UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 1, 2017
ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania | 001-14461 | 23-1701044 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) |
401 E. City Avenue, Suite 809 Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania |
19004 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (610)-660-5610
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☒ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
On November 1, 2017, Entercom Communications Corp. (Entercom) announced a series of developments in connection with the previously announced merger (the Merger) between Entercom and CBS Radio Inc. (CBS Radio), a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation (CBS), including:
| A consent decree among Entercom, CBS Radio and CBS, and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (the DOJ) that will resolve the DOJs investigation into the Merger; |
| Asset exchange agreements with iHeart Media, Inc. (iHeart) and Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (Beasley) in respect of stations in Boston, Seattle, Richmond and Chattanooga; and |
| Local marketing agreements with Bonneville International Corporation (Bonneville) in respect of stations in San Francisco and Sacramento. |
In connection with these developments, Entercom expects the Merger to close as early as November 17, 2017, pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission (the FCC).
Additionally, on November 1, 2017, David Field, President and Chief Executive Officer of Entercom, sent an email to all employees of Entercom announcing these developments.
Copies of the press release and email are filed as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 hereto, respectively, and both are incorporated by reference in their entirety to this Item 8.01.
Consent Decree
On November 1, 2017, Entercom announced that the parties to the Merger have agreed to a consent decree with the DOJ that will resolve the DOJs investigation into the Merger. The consent decree provides for the divestiture of certain radio stations and a hold separate order that requires the parties to keep the divestiture assets separate until the divestitures are completed. Upon signature by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia of the hold separate order and the DOJs entry of early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement s Act, the DOJ review of the Merger will be complete.
iHeart Asset Exchange Agreement
On November 1, 2017, Entercom announced that it has entered into an asset exchange agreement with iHeart, pursuant to which iHeart will receive four stations in Boston and three stations in Seattle. In exchange, Entercom will receive six stations in Richmond and four stations in Chattanooga. As a result of this exchange agreement, Entercom will enter two new markets: Richmond and Chattanooga. The asset exchange agreement with iHeart is expected to be consummated in the first quarter of 2018.
Beasley Asset Exchange Agreement
On November 1, 2017, Entercom announced that it has entered into an asset exchange agreement with Beasley, pursuant to which Beasley will receive one station in Boston and Entercom will receive one station in Boston and $12 million in cash consideration. The asset exchange agreement with Beasley is expected to be consummated in the first quarter of 2018.
Bonneville Local Marketing Agreements
On November 1, 2017, Entercom announced that it has entered into local marketing agreements with Bonneville, pursuant to which Bonneville will program four stations in San Francisco and four stations in Sacramento. These local marketing agreements will become effective upon the closing of the Merger.
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit |
Description | |
99.1 | Press Release, dated as of November 1, 2017. | |
99.2 | Email from David Field, dated as of November 1, 2017. |
Important Information for Investors and Securityholders
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements usually relate to future events and anticipated revenues, earnings, cash flows or other aspects of our operations or operating results. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words believe, expect, anticipate, plan, intend, foresee, should, projects, would, could, may, estimate, outlook and similar expressions, including the negative thereof. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs and assumptions concerning future developments and business conditions and their potential effect on us. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, failure to obtain applicable regulatory or stockholder approvals in a timely manner or otherwise; failure to satisfy other closing conditions to the proposed combination with CBS Radio; risks associated with tax liabilities, or changes in U.S. federal tax laws or interpretations to which they are subject; risks that the new businesses will not be integrated successfully or that the combined companies will not realize estimated cost savings, value of certain tax assets, synergies and growth or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected; failure to realize anticipated benefits of the combined operations; risks relating to unanticipated costs of integration; the potential impact of announcement or consummation of the proposed transaction on relationships with third parties, including advertiser clients, employees and competitors; a decline in advertising revenue and the seasonality of advertising revenue; intense competition in the broadcast radio and media distribution industries; impact on advertising rates and revenues due to technological changes and failure to timely or appropriately respond to such changes; ability to attract new and retain existing advertiser clients in the manner anticipated; increases in or new royalties; high fixed costs; ability to hire and retain key personnel; failure to protect our intellectual property; availability of sources of funding on favorable terms or at all; changes in legislation or governmental regulations affecting the companies; economic, social or political conditions that could adversely affect the companies or their advertiser clients; conditions in the credit markets; and risks associated with assumptions the parties make in connection with the parties critical accounting estimates and legal proceedings.
