10-K 1 mission201310k.htm MISSION BROADCASTING 2013 10K mission201310k.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

 
 
FORM 10-K
 
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 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: 333-62916-02
 
 
MISSION BROADCASTING, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
51-0388022
(State of Organization or Incorporation)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
   
30400 Detroit Road, Suite 304
Westlake, Ohio
44145
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(440) 526-2227
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 
 
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x
 
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x
 
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 checkmark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x
 
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  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  x
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 March 18, 2014, the Registrant had 1,000 shares of common stock outstanding.


 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
     
Page
 
 
PART I
     
         
        ITEM 1.
Business
    2  
           
        ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
    10  
           
        ITEM 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
    17  
           
        ITEM 2.
Properties
    17  
           
        ITEM 3.
Legal Proceedings
    18  
           
        ITEM 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
    18  
         
PART II
       
           
        ITEM 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
    18  
           
        ITEM 6.
Selected Financial Data
    19  
           
        ITEM 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    21  
           
        ITEM 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
    32  
           
        ITEM 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
    32  
           
        ITEM 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
    32  
           
        ITEM 9A.
Controls and Procedures
    32  
           
        ITEM 9B.
Other Information
    33  
         
PART III
       
           
        ITEM 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
    34  
           
        ITEM 11.
Executive Compensation
    34  
           
        ITEM 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
    35  
           
        ITEM 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
    36  
           
        ITEM 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
    37  
         
PART IV
       
           
        ITEM 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
    38  
         
Index to Financial Statements
    F-1  
         
Index to Exhibits
    E-1  

 
 

 

General

As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and unless the context indicates otherwise, “Mission,” “we,” “our,” “ours”, “us” and the “Company” refer to Mission Broadcasting, Inc., “Nexstar” refers to Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Mission has entered into time brokerage, shared services and joint sales agreements (which we generally refer to as local service agreements) with certain television stations owned by Nexstar, but Mission does not own any equity interests in Nexstar and Nexstar does not own any equity interests in Mission. For a description of the relationship between Mission and Nexstar, see Item 13. “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.”

There are 210 generally recognized television markets, known as Designated Market Areas, or DMAs, in the United States. DMAs are ranked in size according to various factors based upon actual or potential audience. DMA rankings contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are from Investing in Television Market Report 2013 4th Edition, as published by BIA Financial Network, Inc.

Reference is made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the following trademarks/tradenames which are owned by the third parties referenced in parentheses: Two and a Half Men (Warner Bros. Domestic Television) and Entertainment Tonight (CBS Television Distribution).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K 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 (“Exchange Act”). 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 a 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 discussed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K 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.

 

 
1

 

 
PART I

Item 1.                      Business

Overview

We are a television broadcasting company focused exclusively on the acquisition, development and operation of television stations in medium-sized markets in the United States, primarily markets that rank from 50 to 175 out of the 210 DMAs.

As of December 31, 2013, we owned and operated 20 stations and 4 digital multicast (“DM”) channels. The stations are in markets located in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Vermont, Arkansas and Montana. Our stations are affiliated with ABC (6 stations), FOX (5 stations), NBC (3 stations), CBS (2 stations), the CW (2 stations), MyNetworkTV (2 stations and one DM) and Bounce TV (3 DMs).

We believe that medium-sized markets offer significant advantages over large-sized markets, most of which result from a lower level of competition. First, because there are fewer well-capitalized acquirers with a medium-market focus, we have been successful in purchasing stations on more favorable terms than acquirers of large market stations. Second, in many of our markets only four or five local commercial television stations exist. As a result, we achieve lower programming costs than stations in larger markets because the supply of quality programming exceeds the demand.

Our stations provide free over-the-air programming to our markets’ television viewing audiences. This programming includes (a) programs produced by networks with which the stations are affiliated; (b) programs that the stations produce; and (c) first-run and rerun syndicated programs that the stations acquire. Our primary source of revenue is indirectly derived from the sale of commercial air time on our stations to local and national advertisers by Nexstar under local service agreements.

