agreements, Nexstar provided sales, programming and other services to 25 stations and 7 digital multicast channels owned and/or operated by independent third parties. Nexstar operates in one reportable television broadcasting segment. The economic characteristics, services, production process, customer type and distribution methods for Nexstar’s operations are substantially similar and are therefore aggregated as a single reportable segment.

 
2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation
 
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Nexstar. Also included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are the accounts of the independently-owned variable interest entity (“VIE”), Mission (Nexstar and Mission are collectively referred to as the “Company”). Where the assets of Mission are not available to be used to settle the obligations of Nexstar, they are presented as the assets of Mission on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Conversely, where the creditors of Mission do not have recourse to the general credit of Nexstar, the related liabilities are presented as the liabilities of Mission on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Nexstar management evaluates each arrangement that may include variable interests and determines the need to consolidate an entity where it determines Nexstar is the primary beneficiary of a VIE in accordance with related authoritative literature and interpretive guidance.
 
All intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Liquidity

Nexstar is highly leveraged, which makes it vulnerable to changes in general economic conditions. Nexstar’s ability to repay or refinance its debt will depend on, among other things, financial, business, market, competitive and other conditions, many of which are beyond Nexstar’s control.

Interim Financial Statements

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair statement of the financial information included herein in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in Nexstar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. 

 
5

 
 
Mission
 
Mission is included in these Consolidated Financial Statements because Nexstar is deemed under U.S. GAAP to have a controlling financial interest in Mission as a VIE for financial reporting purposes as a result of (1) local service agreements Nexstar has with the Mission stations, (2) Nexstar’s guarantee of the obligations incurred under Mission’s senior secured credit facility (see Note 6), (3) Nexstar having power over significant activities affecting Mission’s economic performance, including budgeting for advertising revenue, advertising sales and hiring and firing of sales force personnel and (4) purchase options granted by Mission which permit Nexstar to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission station, subject to Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) consent. The purchase options are freely exercisable or assignable by Nexstar without consent or approval by Mission for consideration equal to the greater of (1) seven times the station’s cash flow, as defined in the option agreement, less the amount of its indebtedness, as defined in the option agreement, or (2) the amount of its indebtedness. Additionally, Nexstar has an option to purchase any or all of Mission’s stock, subject to FCC consent, for a price equal to the pro rata portion of the greater of (1) five times the stations’ cash flow, as defined in the agreement, reduced by the amount of indebtedness, as defined in the agreement, or (2) $100,000. These option agreements (which expire on various dates between 2013 and 2023) are freely exercisable or assignable by Nexstar without consent or approval by Mission or its shareholders. The Company expects these option agreements to be renewed upon expiration. As of September 30, 2013, the assets of Mission consisted of current assets of $9.6 million (excluding broadcast rights and amounts due from Nexstar), broadcast rights of $3.4 million, FCC licenses of $41.6 million, goodwill of $32.5 million, other intangible assets of $25.3 million, property and equipment of $27.7 million, noncurrent deferred tax assets, net of $28.8 million and other noncurrent assets of $3.5 million. Substantially all of Mission’s assets, except for its FCC licenses, collateralize its secured debt obligation. See Note 12 for a presentation of condensed consolidating financial information of the Company, which includes the accounts of Mission.

Nexstar has entered into local service agreements with Mission to provide sales and operating services to the Mission stations. The following table summarizes the various local service agreements Nexstar had in effect with Mission as of September 30, 2013:

Service Agreements
 
Mission Stations
TBA Only(1)
 
WFXP and KHMT
       
SSA & JSA(2)
 
KJTL, KJBO-LP, KLRT-TV, KASN, KOLR, KCIT, KCPN-LP, KAMC, KRBC, KSAN, WUTR, WAWV, WYOU, KODE, WTVO, KTVE, WTVW and WVNY
       
(1)
Nexstar has a time brokerage agreement (“TBA”) with each of these stations which allows Nexstar to program most of each station’s broadcast time, sell each station’s advertising time and retain the advertising revenue generated in exchange for monthly payments to Mission.
(2)
Nexstar has both a shared services agreement (“SSA”) and a joint sales agreement (“JSA”) with each of these stations. Each SSA allows the Nexstar station in the market to provide services including news production, technical maintenance and security, in exchange for Nexstar’s right to receive certain payments from Mission as described in the SSAs. Each JSA permits Nexstar to sell the station’s advertising time and retain a percentage of the net revenue from the station’s advertising time in return for monthly payments to Mission of the remaining percentage of net revenue as described in the JSAs.

Nexstar’s ability to receive cash from Mission is governed by these local service agreements. Under the local service agreements, Nexstar has received substantially all of Mission’s available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations. Nexstar anticipates it will continue to receive substantially all of Mission’s available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations. In compliance with FCC regulations for both Nexstar and Mission, Mission maintains complete responsibility for and control over programming, finances, personnel and operations of its stations with SSA and JSA agreements.

 
6

 
 
Variable Interest Entities
 
The Company may determine that a station is a VIE as a result of local service agreements entered into with the owner-operator of the station. The term local service agreements generally refers to a contract between separately owned television stations serving the same market, whereby the owner-operator of one station contracts with the owner-operator of the other station to provide it with administrative, sales and other services required for the operation of its station. Nevertheless, the owner-operator of each station retains control and responsibility for the operation of its station, including ultimate responsibility over all programming broadcast on its station. In addition to those with Mission, Nexstar has VIEs in connection with local service agreements entered into with stations as discussed below.
 
Nexstar has determined that it has variable interests in WYZZ, the FOX affiliate in Peoria, Illinois and WUHF, the FOX affiliate in Rochester, New York, each owned by a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (“Sinclair”), as a result of outsourcing agreements it has entered into with Sinclair. Nexstar also has determined that it has a variable interest in WHP, the CBS affiliate in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which is also owned by Sinclair, as a result of Nexstar becoming successor-in-interest to a TBA entered into by a former owner of WLYH. Nexstar has evaluated its arrangements with Sinclair and has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interests because it does not have the ultimate power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the stations, including developing the annual operating budget, programming and oversight and control of sales management personnel. Therefore, Nexstar has not consolidated these stations under authoritative guidance related to the consolidation of variable interest entities. Under the outsourcing agreements with Sinclair, Nexstar pays for certain operating expenses of WYZZ and WUHF, and therefore may have unlimited exposure to any potential operating losses. Nexstar’s management believes that Nexstar’s minimum exposure to loss under the Sinclair outsourcing agreements consists of the fees paid to Sinclair. Additionally, Nexstar indemnifies the owners of WHP, WYZZ and WUHF from and against all liability and claims arising out of or resulting from its activities, acts or omissions in connection with the agreements. The maximum potential amount of future payments Nexstar could be required to make for such indemnification is undeterminable at this time. Nexstar made payments to Sinclair under the outsourcing agreements of $1.1 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $3.5 million and $4.0 million for the nine months then ended. Nexstar has a balance due to Sinclair for fees under these arrangements in the amount of $1.1 million and $3.4 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Nexstar also has receivables in the amount of $2.2 million and $2.7 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, for advertising aired on these three stations.

Nexstar had a variable interest in a newly acquired station, KSEE, the NBC affiliate serving the Fresno, California market, as a result of the TBA with the station during the period February 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013. Nexstar had evaluated the business arrangement with KSEE and determined that it was the primary beneficiary of the variable interest because it had the ultimate power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the station including developing the annual operating budget, programming and oversight and control of sales management personnel. Therefore, Nexstar consolidated KSEE as of February 1, 2013 under authoritative guidance related to the consolidation of variable interest entities. See Note 3 for additional information.

Nexstar also determined that it has variable interests in the stations included in the proposed acquisition from Citadel Communications, L.P. and its related entities (“Citadel”) (See Note 3) as a result of TBAs effective September 16, 2013. Nexstar has evaluated its arrangements with these stations and determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the variable interests because it has the ultimate power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the stations including developing the annual operating budget, programming and oversight and control of sales management personnel. Therefore, Nexstar has consolidated these stations under authoritative guidance related to the consolidation of variable interest entities as of September 16, 2013.
 
Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, broadcast rights payable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. See Note 6 for fair value disclosures related to the Company’s debt.

 
7

 

Income Per Share
 
Basic income per share is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares are calculated using the treasury stock method. They consist of stock options outstanding during the period and reflect the potential dilution that could occur if common stock were issued upon exercise of stock options. The following table shows the amounts used in computing the Company’s diluted shares (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
    30,048       28,960       29,706       28,881  
Effect of dilutive stock options
    1,461       1,743       1,591       1,680  
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
    31,509       30,703       31,297       30,561  
 
No stock options were excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Stock options to purchase 308,000 shares and 173,000 shares of Class A common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, because their impact would have been antidilutive.

Basis of Presentation
 
Certain prior year financial statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740) (“ASU 2013-11”) which provides guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The update is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405) (“ASU 2013-04”). ASU 2013-04 provides guidance on measurement of fixed obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements as the sum of the amount a reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangements among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. ASU 2013-04 also requires disclosure of the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information. The update is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 
8

 


3.
Acquisitions

Citadel

On September 16, 2013, Nexstar entered into definitive agreements to acquire three television stations in three markets as follows:

Market
 
Market Rank
 
Station
Affiliation
Des Moines, IA
    72  
WOI
ABC
Rock Island, IL
    99  
WHBF
CBS
Sioux City, IA
    147  
KCAU
ABC

Under the terms of the purchase agreements, Nexstar will acquire the assets of KCAU and WHBF and the outstanding equity of WOI for a total of $87.9 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital, from Citadel. These acquisitions will allow Nexstar entrance into three new markets. Nexstar made payments of $44.8 million to acquire the assets excluding FCC licenses and real property interests of KCAU and WHBF and $21.0 million as an upfront payment to acquire the outstanding equity of WOI, funded by a combination of borrowings under Nexstar’s revolving credit facility (See Note 6) and cash on hand. Nexstar began providing programming and sales services to these stations pursuant to TBAs effective September 16, 2013. The remaining purchase price of $22.0 million is expected to be funded by Nexstar through borrowings under its existing credit facility and cash on hand. As of September 30, 2013, this amount is included in the current liabilities of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The acquisitions are subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and Nexstar is projecting them to close in the first quarter of 2014.

During each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, Nexstar incurred acquisition related costs of $0.3 million, which primarily consisted of legal and professional fees. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As discussed in Note 2, Nexstar is the primary beneficiary of its variable interests in KCAU, WHBF and WOI. Therefore, Nexstar consolidated these entities into its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements beginning September 16, 2013. Nexstar is in the process of finalizing the allocation of purchase price to the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired and managed through TBAs. The preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired, FCC licenses and real property interests to be acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions are as follows (in thousands):

Broadcast rights
  $ 269  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    254  
Property and equipment
    12,710  
FCC licenses
    25,080  
Network affiliation agreements
    26,500  
Other intangible assets
    3,292  
Goodwill
    20,270  
Other assets
    226  
Total assets acquired
    88,601  
Less:  Broadcast rights payable
    (269 )
Less:  Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (467 )
Net assets acquired
  $ 87,865  

The fair value assigned to goodwill is attributable to future expense reductions utilizing management’s leverage in programming and other station operating costs. Nexstar expects the goodwill and FCC licenses to be deductible for tax purposes. The intangible asset related to the network affiliation agreements to be acquired will be amortized over 15 years. Other intangible assets are expected to be amortized over an estimated weighted average useful life of 11 months.

KCAU/WHBF/WOI’s net revenue of $0.9 million and breakeven from operations for the period September 16, 2013 to September 30, 2013 have been included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
9

 
 
Stainless

On September 13, 2013, Mission entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WICZ and WBPN-LP, both in the Binghamton, New York market, from Stainless Broadcasting, L.P. (“Stainless”). The acquisition will allow Mission entrance into this market. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, Mission will acquire the assets of WICZ and WBPN-LP for $15.3 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital to be acquired. A deposit of $0.2 million was paid upon signing the agreement. The remaining purchase price is expected to be funded by Mission through borrowings under its existing credit facility and cash on hand. The acquisition is subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and Mission projects it to close in the first quarter of 2014.
 