All of our forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties (some of which are significant or beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect the parties businesses, including those described in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) by Entercom and CBS to the extent they relate to CBS Radio). We wish to caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the proposed transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act. Subject to certain exceptions to be approved by the relevant regulators or certain facts to be ascertained, the public offer will not be made directly or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction, or by use of the mails or by any means or instrumentality (including without limitation, facsimile transmission, telephone and the internet) of interstate or foreign commerce, or any facility of a national securities exchange, of any such jurisdiction.
Additional Information
Important Additional Information has been filed with the SEC
Entercom has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, which will constitute a prospectus of Entercom, and a proxy statement relating to the special meeting of Entercom shareholders (together, the proxy statement/prospectus), CBS has filed with the SEC a Schedule TO with respect to the proposed exchange offer and CBS Radio has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 and Form S-4 that will constitute a prospectus of CBS Radio (together with the proxy statement/prospectus and the Schedule TO, the Disclosure Documents). INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC, IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ENTERCOM, CBS, CBS RADIO, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and shareholders can obtain free copies of the Disclosure Documents and
other documents filed with the SEC by the parties through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders can obtain free copies of the Disclosure Documents and other documents filed with the SEC on Entercoms website at www.entercom.com (for documents filed with the SEC by Entercom) or on CBSs website at www.cbs.com (for documents filed with the SEC by CBS or CBS Radio).
Participants in the Solicitation
Entercom, CBS, CBS Radio and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Entercom in respect of the proposed transactions contemplated by the definitive proxy statement/prospectus. Information regarding the persons who are, under the rules of the SEC, participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of Entercom in connection with the proposed transactions, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC. Information regarding Entercoms and CBSs directors and executive officers is contained in Entercoms and CBSs respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and their Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A, filed on March 17, 2017 and April 7, 2017, respectively, which have been filed with the SEC and can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Entercom Communications Corp. | ||||||
Dated: November 1, 2017 | By: | /s/ Andrew P. Sutor, IV | ||||
Name: | Andrew P. Sutor, IV | |||||
Title: | Senior Vice President and Secretary |
Exhibit 99.1
ENTERCOM ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT WITH U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE, CLEARS PATH FOR MERGER WITH CBS RADIO
Enters into Agreements with iHeartMedia, Beasley and Bonneville
Merger with CBS Radio Expected to Close as Early as November 17
BALA CYNWYD, PA November 1, 2017 Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE: ETM) today announced a series of agreements in connection with its pending merger with CBS Radio Inc. (CBS Radio), including:
| A settlement with the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that will allow Entercom and CBS Radio to move forward with the proposed combination; |
| Asset exchange agreements with iHeartMedia, Inc. (PINK: IHRT) and Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBGI) in Boston, Seattle, Richmond and Chattanooga; and |
| Local Marketing Agreements (LMA) with Bonneville International Corporation in San Francisco and Sacramento. |
In connection with these agreements, Entercom now expects its proposed combination with CBS Radio to close as early as November 17, pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Todays announcements mark a significant milestone as we work to complete the transformational combination of Entercom and CBS Radio, said David Field, President and Chief Executive Officer, Entercom. While it is necessary to divest certain stations in order to secure regulatory approval, it is difficult to part ways with so many strong brands and, most importantly, their talented people. However, we are excited by the terrific new additions to our lineup that will bolster our position in Boston and expand our footprint in the Southeast. We look forward to unlocking the potential of the combined company to deliver value for our listeners, customers and shareholders.
Including the previously announced agreement by Entercom to divest three stations to Educational Media Foundation (EMF), Entercom and CBS Radio have agreed to divest a total of 19 radio stations in the markets of Boston, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Wilkes-Barre. Collectively, Entercom will receive 11 stations in the Boston, Chattanooga and Richmond markets.