Our principal offices are located at 30400 Detroit Road, Suite 304, Westlake, Ohio 44145. Our telephone number is (440) 526-2227.

Recent Acquisitions

On December 18, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the outstanding equity of KFQX, the FOX affiliate, in the Grand Junction, Colorado market, for $4.0 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital, from Excalibur Broadcasting, LLC (“Excalibur”). The purchase price is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to closing and borrowings under our existing credit facility. The acquisition is subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and we project it to close in the second quarter of 2014.

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. Simultaneous with this agreement, we entered into a purchase agreement with Nexstar pursuant to which we will acquire one of Grant’s stations, KLJB, the FOX affiliate, in the Quad Cities, Iowa market, from Nexstar for $15.3 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital. Upon consummation of the acquisition, we will also enter into local service agreements with Nexstar. The purchase price is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to closing and borrowings under our existing credit facility. The acquisition is subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and we project it to close in the second quarter of 2014.

On September 13, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WICZ, the FOX affiliate, and WBPN-LP, the MyNetworkTV affiliate, both in the Binghamton, New York market, from Stainless Broadcasting, L.P. (“Stainless”), for $15.3 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital. A deposit of $0.2 million was paid upon signing the agreement. We expect the remaining purchase price to be funded through borrowings under our existing credit facility and cash on hand. The acquisition is subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and we project it to close in the second quarter of 2014.

On April 24, 2013, we and Nexstar 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. Pursuant to the stock purchase agreement, we agreed to purchase all the outstanding equity of White Knight and Nexstar has agreed to purchase all the outstanding equity of CCA. We will acquire 7 television stations and upon consummation of the acquisition, will enter into local service agreements with Nexstar. Nexstar will acquire 10 television stations and Rocky Creek Communications, Inc. (“Rocky Creek”), an independent third party, will acquire 2 television stations. We and Nexstar expect to finance the purchase price through cash on hand, cash generated from operations prior to closing, borrowings under th existing credit facilities and future credit market transactions. The acquisitions are subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and we, Nexstar and Rocky Creek are projecting them to close in the second quarter of 2014.
 
 

 
2

 
 
Local Service Agreements and Purchase Options

The following table summarizes the various local service agreements our stations had in effect as of December 31, 2013 with Nexstar-owned stations:
 
Service Agreements
Stations
TBA Only(1)
WFXP and KHMT
SSA & JSA(2)
KJTL, KJBO-LP, KLRT, KASN, KOLR, KCIT, KCPN-LP, KAMC, KRBC, KSAN, WUTR, WAWV, WYOU, KODE, KTVE, WTVO, WTVW and WVNY
_________________________________
(1)
We have a time brokerage agreement (“TBA”) for 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, based on the station’s monthly operating expenses.
(2)
We have both a shared services agreement (“SSA”) and a joint sales agreement (“JSA”) for each of these stations. The SSA allows the sharing of 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. The JSAs permit Nexstar to sell 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.

Under these agreements, we are responsible for certain operating expenses of our stations and therefore may have unlimited exposure to any potential operating losses. We expect to continue to operate our stations under the SSAs and JSAs or TBAs until the termination of such agreements. The SSAs and JSAs generally have terms of eight to ten years. Nexstar indemnifies Mission for Nexstar’s activities pursuant to the local service agreements.

Under these local service agreements, Nexstar has received substantially all of our available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations. We anticipate that Nexstar will continue to receive substantially all of our available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations. In compliance with Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) regulations for Mission and Nexstar, Mission maintains complete responsibility for and control over programming, finances, personnel and operations of its stations.

Nexstar guarantees all obligations incurred under our senior secured credit facility. We are a guarantor of the senior secured credit facility entered into by Nexstar and the senior unsecured notes issued by Nexstar. In consideration of Nexstar’s guarantee of our senior secured credit facility, we have granted Nexstar purchase options to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission television station 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, on November 29, 2011, Mission’s shareholders granted Nexstar an option to purchase any or all of our stock 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 2014 and 2024) are freely exercisable or assignable by Nexstar without our consent or approval. We expect these option agreements to be renewed upon expiration. Nexstar’s acquisition of any station or our stock pursuant to an exercise of the applicable option is subject to prior FCC approval.