CCA/White Knight

On April 24, 2013, Nexstar and Mission entered into a stock purchase agreement (“Stock Purchase Agreement”) to acquire the stock of privately-held Communications Corporation of America (“CCA”) and White Knight Broadcasting (“White Knight”), the owners of 19 television stations in 10 markets, for a total consideration of $270.0 million, subject to adjustments for working capital to be acquired. Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, Nexstar has agreed to purchase all the outstanding equity of CCA and Mission has agreed to purchase all the outstanding equity of White Knight. Nexstar will acquire 10 television stations, Mission will acquire 7 television stations and Rocky Creek Communications, Inc. (“Rocky Creek”), an independent third party, will acquire 2 television stations. Nexstar will also enter into local service agreements with Mission and Rocky Creek. These acquisitions will allow the Company and Rocky Creek entrance into seven new markets and operate duopolies in four markets. The stations to be acquired are as follows:

Market
 
Market Rank
 
Station
Affiliation
Nexstar:
         
Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, TX
    86  
KVEO
NBC/Estrella
Waco-Temple-Bryan, TX
    88  
KWKT
KYLE
FOX/MNTV/Estrella
FOX/MNTV/Estrella
El Paso, TX
    91  
KTSM
NBC/Estrella
Baton Rouge, LA
    94  
WGMB
WBRL-CD
FOX
The CW
Tyler-Longview, TX
    107  
KETK
NBC/Estrella
Lafayette, LA
    124  
KADN
KLAF-LD
FOX
MNTV
Alexandria, LA
    179  
WNTZ
FOX/MNTV
             
Mission:
           
Shreveport, LA
    83  
KMSS
FOX
Baton Rouge, LA
    94  
WVLA
KZUP-CD
NBC
RTV
Tyler-Longview, TX
    107  
KFXK
KFXL-LD
KLPN-LD
FOX
FOX
MNTV
Odessa-Midland, TX
    152  
KPEJ
FOX/Estrella
             
Rocky Creek:
           
Shreveport, LA
    83  
KSHV
MNTV
Evansville, IN
    104  
WEVV
CBS/FOX/MNTV

A deposit of $27.0 million was paid upon signing the agreement funded by a combination of borrowings under Nexstar’s revolving credit facility (See Note 6) and cash on hand. The remaining purchase price is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to closing, borrowings under the existing credit facilities and future credit market transactions. The acquisitions are subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and the Company is projecting them to close in the fourth quarter of 2013 or the first quarter of 2014.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company incurred acquisition related costs of $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively, which primarily consisted of legal and professional fees. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in Nexstar’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
 
10

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company completed the acquisitions listed below. These acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value on the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values assigned to the net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill.

Station
Network 
Affiliation
Market
Date Acquired
  Acquired By
KLRT-TV
Fox
Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas
January 1, 2013
Mission
KASN
The CW
Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas
January 1, 2013
Mission
KGET
NBC/The CW
Bakersfield, California
February 1, 2013
Nexstar
KKEY-LP
Telemundo
Bakersfield, California
February 1, 2013
Nexstar
KGPE
CBS
Fresno-Visalia, California
February 1, 2013
Nexstar
KSEE
NBC/LATV
Fresno-Visalia, California
February 1, 2013
Nexstar
WFFF
FOX
Burlington-Plattsburgh, Vermont
March 1, 2013
Nexstar
WVNY
ABC
Burlington-Plattsburgh, Vermont
March 1, 2013
Mission

KLRT-TV/KASN

Effective January 1, 2013, Mission acquired the assets of KLRT-TV and KASN from Newport Television LLC (“Newport”) for $59.7 million in cash. Pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement, Mission made an initial payment of $6.0 million against the purchase price on July 18, 2012. The remainder of the purchase price was funded by Mission through the proceeds of $60.0 million term loan under its senior secured credit facility (See Note 6). This acquisition allows Mission entrance into this market. No significant transaction costs were incurred in connection with this acquisition during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

The estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition are as follows (in thousands):

Broadcast rights
  $ 2,279  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    71  
Property and equipment
    11,153  
FCC licenses of Mission
    16,827  
Network affiliation agreements
    17,002  
Other intangible assets
    2,511  
Goodwill
    12,727  
Other assets
    7  
Total assets acquired
    62,577  
Less:  Broadcast rights payable
    (2,492 )
Less:  Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (386 )
Net assets acquired
  $ 59,699  

The fair value assigned to goodwill is attributable to future expense reductions utilizing management’s leverage in programming and other station operating costs. The goodwill and FCC licenses are deductible for tax purposes. The intangible asset related to the network affiliation agreements acquired is amortized over 15 years. Other intangible assets are amortized over an estimated weighted average useful life of one year.

KLRT-TV/KASN’s net revenue of $5.6 million and net income of $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and net revenue of $15.5 million and net income of $7.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 have been included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
11

 
 
KGET/KKEY-LP/KGPE

Effective February 1, 2013, Nexstar acquired the assets of KGET, KKEY-LP and KGPE from Newport for $35.4 million in cash, funded by cash on hand and includes a $3.5 million deposit paid by Nexstar upon signing the purchase agreement in November 2012. This acquisition allows Nexstar entrance into these markets. The transaction costs relating to this acquisition, including legal and professional fees of $0.2 million were expensed as incurred.

The estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition are as follows (in thousands):

Broadcast rights
  $ 72  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    351  
Property and equipment
    9,343  
FCC licenses
    14,318  
Network affiliation agreements
    9,307  
Other intangible assets
    1,310  
Goodwill
    1,077  
Total assets acquired
    35,778  
Less:  Broadcast rights payable
    (72 )
Less:  Deferred revenue
    (57 )
Less:  Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (196 )
Net assets acquired
  $ 35,453  

The fair value assigned to goodwill is attributable to future expense reductions utilizing management’s leverage in programming and other station operating costs. The goodwill and FCC licenses are deductible for tax purposes. The intangible asset related to the network affiliation agreements acquired is amortized over 15 years. Other intangible assets are amortized over an estimated weighted average useful life of 10 months.

KGET/KKEY-LP/KGPE’s net revenue of $6.8 million and net income of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and net revenue of $18.0 million and net income of $0.2 million for the period February 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013 have been included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
KSEE

Effective February 1, 2013, Nexstar entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of KSEE and an unrelated network affiliation agreement from Granite Broadcasting Corporation (“Granite”) for $26.5 million in cash. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, Nexstar made a payment of $20.0 million funded by cash on hand, to acquire the station’s assets excluding FCC license and certain transmission equipment. Nexstar also entered into a TBA for KSEE, effective February 1, 2013, to program most of KSEE’s broadcast time, sell its advertising time and retain the advertising revenue generated during the pendency of the FCC approval of the asset purchase. On April 17, 2013, Nexstar received approval from the FCC to purchase the remaining assets of KSEE. On May 31, 2013, Nexstar completed the acquisition of the FCC license and certain transmission equipment and paid the remaining purchase price of $6.5 million. Accordingly, the TBA was terminated as of this date. This acquisition allows Nexstar to operate a duopoly in this market. No significant transaction costs were incurred in connection with this acquisition during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

The estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition are as follows (in thousands):

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  $ 140  
Property and equipment
    7,350  
FCC licenses
    7,385  
Network affiliation agreements
    7,870  
Other intangible assets
    107  
Goodwill
    3,838  
Total assets acquired
    26,690  
Less:  Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (194 )
Net assets acquired
  $ 26,496  

 
12

 
 
The fair value assigned to goodwill is attributable to future expense reductions utilizing management’s leverage in programming and other station operating costs. The goodwill and FCC licenses are deductible for tax purposes. The intangible asset related to the network affiliation agreements acquired is amortized over 15 years. Other intangible assets are amortized over an estimated weighted average useful life of 5 months.

KSEE’s net revenue of $1.7 million and net income of $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and net revenue of $4.6 million and net income of $3.4 million for the period February 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013 have been included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
WFFF/WVNY

On March 1, 2013, Nexstar and Mission acquired the assets of WFFF and WVNY from Smith Media, LLC (“Smith Media”) for a total consideration of $16.6 million in cash, funded by a combination of Nexstar’s and Mission’s $10.0 million total borrowings from their revolving credit facilities (See Note 6) and cash on hand. The purchase price includes a $0.8 million deposit paid by Nexstar upon signing the purchase agreement in November 2012. This acquisition allows Nexstar and Mission entrance into this market. The transaction costs relating to this acquisition, including legal and professional fees of $0.1 million were expensed as incurred.

The estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition are as follows (in thousands):

Broadcast rights
  $ 1,030  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    150  
Property and equipment
    7,100  
FCC licenses
    2,797  
FCC licenses of Mission
    2,797  
Network affiliation agreements
    2,119  
Other intangible assets
    439  
Goodwill
    1,787  
Total assets acquired
    18,219  
Less:  Broadcast rights payable
    (1,145 )
Less:  Deferred revenue
    (19 )
Less:  Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (504 )
Net assets acquired
  $ 16,551  

The fair value assigned to goodwill is attributable to future expense reductions utilizing management’s leverage in programming and other station operating costs. The goodwill and FCC licenses are deductible for tax purposes. The intangible asset related to the network affiliation agreements acquired is amortized over 15 years. Other intangible assets are amortized over an estimated weighted average useful life of 6 months.

WFFF/WVNY’s net revenue of $2.7 million and net income of $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and net revenue of $6.8 million and net income of $1.0 million for the period March 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013 have been included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
13

 
 
Unaudited Pro Forma Information

The Granite and Smith Media acquisitions are immaterial, both individually and in aggregate, therefore pro forma information has not been provided for these acquisitions.

On December 1, 2012, Nexstar acquired the assets of ten television stations and Inergize Digital Media (“Inergize”) from Newport for $225.5 million in cash (the “2012 Newport Acquisition”). As discussed above, Nexstar and Mission acquired certain television stations from Newport during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (the “2013 Newport Acquisitions”). As the stations were acquired from the same entity, the Company considered these acquisitions as a single transaction for purposes of assessing materiality and presenting pro forma information. Therefore, the following unaudited pro forma information has been presented as if the 2012 Newport Acquisition and the 2013 Newport Acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2012, for the three and nine months ended 2013 (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Net revenue
  $ 125,792     $ 120,481     $ 365,781     $ 354,281  
Income before income taxes
    7,667       12,913       21,378       27,071  
Net income
    3,902       10,295       11,753       19,179  
Net income per common share - basic
    0.13       0.36       0.40       0.66  
Net income per common share - diluted
    0.12       0.34       0.38       0.63  
 
The above selected unaudited pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of results of operations in future periods or results that would have been achieved had the Company owned the acquired stations during the specified periods.
 
4.
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
 
Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Estimated
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
   
useful life,
       
Accumulated
             
Accumulated
       
   
in years
 
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
 
Network affiliation agreements     15     $ 442,182     $ (285,939 )   $ 156,243     $ 379,384     $ (268,921 )   $ 110,463  
Other definite-lived intangible assets     1-15       33,329       (19,524 )     13,805       25,670       (13,642 )     12,028  
Other intangible assets
          $ 475,511     $ (305,463 )   $ 170,048     $ 405,054     $ (282,563 )   $ 122,491  

During 2013, certain customers terminated their web hosting and other services agreements with Nexstar. Nexstar acquired these contracts through purchase of the assets of Inergize in December 2012 and had a total fair value related to these acquired contracts of $1.4 million at acquisition date. Pursuant to the termination agreements, Nexstar received an aggregate termination fee of $5.5 million, which was included in net revenue in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. As a result of the contract terminations, Nexstar recognized an additional $1.0 million amortization of intangible assets in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, the intangible assets associated with the terminated contracts are fully amortized.
 