iHeartMedia Asset Exchange Agreement
Under the terms of the asset exchange agreement, iHeartMedia will receive four stations in Boston and three stations in Seattle. Entercom will receive six stations in Richmond and four stations in Chattanooga. As a result of the agreement, Entercom will enter two new markets in Richmond and Chattanooga. The iHeartMedia transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018. The complete list of stations in the asset exchange agreement include:
Stations to be divested to iHeartMedia | ||||||
Market |
Current Owner |
Station |
Format | |||
Boston |
CBS Radio |
WBZ-AM |
News | |||
Boston |
CBS Radio |
WZLX-FM |
Classic Rock | |||
Boston |
Entercom |
WKAF-FM |
Urban Adult Contemporary | |||
Boston |
Entercom |
WRKO-AM |
News/Talk | |||
Seattle |
CBS Radio |
KFNQ-AM |
Sports | |||
Seattle |
CBS Radio |
KJAQ-FM |
Adult Hits | |||
Seattle |
CBS Radio |
KZOK-FM |
Classic Rock | |||
iHeartMedia stations to be acquired by Entercom | ||||||
Market |
Station |
Format | ||||
Chattanooga |
WLND-FM |
Adult Hits | ||||
Chattanooga |
WKXJ-FM |
Top 40 | ||||
Chattanooga |
WRXR-FM |
Mainstream Rock | ||||
Chattanooga |
WUSY-FM |
Country | ||||
Richmond |
WBTJ-FM |
Hip Hop & R&B | ||||
Richmond |
WRNL-AM |
Sports | ||||
Richmond |
WRVA-AM |
News/Talk | ||||
Richmond |
WRVQ-FM |
Top 40 | ||||
Richmond |
WRXL-FM |
Alternative Rock | ||||
Richmond |
WTVR-FM |
Adult Contemporary |
Beasley Asset Exchange Agreement
Under the terms of the asset exchange agreement, Beasley will receive one station in Boston. Entercom will receive WMJX-FM, one of Bostons leading heritage stations, and $12 million in cash consideration. The Beasley transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018. The complete list of stations in the asset exchange agreement include:
Station to be divested to Beasley | ||||||
Market |
Current Owner |
Station |
Format | |||
Boston |
CBS Radio |
WBZ-FM |
Sports | |||
Beasley station to be acquired by Entercom | ||||||
Market |
Stations |
Format | ||||
Boston |
WMJX-FM |
Adult Contemporary |
Bonneville Local Marketing Agreement
Under the terms of the LMA, Bonneville will program four stations in San Francisco and four stations in Sacramento. The LMA will become effective upon the closing of the Entercom and CBS Radio merger. The complete list of stations in the LMA include:
Stations to be programmed by Bonneville | ||||||
Market |
Current Owner |
Station |
Format | |||
San Francisco |
CBS Radio |
KMVQ-FM |
Top 40 | |||
San Francisco |
Entercom |
KBLX-FM |
Urban Adult Contemporary | |||
San Francisco |
Entercom |
KOIT-FM |
Adult Contemporary | |||
San Francisco |
Entercom |
KUFX-FM |
Classic Rock | |||
Sacramento |
CBS Radio |
KHTK-AM |
Sports | |||
Sacramento |
CBS Radio |
KNCI-FM |
Country | |||
Sacramento |
CBS Radio |
KYMX-FM |
Adult Contemporary | |||
Sacramento |
CBS Radio |
KZZO-FM |
Hot Adult Contemporary |
Regulatory Update
In connection with the settlement with the DOJ, the agreements with iHeartMedia, Beasley and Bonneville announced today will clear the way for the Entercom and CBS Radio merger to move forward, pending FCC approval.
On February 2, 2017, Entercom announced an agreement to combine with CBS Radio in an all-stock transaction which is expected to be tax-free to CBS and its shareholders. The merger will make Entercom a leading local media and entertainment company with a nationwide footprint of 235 stations, with coverage of close to 90% of persons 12+ in the top 50 markets, as well as robust digital capabilities and a growing events platform.
About Entercom Communications Corp.
Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE: ETM) is a leading media and entertainment company in the U.S., reaching and engaging more than 40 million people a week through its portfolio of highly rated stations in top markets across the country. Entercom is a purpose-driven company, deeply committed to entertaining and informing its listeners with the best locally curated music, news, sports, and talk content, driven by compelling local personalities. Entercom delivers superior ROI by connecting its customers and audiences through its leading local brands and unparalleled local marketing solutions and its SmartReach Digital product suite. Learn more about Philadelphia-based Entercom at www.Entercom.com, Facebook and Twitter (@Entercom).