Refer to Part III, Item 13. “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” for a more complete disclosure of the local service and option agreements our stations had in effect as of December 31, 2013.

Business Strategy

The operating revenue of our stations is derived primarily from broadcast advertising revenue sold and collected by Nexstar and paid to us under the JSAs. Broadcast advertising revenue is affected by a number of factors, including the economic conditions of the markets in which we operate, the demographic makeup of those markets and the marketing strategy employed in each market. Our primary operating expense consists of fixed monthly SSA fees paid to Nexstar for news production and technical and other services. To a lesser extent, our operating expenses include employee compensation and related benefits. A large percentage of the costs involved in the operation of our stations remains fixed.


 
3

 


The Stations

The following chart sets forth general information about the stations that we owned and operated as of December 31, 2013:
 
Market
Rank (1)
Market
Station
Affiliation
Commercial Stations
in Market (2)
FCC License
Expiration Date
54
Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA
WYOU
CBS
7
(3)
56
Little Rock-Pine Bluff, AR
KLRT
KASN
FOX
The CW
7
(3)
 
75
Springfield, MO
KOLR
CBS
5
(3)
98
Burlington-Plattsburgh, VT
WVNY
ABC
6
4/1/2015
104
Evansville, IN
WTVW (5)
The CW (4)
4
(3)
130
Amarillo, TX
KCIT
KCPN-LP
FOX
MyNetworkTV
6
(3)
 
136
Rockford, IL
WTVO/WTVO-D-2
ABC/MyNetworkTV
4
(3)
137
Monroe, LA-El Dorado, AR
KTVE
NBC
4
(3)
143
Lubbock, TX
KAMC/KAMC-D-2 (6)
ABC/Bounce TV
5
(3)
144
Wichita Falls, TX- Lawton, OK
KJTL/KJTL-D-2 (6)
KJBO-LP
FOX/Bounce TV
MyNetworkTV
4
(3)
149
Erie, PA
WFXP
FOX
4
(3)
152
Joplin, MO-Pittsburg, KS
KODE
ABC
4
(3)
155
Terre Haute, IN
WAWV
ABC
3
(3)
165
Abilene-Sweetwater, TX
KRBC/KRBC-D-2 (6)
NBC/Bounce TV
4
(3)
168
Billings, MT
KHMT
FOX
5
(3)
171
Utica, NY
WUTR
ABC
3
(3)
198
San Angelo, TX
KSAN
NBC
3
(3)
________________________
(1)
Market rank refers to ranking the size of the Designated Market Area (“DMA”) in which the station is located in relation to other DMAs. Source: Investing in Television Market Report 2012 4th Edition, as published by BIA Financial Network, Inc.
(2)
The term “commercial station” means a television broadcast station and excludes non-commercial stations and religious stations, cable program services or networks. Source: Investing in Television Market Report 2012 4th Edition, as published by BIA Financial Network, Inc.
(3)
Application for renewal of license was submitted timely to the FCC. Under the FCC’s rules, a license expiration date automatically is extended pending review of and action on the renewal application by the FCC.
(4)
On January 31, 2013, WTVW became an affiliate of The CW.
(5)
On January 1, 2014, Mission’s new digital multicast channel, WTVW-D-2, became an affiliate of Bounce TV.
(6)
The affiliations with Bounce TV ended on November 1, 2013 and the digital multicast channels are no longer utilized.

The Company has also signed agreements to acquire 7 stations in 4 markets from CCA and White Knight, 1 station from Grant, 1 station from Excalibur and 2 stations from Stainless. Of these acquisitions, 7 stations are affiliated with FOX, 2 stations with MyNetworkTV, 1 station with NBC and 1 station with RTV. The Company is projecting the acquisitions to close in the second quarter of 2014. Refer to Recent Acquisitions for additional information.