 
14

 
 
The following table presents the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for the remainder of 2013, each of the five succeeding years ended December 31 and thereafter for definite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):

Remainder of 2013
 
$
8,407 
 
2014
   
22,940 
 
2015
   
21,865 
 
2016
   
16,526 
 
2017
   
15,736 
 
2018
   
13,677 
 
Thereafter
   
70,897 
 
   
$
170,048 
 

The amounts recorded to goodwill and FCC licenses were as follows (in thousands): 

 
Goodwill
 
FCC Licenses
 
       
Accumulated
             
Accumulated
       
 
Gross
 
Impairment
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Impairment
 
Net
 
Balance as of December 31, 2012
  $ 194,400     $ (45,991 )   $ 148,409     $ 269,617     $ (49,421 )   $ 220,196  
Acquisitions (See Note 3)
    39,699       -       39,699       69,204       -       69,204  
Balance as of September 30, 2013
  $ 234,099     $ (45,991 )   $ 188,108     $ 338,821     $ (49,421 )   $ 289,400  

The Company expenses as incurred any costs to renew or extend its FCC licenses. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization, but are tested for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. As a result of the termination of certain web hosting and other services agreements, Nexstar assessed the recoverability of one of its reporting units as of September 30, 2013 by comparing its estimated fair value with its carrying amount. Based on the results of the step one analysis, it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount. Therefore, no impairment of goodwill is indicated and Nexstar deemed it not necessary to perform the step two impairment test. We did not identify any other events that would trigger impairment assessment.

5.
Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Compensation and related taxes
  $ 7,773     $ 7,282  
Sales commissions
    2,124       1,919  
Employee benefits
    1,447       1,147  
Property taxes
    1,317       653  
Other accruals related to operating expenses
    10,554       7,121  
    $ 23,215     $ 18,122  

 
15

 

6.
Debt
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Term loans, net of discount of $1,686 and $1,736, respectively
  $ 396,564     $ 288,264  
Revolving loans
    55,000       -  
8.875% Senior secured second lien notes due 2017, net of discount of $4,640 and $5,622, respectively
    309,935       319,378  
6.875% Senior unsecured notes due 2020
    250,000       250,000  
      1,011,499       857,642  
Less: current portion
    (4,750 )     (2,175 )
    $ 1,006,749     $ 855,467  

2013 Transactions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company borrowed a net amount of $55.0 million revolving loans under its senior secured credit facilities. In June and September 2013, Nexstar and Mission each paid the contractual maturities under their senior secured credit facilities, for a total payment of $1.8 million.

On January 3, 2013, Mission borrowed $60.0 million in term loans under its senior secured credit facility to fund the acquisition of the assets of KLRT-TV and KASN from Newport (See Note 3).

On June 28, 2013, Nexstar and Mission entered into amendments to each of their senior secured credit facilities. The amendments provided commitments for incremental term loan facilities (“Term Loan A Facilities”) available to Nexstar of $144.0 million and to Mission of $90.0 million, subject to reallocation of up to $18.0 million for the benefit of Rocky Creek, pursuant to the terms of the amended credit agreements. On June 28, 2013, Nexstar received initial proceeds of $50.0 million under its incremental term loan facility. The initial proceeds under Nexstar’s Term Loan A Facility, together with the Company’s net borrowings from its revolving credit facilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were used to partially fund the required deposit to acquire the stock of CCA and White Knight, to fund the remaining purchase price in relation to Nexstar’s purchase of KSEE’s assets, to partially finance the acquisition of the assets of WFFF and WVNY from Smith Media and to partially fund the payments made pursuant to the purchase agreements entered by Nexstar to acquire KCAU, WHBF and WOI (See Note 3 for additional information on station acquisitions).

Nexstar and Mission recorded $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in legal, professional and underwriting fees related to the Term Loan A Facilities, which were capitalized as debt finance costs, included in other noncurrent assets, net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013, and are being amortized over their terms.

During September 2013, Nexstar repurchased $10.4 million of the 8.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes (“8.875% Notes”) at an average price of 108.2%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, funded by cash on hand. The repurchases resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.0 million.

On October 1, 2013, Nexstar completed the sale and issuance of $275.0 million 6.875% Senior Unsecured Notes (the “Additional 6.875% Notes”) at 100.25%, plus accrued interest from May 15, 2013. The Additional 6.875% Notes will mature on November 15, 2020 and interest is payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Additional 6.875% Notes are guaranteed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Nexstar, (“Nexstar Broadcasting”) and Mission and certain of the Company’s future 100% owned subsidiaries, subject to certain customary release provisions. The Additional 6.875% Notes have the same terms as, and are to be treated as a single class with Nexstar’s $250.0 million 6.875% Senior Unsecured Notes that were issued on November 9, 2012 (the “6.875% Notes”).

On October 1, 2013, Nexstar and Mission entered into amendments to each of their senior secured credit facilities. The amendments provided for incremental term loan facilities (“Term Loan B-2 Facilities”) to Nexstar of $25.0 million and to Mission of $125.0 million and amended revolving credit facilities available to Nexstar of $75.0 million and to Mission of $30.0 million. The principal amounts under the Term Loan B-2 Facilities are reduced by quarterly payments of 0.25% beginning December 31, 2013. The remainder of the principal is due in full at maturity on October 1, 2020.
 

 
16

 
 
The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Additional 6.875% Notes and Term Loan B-2 Facilities to repurchase the outstanding principal balance of the 8.875% Notes, to partially fund the Company’s acquisition of five television stations in four markets from Citadel and Stainless (See Note 3), to pay for related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. On October 1, 2013, Nexstar and Mission repurchased $292.7 million of the outstanding principal balance of the 8.875% Notes at 108.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in accordance with a tender offer dated September 17, 2013. The repurchase resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $31.3 million. The tender offer expired on October 15, 2013 and the Company issued a notice of redemption to the holders of the remaining principal balance of $21.9 million at a redemption price as defined in the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, to redeem such outstanding amount on November 16, 2013.

Nexstar and Mission recorded $0.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively, in legal, professional and underwriting fees related to the Additional 6.875% Notes and Term Loan B-2 Facilities, which were capitalized as debt finance costs, included in other noncurrent assets, net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013.

Unused Commitments and Borrowing Availability
 
The Company had $45.0 million of total unused revolving loan commitments under its senior secured credit facilities, all of which was available for borrowing, based on the covenant calculations as of September 30, 2013. The Company also had $184.0 million of unused Term Loan A Facilities commitment under its amended senior secured credit facilities, all of which was available for borrowing as of September 30, 2013, upon the close of the CCA and White Knight acquisitions. The Company’s ability to access funds under its senior secured credit facilities depends, in part, on its compliance with certain financial covenants.

Debt Covenants
 
The Nexstar senior secured credit facility agreement contains covenants which require the Company to comply with certain financial covenant ratios, including (1) a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio of Nexstar Broadcasting, a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Nexstar, and Mission of 7.25 to 1.00 at September 30, 2013, (2) a maximum consolidated first lien indebtedness ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 at any time and (3) a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.20 to 1.00 at any time. The covenants, which are formally calculated on a quarterly basis, are based on the combined results of Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission. Mission’s senior secured credit agreement does not contain financial covenant ratio requirements, but includes default provisions in the event Nexstar does not comply with all covenants contained in its senior secured credit facility agreement. As of September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

Collateralization and Guarantees of Debt
 
Nexstar and Mission’s senior secured credit facilities are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all the combined assets, excluding FCC licenses, of Nexstar and Mission. Nexstar guarantee full payment of all obligations incurred under the Mission senior secured credit facility in the event of Mission’s default. Similarly, Mission is a guarantor of the Nexstar senior secured credit facility and the senior unsecured notes issued by Nexstar.
 
Fair Value of Debt
 
The aggregate carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s debt were as follows (in thousands):

           
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
           
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
           
Amount
 
Value
 
Amount
 
Value
Term loans(1) 
 
$
396,564 
 
$
392,527 
 
$
288,264 
 
$
293,187 
Revolving loans(1) 
   
55,000 
   
56,714 
   
   
8.875% Senior secured second lien notes(2) 
   
309,935 
   
342,462 
   
319,378 
   
359,125 
6.875% Senior unsecured notes(2) 
   
250,000 
   
255,470 
   
250,000 
   
258,750 
_________________________
(1)
The fair value of senior secured credit facilities is computed based on borrowing rates currently available to Nexstar and Mission for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities. These fair value measurements are considered Level 3, as significant inputs to the fair value calculation are unobservable in the market.
(2)
The fair value of Nexstar’s fixed rate debt is estimated based on bid prices obtained from an investment banking firm that regularly makes a market for these financial instruments. These fair value measurements are considered Level 2, as quoted market prices are available for low volume trading of these securities.
 

 
17

 
 
7.
Common Stock

In February 2013, Nexstar’s principal stockholder, ABRY Partners, LLC (“ABRY”) converted a total of 3,450,000 shares of Class B common stock into an equal number of Class A common stock, which was sold in an offering completed on February 12, 2013. In May 2013, Nexstar’s Class B common stockholders converted all of the 4,252,471 outstanding Class B common stock into an equal number of Class A common stock, of which 3,865,384 shares were held by ABRY. ABRY sold 3,500,000 shares of its Class A common stock holding in an offering that was completed on May 7, 2013. In addition, Nexstar repurchased and held in treasury the remaining 365,384 shares of Class A common stock from ABRY for a total of $8.4 million. As a result of these transactions, no Class B common stock is outstanding and ABRY no longer holds an ownership interest in Nexstar. During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, Nexstar utilized all of the 365,384 shares held in treasury in connection with stock option exercises.

8.
Contract Termination
 
On March 31, 2008, Nexstar signed a ten year agreement for national sales representation with two units of Katz Television Group, a subsidiary of Katz Media Group (“Katz”), transferring 24 stations in 14 of its markets from Petry Television Inc. (“Petry”) and Blair Television Inc. (“Blair”). Nexstar, Blair, Petry and Katz entered into a termination and mutual release agreement under which Blair agreed to release Nexstar from its future contractual obligations in exchange for payments totaling $8.0 million. Katz is making the payments on behalf of Nexstar as an inducement for Nexstar to enter into the long-term contract with Katz. A liability of $7.2 million, representing the present value of the payments Katz is making to Blair, was recorded and is being recognized as a non-cash reduction to operating expenses over the term of the agreement with Katz. Effective May 1, 2009, Nexstar signed another agreement to transfer the remaining Nexstar stations to Katz and its related companies. Moving these contracts resulted in Nexstar cancelling multiple contracts with Blair. As a result, Blair sued the Company for additional termination fees. Katz indemnified the Company for all expenses related to the settlement and defense of this lawsuit. The lawsuit was settled effective May 7, 2010. Termination of these contracts resulted in an additional liability of $0.2 million, which is being recognized over the remaining contract term with Katz.

As of September 30, 2013, $0.7 million of this liability was included in other current liabilities and $3.0 million was included in other noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company recognized $0.2 million of these incentives as a reduction in selling, general and administrative expense for each of the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and $0.6 million for each of the nine months then ended.

9.
Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 45.3%, which consists of federal and state income taxes. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2012, a valuation allowance was recorded against deferred tax assets for net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and other deferred tax assets, and the Company’s provision for income taxes was primarily comprised of deferred income taxes resulting from the amortization of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for income tax purposes which are not amortized for financial reporting purposes. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company released the full amount of its valuation allowance against deferred tax assets for NOLs and other deferred tax assets.

The Company’s deferred tax assets primarily result from federal and state NOLs. The Company’s NOLs are available to reduce future taxable income if utilized before their expiration. Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally imposes an annual limitation on the amount of NOLs that may be used to offset taxable income when a corporation has undergone significant changes in stock ownership. Ownership changes are evaluated as they occur and could limit the ability to use NOLs. On May 7, 2013, ABRY sold 3,865,384 shares of common stock and it no longer has any ownership interest in Nexstar. As a result of this sale, an ownership change occurred resulting in a Section 382 limitation on the use of Nexstar’s NOLs. The sale of common stock by ABRY is not expected to impact Mission. The Company expects to be able to utilize its existing NOLs prior to their expiration. Nexstar’s estimated annual Section 382 limitation following the ownership change is $53.0 million for 2013, $91.0 million for each of 2014-2017, $50.0 million for 2018 and $21.0 million annually thereafter.

In addition, any subsequent ownership changes could result in additional limitations. The ability to use NOLs is also dependent upon the Company’s ability to generate taxable income. The NOLs could expire before the Company generates sufficient taxable income. To the extent the Company’s use of NOLs is significantly limited, the Company’s income could be subject to corporate income tax earlier than it would if it were able to use NOLs, which could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial results and operations. Changes in ownership are largely beyond the Company’s control and the Company can give no assurance that it will continue to have realizable NOLs.
 