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements usually relate to future events and anticipated revenues, earnings, cash flows or other aspects of our operations or operating results. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words believe, expect, anticipate, plan, intend, foresee, should, projects, would, could, may, estimate, outlook and similar expressions, including the negative thereof. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs and assumptions concerning future developments and business conditions and their potential effect on us. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, failure to obtain applicable regulatory or stockholder approvals in a timely manner or otherwise; failure to satisfy other closing conditions to the proposed combination with CBS Radio; risks associated with tax liabilities, or changes in U.S. federal tax laws or interpretations to which they are subject; risks that the new businesses will not be integrated successfully or that the combined companies will not realize estimated cost savings, value of certain tax assets, synergies and growth or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected; failure to realize anticipated benefits of the combined operations; risks relating to unanticipated costs of integration; the potential impact of announcement or consummation of the proposed transaction on relationships with third parties, including advertiser clients, employees and competitors; a decline in advertising revenue and the seasonality of advertising revenue; intense competition in the broadcast radio and media distribution industries; impact on advertising rates and revenues due to technological changes
and failure to timely or appropriately respond to such changes; ability to attract new and retain existing advertiser clients in the manner anticipated; increases in or new royalties; high fixed costs; ability to hire and retain key personnel; failure to protect our intellectual property; availability of sources of funding on favorable terms or at all; changes in legislation or governmental regulations affecting the companies; economic, social or political conditions that could adversely affect the companies or their advertiser clients; conditions in the credit markets; and risks associated with assumptions the parties make in connection with the parties critical accounting estimates and legal proceedings.
All of our forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties (some of which are significant or beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect the parties businesses, including those described in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) by Entercom and CBS to the extent they relate to CBS Radio). We wish to caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the proposed transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act. Subject to certain exceptions to be approved by the relevant regulators or certain facts to be ascertained, the public offer will not be made directly or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction, or by use of the mails or by any means or instrumentality (including without limitation, facsimile transmission, telephone and the internet) of interstate or foreign commerce, or any facility of a national securities exchange, of any such jurisdiction.
Additional Information
Important Additional Information has been filed with the SEC
Entercom has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, which will constitute a prospectus of Entercom, and a proxy statement relating to the special meeting of Entercom shareholders (together, the proxy statement/prospectus), CBS has filed with the SEC a Schedule TO with respect to the proposed exchange offer and CBS Radio has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 and Form S-4 that will constitute a prospectus of CBS Radio (together with the proxy statement/prospectus and the Schedule TO, the Disclosure Documents). INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC, IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ENTERCOM, CBS, CBS RADIO, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and shareholders can obtain free copies of the Disclosure Documents
and other documents filed with the SEC by the parties through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders can obtain free copies of the Disclosure Documents and other documents filed with the SEC on Entercoms website at www.entercom.com (for documents filed with the SEC by Entercom) or on CBSs website at www.cbs.com (for documents filed with the SEC by CBS or CBS Radio).
Participants in the Solicitation
Entercom, CBS, CBS Radio and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Entercom in respect of the proposed transactions contemplated by the definitive proxy statement/prospectus. Information regarding the persons who are, under the rules of the SEC, participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of Entercom in connection with the proposed transactions, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC. Information regarding Entercoms and CBSs directors and executive officers is contained in Entercoms and CBSs respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and their Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A, filed on March 17, 2017 and April 7, 2017, respectively, which have been filed with the SEC and can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.
# # #
CONTACT:
Esther-Mireya Tejeda
610.822.0861
Esther-Mireya.Tejeda@entercom.com
@EntercomPR
Exhibit 99.2
From: David Field
Sent: Wed 11/01/2017 11:55 AM
To: ENTERCOM TEAM
Subject: Breaking News: DOJ Clears Way for Merger!
I am delighted to report that today we reached agreement with the U.S. Department of Justices Anti-Trust Division for the clearance of our merger with CBS Radio. We have also cleared the SEC regulatory process. Based on the expected timing of CBSs on-going shareholder exchange offer and subject to FCC approval and some other required pre-closing steps that we anticipate completing on a timely basis, we hope to complete our game-changing merger with CBS Radio on November 17th.
Today, we are also announcing transactions with three broadcasters as we work to complete our required divestitures. We have signed exchange agreements with iHeartMedia and Beasley Media Group for stations in Boston and Seattle, and entered into Local Marketing Agreements with Bonneville International Corporation for stations in San Francisco and Sacramento. A total of eight Entercom stations (including three stations that we previously announced will be sold to Educational Media Foundation) and eleven CBS stations will be divested.
In exchange for the divested stations, we expect to receive terrific new stations including Magic 106.7 in Boston, a heritage market leader, and iHearts strong #1 clusters in two new markets, Richmond, Virginia and Chattanooga, Tennessee, plus a substantial amount of cash. I have attached a copy of the press release that we just issued, which provides further information on the transactions.