 
Industry Background

Commercial television broadcasting began in the United States on a regular basis in the 1940s. Currently a limited number of channels are available for over-the-air broadcasting in any one geographic area and a license to operate a television station must be granted by the FCC. All television stations in the country are grouped by A.C. Nielsen Company, a national audience measuring service, into 210 generally recognized television markets, known as DMAs, that are ranked in size according to various metrics based upon actual or potential audience. Each DMA is an exclusive geographic area consisting of all counties in which the home-market commercial stations receive the greatest percentage of total viewing hours. A.C. Nielsen periodically publishes data on estimated audiences for the television stations in the DMA. The estimates are expressed in terms of a “rating,” which is a station’s percentage of the total potential audience in the market, or a “share,” which is the station’s percentage of the audience actually watching television. A station’s rating and share in a market can be a factor in determining advertising rates.

Most television stations are affiliated with networks and receive a significant part of their programming, including prime-time hours, from networks. Whether or not a station is affiliated with one of the four major networks (NBC, ABC, CBS or FOX) has a significant impact on the composition of the station’s revenue, expenses and operations. Network programming is provided to the affiliate by the network in exchange for the network’s retention of a substantial majority of the advertising time during network programs. The network then sells this advertising time and retains the revenue. The affiliate retains the revenue from the remaining advertising time it sells during network programs and from advertising time it sells during non-network programs.


 
4

 


Broadcast television stations compete for advertising revenue primarily with other commercial broadcast television stations, cable and satellite television systems and the Internet and, to a lesser extent, with newspapers and radio stations serving the same market. Non-commercial, religious and Spanish-language broadcasting stations in many markets also compete with commercial stations for viewers. In addition, the Internet and other leisure activities may draw viewers away from commercial television stations.

Network Affiliations

Most of our stations are affiliated with a network pursuant to an affiliation agreement, as described below:
 
Station
Market
Affiliation
Expiration
KTVE
Monroe, LA-El Dorado, AR
NBC
December 2014
KSAN
San Angelo, TX
NBC
December 2014
KRBC
Abilene-Sweetwater, TX
NBC
December 2014
WYOU
Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA
CBS
June 2015
WTVW (2)
Evansville, IN
The CW (1)
December 2015
KCPN-LP
Amarillo, TX
MyNetworkTV
August 2016
KJBO-LP
Wichita Falls, TX-Lawton, OK
MyNetworkTV
August 2016
WTVO-D-2
Rockford, IL
MyNetworkTV
August 2016
KASN
Little Rock-Pine Bluff, AR
The CW
September 2016
KCIT
Amarillo, TX
FOX
December 2016
WFXP
Erie, PA
FOX
December 2016
KJTL
Wichita Falls, TX-Lawton, OK
FOX
December 2016
KHMT
Billings, MT
FOX
December 2016
KLRT
Little Rock-Pine Bluff, AR
FOX
December 2016
WAWV
Terre Haute, IN
ABC
December 2017
WUTR
Utica, NY
ABC
December 2017
WTVO
Rockford, IL
ABC
December 2017
KAMC
Lubbock, TX
ABC
December 2017
KODE
Joplin, MO-Pittsburg, KS
ABC
December 2017
WVNY
Burlington-Plattsburgh, VT
ABC
December 2017
KOLR
Springfield, MO
CBS
December 2018
________________________
(1)
On January 31, 2013, WTVW became an affiliate of The CW.
(2)
On January 1, 2014, Mission’s new digital multicast channel, WTVW-D-2, became an affiliate of Bounce TV.

We expect all of the network affiliation agreements listed above to be renewed upon expiration.

The Company has also signed agreements to acquire 7 stations in 4 markets from CCA and White Knight, 1 station from Grant, 1 station from Excalibur and 2 stations from Stainless. Of these acquisitions, 7 stations are affiliated with FOX, 2 stations with MyNetworkTV, 1 station with NBC and 1 station with RTV. The Company is projecting the acquisitions to close in the second quarter of 2014. Refer to Recent Acquisitions for additional information.