 
18

 
 
10.
FCC Regulatory Matters
 
Television broadcasting is subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”). The Communications Act prohibits the operation of television broadcasting stations except under a license issued by the FCC, and empowers the FCC, among other things, to issue, revoke, and modify broadcasting licenses, determine the location of television stations, regulate the equipment used by television stations, adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of the Communications Act and impose penalties for the violation of such regulations. The FCC’s ongoing rule making proceedings could have a significant future impact on the television industry and on the operation of the Company’s stations and the stations to which it provides services. In addition, the U.S. Congress may act to amend the Communications Act or adopt other legislation in a manner that could impact the Company’s stations, the stations to which it provides services and the television broadcast industry in general.

The FCC has adopted rules with respect to the final conversion of existing low power and television translator stations to digital operations. The FCC has established a September 1, 2015 deadline by which low power and television translator stations must cease analog operations, and low power and television translator stations operating on channels 52-69 were required to cease operation on those channels by December 31, 2011. The Company has transitioned its television translator operations on channels 52-69 to digital operations and will transition its remaining low power and television translator stations to digital operations prior to September 1, 2015.

Media Ownership

In 2006, the FCC initiated a rulemaking proceeding to review all of its media ownership rules, as required by the Communications Act. The FCC considered rules relating to ownership of two or more TV stations in a market, ownership of local TV and radio stations by daily newspapers in the same market, cross-ownership of local TV and radio stations, and changes to how the national TV ownership limits are calculated. In February 2008, the FCC adopted modest changes to its newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule while retaining the rest of its ownership rules then currently in effect. On July 7, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit vacated the FCC’s changes to its newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule while upholding the FCC’s retention of its other media ownership rules. In June 2012, the Supreme Court denied various petitions for Supreme Court review of the Third Circuit’s decision.

The FCC is required to review its media ownership rules every four years and to eliminate those rules it finds no longer serve the “public interest, convenience and necessity.” During 2009, the FCC held a series of hearings designed to evaluate possible changes to its rules. In May 2010, the FCC formally initiated its 2010 review of its media ownership rules with the issuance of a Notice of Inquiry (NOI). In December 2011, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on specific proposed changes to its ownership rules. Among the specific changes proposed in the NPRM are (1) elimination of the contour overlap provision of the local television ownership rule (making the rule entirely DMA-based), (2) elimination of the radio/television cross-ownership rule, and (3) modest relaxation of the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule. The NPRM also sought comment on shared services agreements (SSAs) and other joint operating arrangements between television stations, and whether such agreements should be considered attributable. Comments and reply comments on the NPRM were filed in March and April 2012. In September 2013, the FCC commenced a rulemaking proceeding to consider whether to eliminate the “UHF discount” that is currently used to calculate compliance with the national television ownership limit. The Company cannot predict what rules the FCC will adopt in these proceedings or when they will be adopted.
 

 
19

 
 
Spectrum

The FCC has initiated various proceedings to assess the availability of spectrum to meet future wireless broadband needs. The FCC’s March 2010 “National Broadband Plan” recommends the reallocation of 120 megahertz of the spectrum currently used for broadcast television for wireless broadband use. The FCC has thus far adopted rules permitting television stations to share a single 6 megahertz channel and requested comment on proposals that include, among other things, whether to add new frequency allocations in the television bands for licensed fixed and mobile wireless uses and whether to implement technical rule modifications to improve the viability of certain channels that are underutilized by digital television stations. In February 2012, Congress adopted legislation authorizing the FCC to conduct an incentive auction whereby television broadcasters could voluntarily relinquish all or part of their spectrum in exchange for consideration. On September 28, 2012, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rule Making seeking public comment on the design of the incentive auction and various technical issues related to the reallocation of television spectrum for mobile broadband use. Comments on the notice were filed in January 2013, and reply comments were filed in March 2013. A reallocation of television spectrum for wireless broadband use would involve a “repacking” of the television broadcast band, which would require some television stations to change channel or otherwise modify their technical facilities. Future steps to reallocate television spectrum to broadband use may be to the detriment of the Company’s investment in digital facilities, could require substantial additional investment to continue current operations, and may require viewers to invest in additional equipment or subscription services to continue receiving broadcast television signals. The Company cannot predict the timing or results of television spectrum reallocation efforts or their impact to its business.
 
Retransmission Consent

On March 3, 2011, the FCC initiated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to reexamine its rules (i) governing the requirements for good faith negotiations between multichannel video program distributors (MVPDs) and broadcasters, including implementing a prohibition on one station negotiating retransmission consent terms for another station under a local service agreement; (ii) for providing advance notice to consumers in the event of dispute; and (iii) to extend certain cable-only obligations to all MVPDs. The FCC has also asked for comment on eliminating the network non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity protection rules, which may permit MVPDs to import out-of-market television stations during a retransmission consent dispute. If the FCC prohibits joint negotiations or modifies the network non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity protection rules, such changes likely would affect the Company’s ability to sustain its current level of retransmission consent revenues or grow such revenues in the future and could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company cannot predict the resolution of the proposals or their impact to its business.
 
11.
Commitments and Contingencies
 
Operating Leases

During the first quarter of 2013, the Company corrected its other noncurrent liabilities, other noncurrent liabilities of Mission and beginning accumulated deficit as of the earliest period being presented by an increase of $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, for an error in deferred rent from tower leases recorded during a 2003 acquisition. If this error had been corrected prior to the earliest period presented, net income would not have been significantly impacted for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Management evaluated this error considering both qualitative and quantitative factors and considered its impact in relation to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, when it was corrected, as well as the period in which it originated and believes that the adjustment was not material to any previous annual or quarterly period.

Guarantee of Mission Debt
 
Nexstar guarantee full payment of all obligations incurred under Mission’s senior secured credit facility. In the event that Mission is unable to repay amounts due, Nexstar will be obligated to repay such amounts. The maximum potential amount of future payments that Nexstar would be required to make under this guarantee would be generally limited to the amount of borrowings outstanding. As of September 30, 2013, Mission had a maximum commitment of $228.5 million under its senior secured credit facility, of which $103.5 million of debt was outstanding.
 

 
20

 
 
Indemnification Obligations
 
In connection with certain agreements into which the Company enters in the normal course of its business, including local service agreements, business acquisitions and borrowing arrangements, the Company enters into contractual arrangements under which the Company agrees to indemnify the other party to such arrangement from losses, claims and damages incurred by the indemnified party for certain events as defined within the particular contract. Such indemnification obligations may not be subject to maximum loss clauses and the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification arrangements may be unlimited. Historically, payments made related to these indemnifications have been immaterial and the Company has not incurred significant costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements.
 
Litigation
 
From time to time, the Company is involved with claims that arise out of the normal course of its business. In the opinion of management, any resulting liability with respect to these claims would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


 
21

 

12.
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
The following condensed consolidating financial information presents the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Nexstar and its consolidated VIE. This information is presented in lieu of separate financial statements and other related disclosures pursuant to Regulation S-X Rule 3-10 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered.”

The Nexstar column presents the parent company’s financial information (not including any subsidiaries). Nexstar owns, directly and indirectly, 100% of two subsidiaries, Nexstar Finance Holdings, Inc. (“Nexstar Holdings”) and Nexstar Broadcasting. The Nexstar Holdings column presents its financial information (not including any subsidiaries). The Nexstar Broadcasting column presents its financial information (not including the results of Mission). The Mission column presents the financial information of Mission, an entity which Nexstar Broadcasting is required to consolidate as a VIE (see Note 2). Neither Mission nor Nexstar Broadcasting has any subsidiaries.

Nexstar Broadcasting has the following notes outstanding (See Note 6): 

 
(a)  
6.875% Notes. The 6.875% Notes are issued by Nexstar Broadcasting and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Nexstar and Mission, subject to certain customary release provisions. These notes are not guaranteed by any other entities.

 
(b)  
8.875% Notes. The 8.875% Notes are co-issued by Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission, jointly and severally, and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Nexstar and all of Nexstar Broadcasting’s and Mission’s future 100% owned domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain customary release provisions. The net proceeds to Mission and Nexstar from the sale of the 8.875% Notes in 2010 were $316.8 million, net of $8.2 million original issuance discount. Mission received $131.9 million of the net proceeds and $184.9 million was received by Nexstar Broadcasting. As the obligations under the 8.875% Notes are joint and several to Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission, each entity reflects the full amount of the 8.875% Notes and related accrued interest in their separate financial statements. Further, the portions of the net proceeds and related accrued interest attributable to the respective co-issuers are reflected as a reduction to equity (due from affiliate) in their separate financial statements given the contractual relationships between the entities.

 
22

 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
ASSETS
                                   
Current assets:
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ -     $ 22,577     $ 2,042     $ -     $ -     $ 24,619  
Due from Nexstar Broadcasting
    -       -       14,233       -       (14,233 )     -  
Other current assets
    -       115,620       9,078       -       -       124,698  
Total current assets
    -       138,197       25,353       -       (14,233 )     149,317  
Amounts due from subsidiary eliminated upon consolidation
    12,395       -       -       -       (12,395 )     -  
Amounts due from parents eliminated upon consolidation
    -       2,845       -       -       (2,845 )     -  
Property and equipment, net
    -       191,515       27,748       -       -       219,263  
Goodwill
    -       155,619       32,489       -       -       188,108  
FCC licenses
    -       247,837       41,563       -       -       289,400  
Other intangible assets, net
    -       144,733       25,315       -       -       170,048  
Other noncurrent assets
    -       97,726       34,126       -       -       131,852  
Total assets
  $ 12,395     $ 978,472     $ 186,594     $ -     $ (29,473 )   $ 1,147,988  
 
LIABILITIES AND
                                               
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                               
(DEFICIT)
                                               
Current liabilities:
                                               
Current portion of debt
  $ -     $ 3,710     $ 1,040     $ -     $ -     $ 4,750  
Due to Mission
    -       14,233       -       -       (14,233 )     -  
Other current liabilities
    -       89,431       17,564       -       (12,795 )     94,200  
Total current liabilities
    -       107,374       18,604       -       (27,028 )     98,950  
Debt
    -       904,777       411,907       -       (309,935 )     1,006,749  
Deficiencies in subsidiaries eliminated upon consolidation
    71,226       -       -       55,984       (127,210 )     -  
Amounts due to subsidiary eliminated upon consolidation
    -       -       -       15,240       (15,240 )     -  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    (3 )     22,305       8,627       2       -       30,931  
Total liabilities
    71,223       1,034,456       439,138       71,226       (479,413 )     1,136,630  
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
                                               
Common stock
    304       -       -       -       -       304  
Other stockholders' equity (deficit)
    (59,132 )     (55,984 )     (252,544 )     (71,226 )     449,940       11,054  
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)
    (58,828 )     (55,984 )     (252,544 )     (71,226 )     449,940       11,358  
Total liabilities and
                                               
stockholders' equity (deficit)
  $ 12,395     $ 978,472     $ 186,594     $ -     $ (29,473 )   $ 1,147,988  
 

 
23

 
 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
 
As of December 31, 2012
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
ASSETS
                                   
Current assets:
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ -     $ 68,681     $ 318     $ -     $ -     $ 68,999  
Due from Nexstar Broadcasting
    -       -       512       -       (512 )     -  
Other current assets
    -       88,700       5,627       -       -       94,327  
Total current assets
    -       157,381       6,457       -       (512 )     163,326  
Amounts due from subsidiary eliminated upon consolidation
    13,943       -       -       -       (13,943 )     -  
Amounts due from parents eliminated upon consolidation
    -       1,297       -       -       (1,297 )     -  
Property and equipment, net
    -       158,644       21,518       -       -       180,162  
Goodwill
    -       129,679       18,730       -       -       148,409  
FCC licenses
    -       198,257       21,939       -       -       220,196  
Other intangible assets, net
    -       112,296       10,195       -       -       122,491  
Other noncurrent assets
    -       70,689       40,542       -       -       111,231  
Total assets
  $ 13,943     $ 828,243     $ 119,381     $ -     $ (15,752 )   $ 945,815  
 
LIABILITIES AND
                                               
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                               
(DEFICIT)
                                               