We spent many months successfully engaging with the DOJ and addressing their issues. In order to satisfy the DOJs remaining concerns and the FCCs market caps, we had to let go of stations that we would have loved to keep in the Company. We negotiated with more than a dozen parties before landing on the transactions we are announcing today.
Its important to remember that until the merger closes, all of our stations will continue to operate as they do today. You have all done a tremendous job of staying focused and following through on commitments to clients, to listeners and to each other, and I ask that you continue to do so as we move ever closer to the completion of the merger.
As a matter of course, please forward any media inquiries to Esther-Mireya Tejeda in Entercoms corporate communications office.
This is an exciting moment for all of us at Entercom and our future colleagues at CBS Radio. We have cleared important hurdles that will allow us to move forward with this transformational merger, which will make Entercom a leading American media and entertainment company and the #1 creator of live, original, local audio content and the nations unrivaled leader in radio news and sports.
Over the next few weeks, we will continue to provide you with additional information so you are fully informed on our plans as we approach this historic event.
Best,
David
# # #
Important Information for Investors and Securityholders
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements usually relate to future events and anticipated revenues, earnings, cash flows or other aspects of our operations or operating results. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words believe, expect, anticipate, plan, intend, foresee, should, projects, would, could, may, estimate, outlook and similar expressions, including the negative thereof. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs and assumptions concerning future developments and business conditions and their potential effect on us. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, failure to obtain applicable regulatory or stockholder approvals in a timely manner or otherwise; failure to satisfy other closing conditions to the proposed combination with CBS Radio (as defined below); risks associated with tax liabilities, or changes in U.S. federal tax laws or interpretations to which they are subject; risks that the new businesses will not be integrated successfully or that the combined companies will not realize estimated cost savings, value of certain tax assets, synergies and growth or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected; failure to realize anticipated benefits of the combined operations; risks relating to unanticipated costs of integration; the potential impact of announcement or consummation of the proposed transaction on relationships with third parties, including advertiser clients, employees and competitors; a decline in advertising revenue and the seasonality of advertising revenue; intense competition in the broadcast radio and media distribution industries; impact on advertising rates and revenues due to technological changes and failure to timely or appropriately respond to such changes; ability to attract new and retain existing advertiser clients in the manner anticipated; increases in or new royalties; high fixed costs; ability to hire and retain key personnel; failure to protect our intellectual property; availability of sources of funding on favorable terms or at all; changes in legislation or governmental regulations affecting the companies; economic, social or political conditions that could adversely affect the companies or their advertiser clients; conditions in the credit markets; and risks associated with assumptions the parties make in connection with the parties critical accounting estimates and legal proceedings.
All of our forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties (some of which are significant or beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect the parties businesses, including those described in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) by Entercom Communications Corp. (Entercom) and CBS Corporation (CBS) (to the extent they relate to CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries (CBS Radio)). We wish to caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the proposed transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act. Subject to certain exceptions to be approved by the relevant regulators or certain facts to be ascertained, the public offer will not be made directly or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction, or by use of the mails or by any means or instrumentality (including without limitation, facsimile transmission, telephone and the internet) of interstate or foreign commerce, or any facility of a national securities exchange, of any such jurisdiction.
Additional Information
Important Additional Information has been filed with the SEC
Entercom has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, which will constitute a prospectus of Entercom, and a proxy statement relating to the special meeting of Entercom shareholders (together, the proxy statement/prospectus), CBS has filed with the SEC a Schedule TO with respect to the proposed exchange offer and CBS Radio has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 and Form S-4 that will constitute a prospectus of CBS Radio (together with the proxy statement/prospectus and the Schedule TO, the Disclosure Documents). INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC, IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ENTERCOM, CBS, CBS RADIO, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and shareholders can obtain free copies of the Disclosure Documents and other documents filed with the SEC by the parties through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders can obtain free copies of the Disclosure Documents and other documents filed with the SEC on Entercoms website at www.entercom.com (for documents filed with the SEC by Entercom) or on CBSs website at www.cbs.com (for documents filed with the SEC by CBS or CBS Radio).
Participants in the Solicitation
Entercom, CBS, CBS Radio and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Entercom in respect of the proposed transactions contemplated by the definitive proxy statement/prospectus. Information regarding the persons who are, under the rules of the SEC, participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of Entercom in connection with the proposed transactions, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC. Information regarding Entercoms and CBSs directors and executive officers is contained in Entercoms and CBSs respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and their Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A, filed on March 17, 2017 and April 7, 2017, respectively, which have been filed with the SEC and can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.