Competition

Competition in the television industry takes place on several levels: competition for audience, competition for programming and competition for advertising.

Audience. Our stations compete for audience share specifically on the basis of program popularity. The popularity of a station’s programming has a direct effect on the advertising rates it can charge its advertisers. A portion of the daily programming on our stations is supplied by the network with which each station is affiliated. In those periods, the stations are dependent upon the performance of the network programs in attracting viewers. Stations program non-network time periods with a combination of self-produced news, public affairs and other entertainment programming, including movies and syndicated programs. The major television networks have also begun to sell their programming directly to the consumer via portable digital devices such as tablets and cell phones, which presents an additional source of competition for television broadcaster audience share. Other sources of competition for audiences include home entertainment systems (such as VCRs, DVDs, and DVRs), video-on-demand and pay-per-view, the Internet (including network distribution of programming through websites) and gaming devices.

Although the commercial television broadcast industry historically has been dominated by the ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX television networks, other newer television networks and the growth in popularity of subscription systems, such as local cable and direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) systems which air exclusive programming not otherwise available in a market, have become significant competitors for the over-the-air television audience.
 
 
5

 
 
Programming. Competition for programming involves negotiating with national program distributors or syndicators that sell first-run and rerun packages of programming. Stations compete against in-market broadcast station operators for exclusive access to off-network reruns (such as Two and a Half Men) and first-run product (such as Entertainment Tonight) in their respective markets. Cable systems generally do not compete with local stations for programming, although various national cable networks from time to time have acquired programs that would have otherwise been offered to local television stations. Time Warner Inc., Comcast Corporation, Viacom Inc., News Corporation and the Walt Disney Company each owns a television network and also owns or controls major production studios, which are the primary source of programming for the networks. It is uncertain whether in the future such programming, which is generally subject to short-term agreements between the studios and the networks, will be moved to the networks. Television broadcasters also compete for non-network programming unique to the markets they serve. As such, stations strive to provide exclusive news stories and unique features such as investigative reporting and coverage of community events and to secure broadcast rights for regional and local sporting events.

Advertising. Stations compete for advertising revenue with other television stations in their respective markets and with other advertising media such as newspapers, radio stations, magazines, outdoor advertising, transit advertising, yellow page directories, direct mail, local cable systems, DBS systems and the Internet. Competition for advertising dollars in the broadcasting industry occurs primarily within individual markets. Generally, a television broadcast station in a particular market does not compete with stations in other market areas.

Additional Competitive Factors. The broadcasting industry is continually faced with technological change and innovation which increase the popularity of competing entertainment and communications media. Further advances in technology may increase competition for household audiences and advertisers. The increased use of digital technology by cable and DBS systems, along with video compression techniques, will reduce the bandwidth required for television signal transmission. These technological developments are applicable to all video delivery systems, including over-the-air broadcasting, and have the potential to provide vastly expanded programming to highly targeted audiences. Reductions in the cost of creating additional channel capacity could lower entry barriers for new channels and encourage the development of increasingly specialized “niche” programming. This ability to reach very narrowly defined audiences is expected to alter the competitive dynamics for advertising expenditures. We are unable to predict the effect that these or other technological changes will have on the broadcast television industry or on the future results of our operations.

Federal Regulation

Television broadcasting is subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”). The following is a brief discussion of certain (but not all) provisions of the Communications Act and the FCC’s regulations and policies that affect the business operations of television broadcast stations. Over the years, Congress and the FCC have added, amended and deleted statutory and regulatory requirements to which station owners are subject. Some of these changes have a minimal business impact whereas others may significantly affect the business or operation of individual stations or the broadcast industry as a whole. For more information about the nature and extent of FCC regulation of television broadcast stations, you should refer to the Communications Act and the FCC’s rules, case precedent, public notices and policies.