Current liabilities:
                                               
Current portion of debt
  $ -     $ 1,845     $ 330     $ -     $ -     $ 2,175  
Due to Mission
    -       512       -       -       (512 )     -  
Other current liabilities
    -       52,372       9,463       -       (6,007 )     55,828  
Total current liabilities
    -       54,729       9,793       -       (6,519 )     58,003  
Debt
    -       812,315       362,531       -       (319,379 )     855,467  
Deficiencies in subsidiaries eliminated upon consolidation
    76,322       -       -       61,080       (137,402 )     -  
Amounts due to subsidiary eliminated upon consolidation
    -       -       -       15,240       (15,240 )     -  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    (3 )     22,279       7,828       2       -       30,106  
Total liabilities
    76,319       889,323       380,152       76,322       (478,540 )     943,576  
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
                                               
Common stock
    294       -       -       -       -       294  
Other stockholders' equity (deficit)
    (62,670 )     (61,080 )     (260,771 )     (76,322 )     462,788       1,945  
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)
    (62,376 )     (61,080 )     (260,771 )     (76,322 )     462,788       2,239  
Total liabilities and
                                               
stockholders' equity (deficit)
  $ 13,943     $ 828,243     $ 119,381     $ -     $ (15,752 )   $ 945,815  

 
24

 

 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
Net broadcast revenue (including trade and barter)
  $ -     $ 118,214     $ 7,578     $ -     $ -     $ 125,792  
Revenue between consolidated entities
    -       2,445       9,581       -       (12,026 )     -  
Net revenue
    -       120,659       17,159       -       (12,026 )     125,792  
Operating expenses:
                                               
Direct operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    -       33,519       3,751       -       -       37,270  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    -       36,882       705       -       -       37,587  
Local service agreement fees between consolidated entities
    -       9,581       2,445       -       (12,026 )     -  
Amortization of broadcast rights
    -       7,459       1,729       -       -       9,188  
Amortization of intangible assets
    -       6,246       1,750       -       -       7,996  
Depreciation
    -       7,748       850       -       -       8,598  
Total operating expenses
    -       101,435       11,230       -       (12,026 )     100,639  
Income from operations
    -       19,224       5,929       -       -       25,153  
Interest expense, net
    -       (12,447 )     (4,453 )     -       -       (16,900 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    -       (1,048 )     -       -       -       (1,048 )
Other expense
    -       (84 )     -       -       -       (84 )
Equity in income of subsidiaries
    2,871       -       -       2,871       (5,742 )     -  
Income before income taxes
    2,871       5,645       1,476       2,871       (5,742 )     7,121  
Income tax expense
    -       (2,774 )     (752 )     -       -       (3,526 )
Net income
  $ 2,871     $ 2,871     $ 724     $ 2,871     $ (5,742 )   $ 3,595  

 
25

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
Net broadcast revenue (including trade and barter)
  $ -     $ 85,245     $ 4,707     $ -     $ -     $ 89,952  
Revenue between consolidated entities
    -       1,935       8,012       -       (9,947 )     -  
Net revenue
    -       87,180       12,719       -       (9,947 )     89,952  
Operating expenses:
                                               
Direct operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    -       20,117       1,833       -       -       21,950  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    -       26,712       794       -       -       27,506  
Local service agreement fees between consolidated entities
    -       8,012       1,935       -       (9,947 )     -  
Amortization of broadcast rights
    -       4,464       1,099       -       -       5,563  
Amortization of intangible assets
    -       4,210       1,270       -       -       5,480  
Depreciation
    -       5,195       701       -       -       5,896  
Total operating expenses
    -       68,710       7,632       -       (9,947 )     66,395  
Income from operations
    -       18,470       5,087       -       -       23,557  
Interest expense, net
    -       (8,688 )     (3,750 )     -       -       (12,438 )
Equity in income of subsidiaries
    8,562       -       -       8,562       (17,124 )     -  
Income before income taxes
    8,562       9,782       1,337       8,562       (17,124 )     11,119  
Income tax expense
    -       (1,220 )     (338 )     -       -       (1,558 )
Net income
  $ 8,562     $ 8,562     $ 999     $ 8,562     $ (17,124 )   $ 9,561  

 
26

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
Net broadcast revenue (including trade and barter)
  $ -     $ 342,326     $ 21,882     $ -     $ -     $ 364,208  
Revenue between consolidated entities
    -       7,295       28,885       -       (36,180 )     -  
Net revenue
    -       349,621       50,767       -       (36,180 )     364,208  
Operating expenses:
                                               
Direct operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    -       97,079       10,756       -       -       107,835  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    -       108,386       2,266       -       -       110,652  
Local service agreement fees between consolidated entities
    -       28,885       7,295       -       (36,180 )     -  
Amortization of broadcast rights
    -       22,046       4,821       -       -       26,867  
Amortization of intangible assets
    -       17,414       5,486       -       -       22,900  
Depreciation
    -       22,020       2,771       -       -       24,791  
Total operating expenses
    -       295,830       33,395       -       (36,180 )     293,045  
Income from operations
    -       53,791       17,372       -       -       71,163  
Interest expense, net
    -       (36,916 )     (13,436 )     -       -       (50,352 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    -       (1,048 )     -       -       -       (1,048 )
Other expense
    -       (252 )     -       -       -       (252 )
Equity in income of subsidiaries
    8,443       -       -       8,443       (16,886 )     -  
Income before income taxes
    8,443       15,575       3,936       8,443       (16,886 )     19,511  
Income tax expense
    -       (7,132 )     (1,712 )     -       -       (8,844 )
Net income
  $ 8,443     $ 8,443     $ 2,224     $ 8,443     $ (16,886 )   $ 10,667  

 
27

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
Net broadcast revenue (including trade and barter)
  $ -     $ 248,521     $ 13,937     $ -     $ -     $ 262,458  
Revenue between consolidated entities
    -       5,805       23,304       -       (29,109 )     -  
Net revenue
    -       254,326       37,241       -       (29,109 )     262,458  
Operating expenses:
                                               
Direct operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    -       60,583       5,347       -       -       65,930  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    -       79,705       2,041       -       -       81,746  
Local service agreement fees between consolidated entities
    -       23,304       5,805               (29,109 )     -  
Amortization of broadcast rights
    -       13,089       3,214       -       -       16,303  
Amortization of intangible assets
    -       12,784       3,811       -       -       16,595  
Depreciation
    -       15,217       2,142       -       -       17,359  
Total operating expenses
    -       204,682       22,360       -       (29,109 )     197,933  
Income from operations
    -       49,644       14,881       -       -       64,525  
Interest expense, net
    -       (26,715 )     (11,206 )     -       -       (37,921 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    -       (497 )     -       -       -       (497 )
Equity in income of subsidiaries
    18,705       -       -       18,705       (37,410 )     -  
Income before income taxes
    18,705       22,432       3,675       18,705       (37,410 )     26,107  
Income tax expense
    -       (3,727 )     (985 )     -       -       (4,712 )
Net income
  $ 18,705     $ 18,705     $ 2,690     $ 18,705     $ (37,410 )   $ 21,395  

 
28

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
Cash flows from operating activities
  $ -     $ 43,554     $ (743 )   $ -     $ 2,917     $ 45,728  
                                                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                               
Purchases of property and equipment
    -       (16,826 )     (81 )     -       -       (16,907 )
Deposits and payments for acquisitions
    -       (161,321 )     (59,509 )     -       -       (220,830 )
Other investing activities
    -       51       2,917       -       (2,917 )     51  
Net cash used in investing activities
    -       (178,096 )     (56,673 )     -       (2,917 )     (237,686 )
                                                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                               
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
    -       158,875       65,000       -       -       223,875  
Repayments of long-term debt
    -       (65,393 )     (5,520 )     -       -       (70,913 )
Common stock dividends paid
    (10,654 )     -       -       -       -       (10,654 )
Purchase of treasury stock
    (8,422 )     -       -       -       -       (8,422 )
Inter-company payments
    12,914       (12,914 )     -       -       -       -  
Other financing activities
    6,162       7,870       (340 )     -       -       13,692  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    -       88,438       59,140       -       -       147,578  
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    -       (46,104 )     1,724       -       -       (44,380 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    -       68,681       318       -       -       68,999  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ -     $ 22,577     $ 2,042     $ -     $ -     $ 24,619  

 
29

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
Cash flows from operating activities
  $ -     $ 66,973     $ 1,756     $ -     $ -     $ 68,729  
                                                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                               
Purchases of property and equipment
    -       (10,858 )     (166 )     -       -       (11,024 )
Escrow payments on station acquisitions
    -       (22,554 )     (6,000 )     -       -       (28,554 )
Other investing activities
    -       39       -       -       -       39  
Net cash used in investing activities
    -       (33,373 )     (6,166 )     -       -       (39,539 )
                                                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                               
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
    -       66,500       4,000       -       -       70,500  
Repayments of long-term debt
    -       (94,742 )     (993 )     -       -       (95,735 )
Inter-company payments
    (1,007 )     1,007       -       -       -       -  
Other financing activities
    1,007       (212 )     (60 )     -       -       735  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    -       (27,447 )     2,947       -       -       (24,500 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    -       6,153       (1,463 )     -       -       4,690  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    -       5,648       1,898       -       -       7,546  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ -     $ 11,801     $ 435     $ -     $ -     $ 12,236  

 
30

 

 
13.
Subsequent Events

In October 2013, Nexstar completed the sale and issuance of the Additional 6.875% Notes. In addition, Nexstar and Mission entered into amendments to each of their senior secured credit facilities which provided Term Loan B-2 Facilities and amended revolving credit facilities. The Company utilized a portion of the proceeds of the Additional 6.875% Notes and the Term Loan B-2 Facilities to repurchase a majority of the 8.875% Notes and to repay Nexstar’s outstanding revolving loans. The Company also issued a notice of redemption to redeem the remaining balance of the 8.875% Notes in November 2013. See Note 6 for additional information.

On October 25, 2013, Nexstar’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share of its Class A common stock. The dividend is payable on December 2, 2013 to shareholders of record on November 15, 2013.

On November 6, 2013, Nexstar entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire the outstanding equity of privately-held Grant Company, Inc. (“Grant”), the owner of 7 television stations in 4 markets, for $87.5 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital to be acquired. Simultaneous with this acquisition, Nexstar entered into a purchase agreement with Mission pursuant to which Mission will acquire one of Grant’s television stations from Nexstar and, upon consummation, enter into local service agreements with Nexstar. The acquisition will allow the Company entrance into 3 new markets: Roanoke, Virginia, Huntsville, Alabama and LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and, along with Citadel acquisition, will create a duopoly for the Company in the Quad Cities, Iowa market. A deposit of $8.5 million was paid upon signing the stock purchase agreement funded by cash on hand. The remaining purchase price is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to closing, borrowings under the existing credit facilities and future credit market transactions. The acquisition is subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and the Company is projecting it to close in the first quarter of 2014.

 
31

 

ITEM 2.                      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
As used in the report, unless the context indicates otherwise, “Nexstar” refers to Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries Nexstar Finance Holdings, Inc. (“Nexstar Holdings”) and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (“Nexstar Broadcasting”), and “Mission” refers to Mission Broadcasting, Inc. All references to “we,” “our,” “ours,” and “us” refer to Nexstar. All references to the “Company” refer to Nexstar and Mission collectively.
  
As a result of our deemed controlling financial interest in Mission, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), we consolidate the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Mission as if it were a wholly-owned entity. We believe this presentation is meaningful for understanding our financial performance. Refer to Note 2 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our determination that we are required to consolidate Mission’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows under the authoritative guidance for variable interest entities. Therefore, the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations includes Mission’s financial position and results of operations.
 
Executive Summary
 
2013 Highlights

•  
Net revenue during the third quarter of 2013 increased by $35.8 million, or 39.8% compared to the same period in 2012. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to our December 2012 acquisition of ten television stations and Inergize Digital Media (“Inergize”) from Newport Television, LLC (“Newport”) and an additional eight television stations acquired by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
•  
On November 6, 2013, we entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire the outstanding equity of privately-held Grant Company, Inc. (“Grant”), the owner of seven television stations in four markets, for $87.5 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital to be acquired. Simultaneous with this acquisition, we entered into a purchase agreement with Mission pursuant to which Mission will acquire one of Grant’s television stations and enter into local service agreements with us. A deposit of $8.5 million was paid upon signing the stock purchase agreement funded by our cash on hand. The remaining purchase price is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to closing, borrowings under our and Mission’s existing credit facilities and future credit market transactions. We project the acquisition to close in the first quarter of 2014.
 
•  
On October 1, 2013, we issued $275.0 million of Additional 6.875% Notes at 100.25%. The Additional 6.875% Notes will mature on November 15, 2020 and interest is payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year.
 
•  
On October 1, 2013, we and Mission entered into amendments to each of our senior secured credit facilities. The amendments provided for incremental term loan facilities (“Term Loan B-2 Facilities”) to us of $25.0 million and to Mission of $125.0 million and amended revolving credit facilities available to us of $75.0 million and to Mission of $30.0 million. The principal amounts under the Term Loan B-2 Facilities are reduced by quarterly payments of 0.25% beginning December 31, 2013. The remainder of the principal is due in full at maturity on October 1, 2020.
 
•  
We and Mission expect to use the proceeds from the Additional 6.875% Notes and Term Loan B-2 Facilities to repurchase the outstanding principal balance of the 8.875% Notes, to partially fund the Company’s acquisition of five television stations in four markets from Citadel and Stainless Broadcasting, L.P. (“Stainless”), to pay for related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. On October 1, 2013, we and Mission repurchased $292.7 million of the 8.875% Notes at 108.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in accordance with a tender offer. The repurchase resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $31.3 million. We and Mission issued a notice of redemption to the holders of the remaining principal balance of $21.9 million at a redemption price as defined in the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, to redeem such outstanding amount on November 16, 2013.

 
32

 
 
•  
On September 16, 2013, we entered into definitive agreements to acquire three television stations in three markets. Under the terms of the purchase agreements, we will acquire the assets of KCAU and WHBF and the outstanding equity of WOI for a total of $87.9 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital, from Citadel Communications, L.P. and its related entities (“Citadel”). We made payments of $44.8 million to acquire the assets excluding FCC licenses and real property interests of KCAU and WHBF and $21.0 million as an upfront payment to acquire the outstanding equity of WOI, funded by a combination of borrowings under our revolving credit facility and cash on hand. We began providing programming and sales services to these stations pursuant to time brokerage agreements effective September 16, 2013. We expect to fund the $22.0 million remaining purchase price on these acquisitions through borrowings under our existing credit facility and cash on hand. The acquisitions are subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and we project them to close in the first quarter of 2014.
 
•  
On September 13, 2013, Mission entered into a definitive agreement to acquire two television stations in the Binghamton, New York market, from Stainless. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, Mission will acquire the assets of WICZ and WBPN-LP for $15.3 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital to be acquired. A deposit of $0.2 million was paid upon signing the agreement. The remaining purchase price is expected to be funded by Mission through borrowings under its existing credit facility and cash on hand. The acquisition is subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and Mission projects it to close in the first quarter of 2014.
 
•  
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends of $0.12 per share of Nexstar’s common stock. Total payments for dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $10.7 million.
 
•  
On June 28, 2013, we and Mission entered into amendments to each of our senior secured credit facilities. The amendments provided commitments for incremental term loan facilities (“Term Loan A Facilities”) available to us of $144.0 million and to Mission of $90.0 million, subject to reallocation of up to $18.0 million for the benefit of Rocky Creek Communications, Inc. (“Rocky Creek”), an independent third party, pursuant to the terms of the amended credit agreements. On June 28, 2013, we received initial proceeds of $50.0 million under our incremental term loan facility, which was used to repay outstanding revolving loans of $27.0 million in June 2013 and $22.0 million in July 2013.
 
•  
On April 24, 2013, we and Mission entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire the stock of privately-held Communications Corporation of America (“CCA”) and White Knight Broadcasting (“White Knight”), the owners of 19 television stations in 10 markets, for a total consideration of $270.0 million, subject to adjustments for working capital to be acquired. A deposit of $27.0 million was paid upon signing the agreement which was funded by a combination of borrowings under our revolving credit facility and cash on hand. The remaining purchase price is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to closing, borrowings under the existing credit facilities and future credit market transactions. We project the acquisitions to close in the fourth quarter of 2013 or the first quarter of 2014.
 
•  
On March 1, 2013, we and Mission acquired the assets of WFFF, the FOX affiliate, and WVNY, the ABC affiliate, both in the Burlington, Vermont market from Smith Media, LLC for a total consideration of $16.6 million in cash, funded by a combination of our and Mission’s $10.0 million total borrowings from the revolving credit facilities and cash on hand.
 
•  
Effective February 1, 2013, we acquired the assets of KGPE, the CBS affiliate in Fresno, California market, KGET, the NBC/CW affiliate, and KKEY-LP, the low powered Telemundo affiliate, both in the Bakersfield, California market, from Newport for  $35.4 million in cash, funded by cash on hand.
 
•  
Effective February 1, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of KSEE, the NBC affiliate serving the Fresno, California market, and an unrelated network affiliation agreement from Granite Broadcasting Corporation for $26.5 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital acquired. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, we made a payment of $20.0 million, funded by cash on hand, to acquire the station’s assets excluding FCC license and certain transmission equipment. On April 17, 2013, we received approval from the FCC to purchase the remaining assets of KSEE. On May 31, 2013, we completed the acquisition of the FCC license and certain transmission equipment and paid the remaining purchase price of $6.5 million.

 
33

 
 
•  
Effective January 1, 2013, Mission acquired the assets of KLRT-TV, the FOX affiliate and KASN, the CW affiliate, both in the Little Rock, Arkansas market, from Newport for $59.7 million, funded by Mission’s $60.0 million term loan under its senior secured credit facility.
 
Overview of Operations

As of September 30, 2013, we owned, operated, programmed or provided sales and other services to 75 television stations and 19 digital multicast channels, including those owned by Mission, in 44 markets in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, New York, Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, Utah, Vermont, California and Iowa. The stations are affiliates of NBC (16 stations), CBS (13 stations), ABC (19 stations), FOX (14 stations), MyNetworkTV (5 stations and 2 digital multicast channels), The CW (6 stations and 2 digital multicast channels), Bounce TV (9 digital multicast channels), Me-TV (2 digital multicast channels), Telemundo (one station), LATV (one digital multicast channel), LiveWell (3 digital multicast channels) and one independent station. Through various local service agreements, we provided sales, programming and other services to 25 stations and 7 digital multicast channels owned and/or operated by independent third parties. See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q for a discussion of the local service agreements we have with Mission.

We also guarantee all obligations incurred under Mission’s senior secured credit facility. Similarly, Mission is a guarantor of our senior secured credit facility and senior subordinated notes. In consideration of our guarantee of Mission’s senior secured credit facility, Mission has granted us purchase options to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission station, subject to FCC consent, for an amount equal to the greater of (1) seven times the station’s cash flow, as defined in the option agreement, less the amount of its indebtedness, as defined in the option agreement, or (2) the amount of its indebtedness. Additionally, we have an option to purchase any or all of Mission’s stock, subject to FCC consent, for a price equal to the pro rata portion of the greater of (1) five times the stations’ cash flow, as defined in the agreement, reduced by the amount of indebtedness, as defined in the agreement, or (2) $100,000. These option agreements (which expire on various dates between 2013 and 2023) are freely exercisable or assignable by us without consent or approval by Mission or its shareholders. We expect these option agreements to be renewed upon expiration.

We do not own Mission or its television stations. However, we are deemed under U.S. GAAP to have a controlling financial interest in Mission because of (1) the local service agreements Nexstar has with the Mission stations, (2) Nexstar’s guarantee of the obligations incurred under Mission’s senior secured credit facility, (3) Nexstar having power over significant activities affecting Mission’s economic performance, including budgeting for advertising revenue, advertising sales and hiring and firing of sales force personnel and (4) purchase options granted by Mission that permit Nexstar to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission station, subject to FCC consent. In compliance with FCC regulations for both us and Mission, Mission maintains complete responsibility for and control over programming, finances and personnel for its stations.

Seasonality
 
Advertising revenue is positively affected by strong local economies, national and regional political election campaigns, and certain events such as the Olympic Games or the Super Bowl. The Company’s stations’ advertising revenue is generally highest in the second and fourth quarters of each year, due in part to increases in consumer advertising in the spring and retail advertising in the period leading up to, and including, the holiday season. In addition, advertising revenue is generally higher during even-numbered years, when state, congressional and presidential elections occur and advertising airs during the Olympic Games. As 2013 is not an election or Olympic year, we expect less advertising revenue to be reported in 2013 compared to 2012 on our legacy stations.


 
34

 


Historical Performance
 
Revenue
 
The following table sets forth the amounts of the Company’s principal types of revenue (in thousands) and each type of revenue (other than trade and barter) and agency commissions as a percentage of total gross revenue:

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
Local
  $ 63,605       49.0     $ 44,743       47.3     $ 190,270       50.6     $ 137,535       50.2  
National
    28,646       22.1       19,308       20.4       80,596       21.4       55,543       20.3  
Political
    1,030       0.8       10,153       10.7       3,615       1.0       18,929       6.9  
Retransmission compensation
    25,586       19.7       15,102       16.0       74,304       19.8       44,881       16.3  
Digital media revenue
    10,058       7.6       4,482       4.7       24,223       6.4       13,041       4.8  
Network compensation
    135       0.1       191       0.2       498       0.1       585       0.2  
Management fee
    -       -       -       -       -       -       1,961       0.7  
Other
    851       0.7       528       0.7       2,712       0.7       1,760       0.6  
Total gross revenue
    129,911       100.0       94,507       100.0       376,218       100.0       274,235       100.0  
Less:  Agency commissions
    (12,009 )     (9.2 )     (9,661 )     (10.2 )     (35,192 )     (9.4 )     (27,344 )     (10.0 )
Net broadcast revenue
    117,902       90.8       84,846       89.8       341,026       90.6       246,891       90.0  
Trade and barter revenue
    7,890               5,106               23,182               15,567          
Net revenue
  $ 125,792             $ 89,952             $ 364,208             $ 262,458          

Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s operations (in thousands) and each component of operating expense as a percentage of net revenue:
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
Net revenue
  $ 125,792       100.0     $ 89,952       100.0     $ 364,208       100.0     $ 262,458       100.0  
Operating expenses:
                                                               
Corporate expenses
    6,682       5.3       5,891       6.5       20,294       5.6       16,424       6.2  
Station direct operating expenses, net of trade
    35,557       28.3       20,536       22.8       102,556       28.2       61,047       23.3  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    30,905       24.6       21,615       24.0       90,358       24.8       65,322       24.9  
Trade and barter expense
    7,636       6.1       4,661       5.2       22,601       6.2       14,697       5.6  
Depreciation
    8,598       6.8       5,896       6.6       24,791       6.8       17,359       6.6  
Amortization of intangible assets
    7,996       6.4       5,480       6.1       22,900       6.3       16,595       6.3  
Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter
    3,265       2.6       2,316       2.6       9,545       2.6       6,489       2.5  
Income from operations
  $ 25,153             $ 23,557             $ 71,163             $ 64,525          

 
35

 

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
Revenue
 
Gross local advertising revenue was $63.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $44.7 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $18.9 million, or 42.2%. Gross national advertising revenue was $28.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $19.3 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $9.3 million, or 48.4%. The increase in local and national advertising revenue was primarily attributable to incremental revenue from the Company’s newly acquired stations, net of station disposal, of $29.4 million. Our legacy stations’ local and national advertising revenue declined from three months ended September 30, 2012, which included $5.4 million of revenue from the Olympics on our NBC affiliate stations. Our largest advertiser category, automotive, represented 26.0% of our legacy stations’ local and national advertising revenue during each of the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Overall, this category decreased by 1.2% for our legacy stations. The other categories representing our top five for our legacy stations were paid programming, which decreased 10.4%, fast food/restaurants, which decreased 1.3%, radio/TV/cable/newspapers, which increased 46.1% and furniture, which decreased 2.8%.

Gross political advertising revenue was $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $10.1 million for the same period in 2012, a decrease of $9.1 million, or 89.9%, as expected, due to 2013 not being an election year.
 
Retransmission compensation was $25.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $15.1 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $10.5 million, or 69.4%. The increase in retransmission compensation was primarily attributable to the $8.6 million incremental revenue from the Company’s newly acquired stations, net of station disposal, and the result of contracts providing for higher rates per subscriber during the year on our legacy stations.
 
Digital media revenue, representing web-based advertising revenue generated at our stations and Inergize, was $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2012, or an increase of $5.6 million. The increase is primarily attributable to the $5.5 million incremental revenue from our newly acquired stations and Inergize, net of station disposal, including nonrecurring customer contract termination fees of $4.3 million.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Corporate expenses, related to costs associated with the centralized management of our and Mission’s stations, were $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $5.9 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $0.8 million, or 13.4%. This is primarily attributable to an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $0.3 million due to stock option grants during the third quarter of 2012 and an increase in bonus expense of $0.3 million related to higher revenue.
 
Station direct operating expenses, consisting primarily of news, engineering, programming and selling, general and administrative expenses (net of trade expense) were $66.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $42.1 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $24.3 million, or 57.7%. The increase was primarily due to expenses of the Company’s newly acquired stations, net of station disposal, of $20.5 million and an increase in programming costs of our legacy stations of $2.8 million primarily related to recently enacted network agreements. Networks now require additional compensation from broadcasters for the use of network programming. Network program fees have recently increased industry wide and will continue to increase over the next several years.
 
Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter was $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $2.3 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $0.9 million, or 41.0%, of which $1.3 million is attributable to the Company’s newly acquired stations, net of station disposal. This increase was partially offset by changes in the programming mix of our legacy stations.
 
Amortization of intangible assets was $8.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $5.5 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $2.5 million, or 45.9%. The increase was primarily attributable to incremental amortization of intangible assets from the Company’s newly acquired stations of $2.8 million and an additional $1.0 million amortization of intangible assets associated with certain customer contract terminations. These increases were partially offset by a $1.3 million decrease from certain of our legacy stations upon reaching full amortization of other intangible assets.
 

 
36

 
 
Depreciation of property and equipment was $8.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $5.9 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $2.7 million, or 45.8%, primarily due to the incremental depreciation of fixed assets from the Company’s newly acquired stations.

Interest Expense
 
Interest expense, net was $16.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $12.4 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $4.5 million, or 35.9%. The increase was primarily attributable to our and Mission’s borrowings during the fourth quarter of 2012 and during 2013 to fund the acquisition of stations. This was partially offset by lower interest rates on our outstanding debt as a result of refinanced senior secured credit facilities that we and Mission completed during the fourth quarter of 2012 as well as lower interest rates on borrowings during 2013.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income tax expense was $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $1.6 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $2.0 million. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was 49.5%. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2012, a valuation allowance was recorded against deferred tax assets for net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and other deferred tax assets, and our provision for income taxes was primarily created by changes in the position arising from the amortization of goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets for income tax purposes, which are not amortized for financial reporting purposes. In the fourth quarter of 2012, we released the full amount of our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets for NOLs and other deferred tax assets.
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
Revenue
 
Gross local advertising revenue was $190.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $137.5 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $52.7 million, or 38.3%. Gross national advertising revenue was $80.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $55.5 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $25.1 million, or 45.1%. The increase in local and national advertising revenue was primarily attributable to incremental revenue from the Company’s newly acquired stations, net of station disposal, of $83.1 million. Our legacy stations’ local and national advertising revenue declined from nine months ended September 30, 2012, which included $5.5 million of revenues from the Olympics on our NBC affiliate stations. Our largest advertiser category, automotive, represented 24.6% and 23.8% of our legacy stations’ local and national advertising revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Overall, this category increased by 0.6% for our legacy stations. The other categories representing our top five for our legacy stations were paid programming, which decreased 11.8%, fast food/restaurants, which decreased 6.8%, furniture, which increased 1.6% and radio/TV/cable/newspapers, which increased 14.0%.

Gross political advertising revenue was $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $18.9 million for the same period in 2012, a decrease of $15.3 million, or 80.9%, as expected, due to 2013 not being an election year.
 
Retransmission compensation was $74.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $44.9 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $29.4 million, or 65.6%. The increase in retransmission compensation was primarily attributable to the $23.3 million incremental revenue from the Company’s newly acquired stations, net of station disposal, and the result of contracts providing for higher rates per subscriber during the year on our legacy stations.

Digital media revenue, representing web-based advertising revenue generated at our stations and Inergize, was $24.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $13.0 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $11.2 million or 85.7%. The increase is primarily attributable to the $10.7 million incremental revenue from our newly acquired stations and Inergize, net of station disposal, including nonrecurring customer contract termination fees of $5.5 million.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Corporate expenses, related to costs associated with the centralized management of Nexstar’s and Mission’s stations, were $20.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $16.4 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $3.9 million, or 23.6%. This was primarily due to an increase in legal and professional fees of $1.8 million associated with our and Mission’s acquisition of television stations, post-closing activities relative to senior secured credit facilities, exchange offer on our 6.875% Notes, tender offer of our 8.875% Notes and capital market activities, an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $0.9 million due to stock option grants during the third quarter of 2012 and an increase in bonus expense related to higher revenue of $0.9 million.
 

 
37

 
 
Station direct operating expenses, consisting primarily of news, engineering, programming and selling, general and administrative expenses (net of trade expense) were $192.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $126.4 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $66.5 million, or 52.7%. The increase was primarily due to expenses of the Company’s newly acquired stations, net of station disposal, of $56.8 million and an increase in programming costs of our legacy stations of $7.5 million related to recently enacted network agreements. Networks now require additional compensation from broadcasters for the use of network programming. Network program fees have recently increased industry wide and will to continue to increase over the next several years.
 
Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter was $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $6.5 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $3.1 million, or 47.1%, of which $4.5 million is attributable to the Company’s newly acquired stations. This increase was partially offset by changes in the programming mix of our legacy stations.
 
Amortization of intangible assets was $22.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $16.6 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $6.3 million, or 38.0%. The increase was primarily attributable to incremental amortization of intangible assets from the Company’s newly acquired stations of $8.6 million and an additional $1.0 million amortization of intangible assets associated with certain customer contract terminations. These increases were partially offset by a $3.4 million decrease from certain of our legacy stations upon reaching full amortization of other intangible assets.
 
Depreciation of property and equipment was $24.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $17.4 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $7.4 million, or 42.8%, primarily due to the incremental depreciation of fixed assets from the Company’s newly acquired stations.

Interest Expense
 
Interest expense, net was $50.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $37.9 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $12.4 million, or 32.8%. The increase was primarily attributable to our and Mission’s borrowings during the fourth quarter of 2012 and during 2013 to fund the acquisition of stations and for general corporate purposes. This was partially offset by lower interest rates on our outstanding debt as a result of refinanced senior secured credit facilities that we and Mission completed during the fourth quarter of 2012 as well as lower interest rates on borrowings during 2013.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income tax expense was $8.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $4.7 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $4.1 million, or 87.7%. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 45.3%. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2012, a valuation allowance was recorded against deferred tax assets for NOLs and other deferred tax assets, and our provision for income taxes was primarily created by changes in the position arising from the amortization of goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets for income tax purposes, which are not amortized for financial reporting purposes. In the fourth quarter of 2012, we released the full amount of our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets for NOLs and other deferred tax assets.


 
38

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We and Mission are highly leveraged, which makes the Company vulnerable to changes in general economic conditions. Our and Mission’s ability to meet the future cash requirements described below depends on our and Mission’s ability to generate cash in the future, which is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other conditions, many of which are beyond our and Mission’s control. Based on current operations and anticipated future growth, we believe that our and Mission’s available cash, anticipated cash flow from operations and available borrowings under the Nexstar and Mission senior secured credit facilities will be sufficient to fund working capital, capital expenditure requirements, interest payments and scheduled debt principal payments for at least the next twelve months. In order to meet future cash needs, we may, from time to time, borrow under our existing senior secured credit facilities or issue other long- or short-term debt or equity, if the market and the terms of our existing debt arrangements permit, and Mission may, from time to time, borrow under its existing senior secured credit facility. We will continue to evaluate the best use of Nexstar’s operating cash flow among its capital expenditures, acquisitions and debt reduction.

Overview
 
The following tables present summarized financial information management believes is helpful in evaluating the Company’s liquidity and capital resources (in thousands):

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 45,728     $ 68,729  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (237,686 )     (39,539 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    147,578       (24,500 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (44,380 )   $ 4,690  
Cash paid for interest
  $ 36,901     $ 32,693  
Cash paid for income taxes, net
  $ 2,143     $ 522  

 
As of
 
As of
 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 24,619     $ 68,999  
Long-term debt including current portion
    1,011,499       857,642  
Unused incremental term loan commitments under senior secured credit facilities
    184,000       -  
Unused revolving loan commitments under senior secured credit facilities(1) 
    45,000       100,000  
_________________________
(1)
Based on covenant calculations, as of September 30, 2013, all of the $45.0 million unused revolving loan commitments under the Nexstar and Mission senior secured credit facilities were available for borrowing.

Cash Flows – Operating Activities
 
Net cash flows provided by operating activities decreased by $23.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This was primarily due to a $30.8 million use of cash resulting from the timing of collections of accounts receivable, the impact of the excess tax benefit from stock option exercises of $9.8 million, an increase in cash paid for interest of $4.2 million, an increase in payments for broadcast rights of $4.4 million, an increase in payments for income taxes of $1.6 million and $0.9 million premium paid on partial repurchase of the 8.875% Notes. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in net revenue of $101.8 million less an increase in corporate expenses, station direct operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses of $70.4 million and a $4.8 million source of cash from the timing of payment to vendors.

Cash paid for interest increased by $4.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. The increase was due to the $8.9 million cash interest paid on our 6.875% Notes, an increase in cash interest paid on our and Mission’s senior secured credit facilities of $6.1 million due to higher amounts of term loans and revolving loans outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 and an increase in cash interest paid on the 8.875% Notes of $0.4 million. These increases were partially offset by an $11.3 million decrease in cash paid for interest on our 7% Senior subordinated Notes (“7% Notes”) and 7% Senior subordinated PIK Notes (“7% PIK Notes”) that were retired in the fourth quarter of 2012.
 

 
39

 
 
Cash Flows – Investing Activities
 
Net cash flows used in investing activities increased by $198.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. We and Mission made total payments of $193.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to acquire the assets of eight television stations in four markets from various sellers and to enter into agreements to acquire three television stations in three markets from Citadel and two stations in one market from Stainless. We also paid a $27.0 million deposit upon signing the stock purchase agreement we and Mission entered into with CCA and White Knight. In 2012, we paid a $28.6 million deposit to acquire twelve television stations in eight markets and Inergize from Newport. Capital expenditures were $16.9 million during the nine months of 2013 compared to $11.0 million for the same period in 2012.
 
Cash Flows – Financing Activities
 
Net cash flows provided by financing activities were $147.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the net cash used in financing activities of $24.5 million for the same period in 2012. In 2013, we and Mission borrowed a total of $223.9 million in additional term loans and revolving loans under our and Mission’s senior secured credit facilities to partially finance acquisitions, to partially fund the required deposit to acquire the stock of CCA and White Knight and for general corporate purposes. We also received $6.2 million proceeds from stock option exercises and recognized a cash inflow of $9.8 million excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation arrangements. These cash flow increases were partially offset by repayments of $60.8 million outstanding obligations under our and Mission’s senior secured facilities, partial repurchase of the 8.875% Notes of $10.2 million, quarterly dividend payments to our Class A and Class B stockholders of $10.7 million, purchase of treasury stock for $8.4 million and payments for debt financing costs of $2.2 million. In 2012, we completed a partial redemption of $34.0 million outstanding on our 7% Notes and borrowed a net amount of $8.7 million on our revolving loans.
 
Our senior secured credit facility restricts but does not prohibit the payment of cash dividends to common stockholders.

Future Sources of Financing and Debt Service Requirements
 
As of September 30, 2013, we and Mission had total combined debt of $1.0 billion, which represented 98.9% of Nexstar and Mission’s combined capitalization. Our and Mission’s high level of debt requires that a substantial portion of cash flow be dedicated to pay principal and interest on debt, which reduces the funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes.

Nexstar and Mission had $45.0 million of total unused revolving loan commitments under their respective senior secured credit facilities, all of which were available for borrowing, based on the covenant calculations as of September 30, 2013. The Company’s ability to access funds under its senior secured credit facilities depends, in part, on our compliance with certain financial covenants. Any additional drawings under senior secured credit facilities will reduce our and Mission’s future borrowing capacity and the amount of total unused revolving loan commitments.

The Company’s unused Term Loan A Facilities of $184.0 million are expected to be utilized to fund a portion of the remaining $243.0 million due for the acquisition of CCA and White Knight upon closing, which we project to close in the fourth quarter of 2013 or the first quarter of 2014. The Company expects to fund the remaining purchase price through cash on hand and cash generated prior to closing and additional amounts drawn under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities.

In October 2013, we generated $275.0 million from the issuance of the Additional 6.875% Notes and the Company generated $150.0 million from the Term Loan B-2 Facilities and increased the Company’s available revolving credit facilities to $105.0 million. The Company utilized a portion of the cash received to repurchase $292.7 million of 8.875% Notes for $318.7 million and repay $55.0 million in outstanding revolving loans. Additionally, the Company will redeem the remaining principal balance of $21.9 million of 8.875% Notes on November 16, 2013.

The Company also has signed agreements to acquire stations from Citadel, Stainless and Grant. We will fund the remaining $22.0 million to Citadel and $79.0 million to Grant, subject to adjustments for working capital, upon closing, which we project to occur in the first quarter of 2014. Mission will finance the remaining $15.1 million purchase price, subject to working capital adjustments, to Stainless upon closing, which Mission expects to close in the first quarter of 2014.
 
 
40

 

The following table summarizes the approximate aggregate amount of principal indebtedness scheduled to mature for the periods referenced as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):

         
Remainder
                   
   
Total
   
of 2013
      2014-2015       2016-2017    
Thereafter
 
Nexstar senior secured credit facility(1) 
  $ 349,770     $ 615     $ 10,045     $ 69,545     $ 269,565  
Mission senior secured credit facility(1) 
    103,480       260       2,080       2,080       99,060  
8.875% senior secured second lien notes due 2017(1)     314,575       -       -       314,575       -  
6.875 senior unsecured notes due 2020(1) 
    250,000       -       -       -       250,000  
    $ 1,017,825     $ 875     $ 12,125     $ 386,200     $ 618,625  
_____________________________
(1)
In October 2013, the Company repurchased $292.7 million of the 8.875% Notes and issued a redemption notice for the remaining balance of $21.9 million to be paid on November 16, 2013, issued $275.0 million of Additional 6.875% Notes, obtained additional $150.0 million in term loans from its senior secured credit facilities and repaid $55.0 million of outstanding revolving loans under the Nexstar senior secured credit facility.
 
We make semiannual interest payments on our 6.875% Notes on May 15 and November 15 of each year. Interest payments on our and Mission’s senior secured credit facilities are generally paid every one to three months and are payable based on the type of interest rate selected.
 
The terms of the Nexstar and Mission senior secured credit facilities, as well as the indentures governing our respective notes, limit, but do not prohibit us or Mission from incurring substantial amounts of additional debt in the future.

We do not have any rating downgrade triggers that would accelerate the maturity dates of our debt. However, a downgrade in our credit rating could adversely affect our ability to renew existing credit facilities, obtain access to new credit facilities or otherwise issue debt in the future and could increase the cost of such debt.

Debt Covenants
 
Our senior secured credit facility contains covenants that require us to comply with certain financial ratios, including: (a) a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio, (b) a maximum consolidated first lien indebtedness ratio, and (c) a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio. The covenants, which are calculated on a quarterly basis, include the combined results of Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission. Mission’s senior secured credit facility does not contain financial covenant ratio requirements; however, it does include an event of default if Nexstar does not comply with all covenants contained in its credit agreement. The 6.875% Notes contain restrictive covenants customary for borrowing arrangements of this type. We believe we and Mission will be able to maintain compliance with all covenants contained in the credit agreements governing our senior secured facilities and the indentures governing our respective notes for a period of at least the next twelve months from September 30, 2013.
 
No Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of September 30, 2013, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. All of our arrangements with Mission are on-balance sheet arrangements. Our variable interests in other entities are obtained through local service agreements, which have valid business purposes and transfer certain station activities from the station owners to us. We are, therefore, not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to goodwill and intangible assets, bad debts, broadcast rights, trade and barter and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
 

 
41

 
 
Information with respect to our critical accounting policies which we believe could have the most significant effect on our reported results and require subjective or complex judgments by management is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Management believes that as of September 30, 2013 there has been no material change to this information.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
Refer to Note 2 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements, including our expected date of adoption and effects on results of operations and financial position.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including: any projections or expectations of earnings, revenue, financial performance, liquidity and capital resources or other financial items; any assumptions or projections about the television broadcasting industry; any statements of our plans, strategies and objectives for our future operations, performance, liquidity and capital resources or other financial items; any statements concerning proposed new products, services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and other similar words.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ from this projection or assumption in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial position and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and inherent risks and uncertainties, including those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made only as of the date hereof, and we do not have or undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances unless otherwise required by law.
 
ITEM 3.                   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our long-term debt obligations.
 
The term loan borrowings at September 30, 2013 under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities bear interest rates ranging from 2.4% to 4.3%, which represented the base rate, or LIBOR, plus the applicable margin, as defined. The revolving loans bear interest at LIBOR plus the applicable margin, which totaled 4.4% at September 30, 2013. Interest is payable in accordance with the credit agreements.
 
If LIBOR were to increase by 100 basis points, or one percentage point, from its September 30, 2013 level, the Company’s annual interest expense would increase and cash flow from operations would decrease by approximately $1.9 million, based on the outstanding balances of the Company’s senior secured credit facilities as of September 30, 2013. Due to the LIBOR floor on certain of our term loans, an increase of 50 basis points in LIBOR would result in a $0.5 million increase in annual interest expense and decrease in cash flow from operations. If LIBOR were to decrease either by 100 basis points or 50 basis points, the Company’s annual interest would decrease and cash flow from operations would increase by $0.3 million. Our 6.875% Notes are fixed rate debt obligations and therefore are not exposed to market interest rate changes. As of September 30, 2013, we have no financial instruments in place to hedge against changes in the benchmark interest rates on the Company’s senior secured credit facilities.
 
Impact of Inflation
 
We believe that our results of operations are not affected by moderate changes in the inflation rate.


 
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ITEM 4.
Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Nexstar’s management, with the participation of its President and Chief Executive Officer along with its Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Nexstar’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Based upon that evaluation, Nexstar’s President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, Nexstar’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to Nexstar’s management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

As of the quarter ended September 30, 2013, there have been no changes in Nexstar’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
From time to time, Nexstar and Mission are involved in litigation that arises from the ordinary operations of business, such as contractual or employment disputes or other general actions. In the event of an adverse outcome of these proceedings, Nexstar and Mission believe the resulting liabilities would not have a material adverse effect on Nexstar’s and Mission’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
 
There are no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, except for the following changes, due to changes in our ownership structure.

The following risk factors should no longer be considered by investors:

·  
Our ability to use net operating loss carry-forwards ("NOL"s) to reduce future tax payments may be limited if taxable income does not reach sufficient levels or there is a change in ownership of Nexstar.

·  
The level of foreign investments held by our principal stockholder, ABRY, may limit additional foreign investments made in us.

·  
The interest of our principal stockholder, ABRY, in other media may limit our ability to acquire television stations in particular markets, restricting our ability to execute our acquisition strategy.

·  
We are controlled by one principal stockholder, ABRY, and its interests may differ from your interests.
 

 
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The following risk factors replace the above risk factors in their entirety:

We are subject to foreign ownership limitations which limits foreign investments in us.

The Communications Act limits the extent of non-U.S. ownership of companies that own U.S. broadcast stations. Under this restriction, a U.S. broadcast company such as ours may have no more than 20% (in the case of a licensed entity) or 25% (in the case of a parent company) non-U.S. ownership (by vote and by equity).

The FCC’s multiple ownership rules may limit our ability to acquire television stations in particular markets, restricting our ability to execute our acquisition strategy.

The number of television stations we may acquire in any market is limited by FCC rules and may vary depending upon whether the interests in other television stations or other media properties of persons affiliated with us are attributable under FCC rules. The broadcast or other media interests of our officers, directors and stockholders with 5% or greater voting power are attributable under the FCC’s rules, which may limit us from acquiring or owning television stations in particular markets while those officers, directors or stockholders are associated with us. In addition, the holder of otherwise non-attributable equity and/or debt in a licensee in excess of 33% of the total debt and equity of the licensee will be attributable where the holder is either a major program supplier to that licensee or the holder has an attributable interest in another broadcast station or daily newspaper in the same market.

Our ability to use net operating loss carry-forwards ("NOL"s) to reduce future tax payments may be limited if taxable income does not reach sufficient levels or there is a change in ownership of Nexstar.

At December 31, 2012, we had NOLs of approximately $349.5 million for U.S. federal tax purposes and $76.6 million for state tax purposes. These NOLs expire at varying dates through 2031. To the extent available, we intend to use these NOLs to reduce the corporate income tax liability associated with our operations. Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ("Section 382"), generally imposes an annual limitation on the amount of NOLs that may be used to offset taxable income when a corporation has undergone significant changes in stock ownership. In general, an ownership change, as defined by Section 382, results from a transaction or series of transactions over a three-year period resulting in an ownership change of more than 50 percentage points of the outstanding stock of a company by certain stockholders or public groups, which are generally outside of our control.

On May 7, 2013, our principal stockholder, ABRY Partners, LLC ("ABRY") sold the remainder of its common stock holdings in Nexstar and no longer holds an ownership interest in us. As a result of this sale, an ownership change has occurred resulting in a Section 382 limitation on the use of Nexstar's NOLs. Additionally, any subsequent ownership changes in us or Mission could result in additional limitations.

The ability to use NOLs is also dependent upon our ability to generate taxable income. The NOLs could expire before we generate sufficient taxable income. To the extent our use of NOLs is significantly limited, our income could be subject to corporate income tax earlier than it would if we were able to use NOLs, which could have a negative effect on our financial results and operations. Changes in ownership are largely beyond our control and we can give no assurance that we will continue to have realizable NOLs.
 
ITEM 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
None.
 
ITEM 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None.
 
ITEM 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

None.
 
ITEM 5.
Other Information
 
The unaudited financial statements of Mission Broadcasting, Inc. as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, as filed in Mission Broadcasting, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, are incorporated herein by reference.


 
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ITEM 6.
Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Supplemental Indenture, dated October 1, 2013 by and among Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on October 2, 2013)
4.2
First Supplemental Indenture, dated October 1, 2013, by and among Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee and collateral agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on October 2, 2013)
10.1
Registration Rights Agreements, dated as of October 1, 2013 by and among Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., Mission Broadcasting, Inc., and Credit Suisse Securities (USA), LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Barclays Capital, Inc. and Suntrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on October 2, 2013)
10.2
Second Amendment (Incremental Amendment) to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2013, by and among Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., Nexstar Finance Holdings, Inc., Bank of America, N.A. and the several Banks parties thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on October 2, 2013)
10.3
Second Amendment (Incremental Amendment) to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 1, by and among Mission Broadcasting, Inc., Bank of America, N.A. and the several Banks parties thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on October 2, 2013)
10.4
Option Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2013, among Mission Broadcasting, Inc., Nancie Smith, Dennis Thatcher and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (WTVW)*
31.1
Certification of Perry A. Sook pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2
Certification of Thomas E. Carter pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1
Certification of Perry A. Sook pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350.*
32.2
Certification of Thomas E. Carter pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350.*
101
The Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language).*
 
*           Filed herewith

 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
 
 
/S/ PERRY A. SOOK                       
By:
Perry A. Sook
Its:
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
   
 
/S/ THOMAS E. CARTER                     
By:
Thomas E. Carter
Its:
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
 
Dated: November 8, 2013