License Grant and Renewal. The Communications Act prohibits the operation of broadcast stations except under licenses issued by the FCC. Television broadcast licenses are granted for a maximum term of eight years and are subject to renewal upon application to the FCC. The FCC is required to grant an application for license renewal if during the preceding term the station served the public interest, the licensee did not commit any serious violations of the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules, and the licensee committed no other violations of the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules which, taken together, would constitute a pattern of abuse. A majority of renewal applications are routinely granted under this standard. If a licensee fails to meet this standard the FCC may still grant renewal on terms and conditions that it deems appropriate, including a monetary forfeiture or renewal for a term less than the normal eight-year period.
 
After a renewal application is filed, interested parties, including members of the public, may file petitions to deny the application, to which the licensee/renewal applicant is entitled to respond. After reviewing the pleadings, if the FCC determines that there is a substantial and material question of fact whether grant of the renewal application would serve the public interest, the FCC is required to hold a trial-type hearing on the issues presented. If, after the hearing, the FCC determines that the renewal applicant has met the renewal standard, the FCC will grant the renewal application. If the licensee/renewal applicant fails to meet the renewal standard or show that there are mitigating factors entitling it to renewal subject to appropriate sanctions, the FCC can deny the renewal application. In the vast majority of cases where a petition to deny is filed against a renewal application, the FCC ultimately grants the renewal without a hearing. No competing application for authority to operate a station and replace the incumbent licensee may be filed against a renewal application.
 
In addition to considering rule violations in connection with a license renewal application, the FCC may sanction a station licensee for failing to observe FCC rules and policies during the license term, including the imposition of a monetary forfeiture.

Under the Communications Act, the term of a broadcast license is automatically extended during the pendency of the FCC’s processing of a timely renewal application.
 
 
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Station Transfer. The Communications Act prohibits the assignment or the transfer of control of a broadcast license without prior FCC approval.
 
Ownership Restrictions. The Communications Act limits the extent of non-U.S. ownership of companies that own U.S. broadcast stations. Under this restriction, the holder of a U.S. broadcast license may have no more than 20% non-U.S. ownership (by vote and by equity). The Communications Act prohibits more than 25% indirect foreign ownership or control of a licensee through a parent company if the FCC determines the public interest will be served by such restriction.  The FCC has interpreted this provision of the Communications Act to require an affirmative public interest finding before indirect foreign ownership of a broadcast licensee may exceed 25%, and historically the FCC has made such an affirmative finding only in limited circumstances.  In November 2013, the FCC clarified that it would entertain and authorize, on a case-by-case basis and upon a sufficient public interest showing, proposals to exceed the 25% indirect foreign ownership limit in broadcast licensees.
 
The FCC also has rules which establish limits on the ownership of broadcast stations. These ownership limits apply to attributable interests in a station licensee held by an individual, corporation, partnership or other entity. In the case of corporations, officers, directors and voting stock interests of 5% or more (20% or more in the case of qualified investment companies, such as insurance companies and bank trust departments) are considered attributable interests. For partnerships, all general partners and non-insulated limited partners are attributable. Limited liability companies are treated the same as partnerships. The FCC also considers attributable the holder of more than 33% of a licensee’s total assets (defined as total debt plus total equity), if that person or entity also provides over 15% of the station’s total weekly broadcast programming or has an attributable interest in another media entity in the same market which is subject to the FCC’s ownership rules, such as a radio or television station or daily newspaper. If a shareholder of Mission holds a voting stock interest of 5% or more (20% or more in the case of qualified investment companies, such as insurance companies and bank trust departments), we must report that shareholder, its parent entities, and attributable individuals and entities of both, as attributable interest holders in Mission.

Local Television Ownership (Duopoly Rule). Under the current local television ownership, or “duopoly,” rule, a single entity is allowed to own or have attributable interests in two television stations in a market if (1) the two stations do not have overlapping service areas, or (2) after the combination there are at least eight independently owned and operating full-power television stations in the DMA with overlapping service contours and one of the combining stations is not ranked among the top four stations in the DMA. The duopoly rule allows the FCC to consider waivers to permit the ownership of a second station only in cases where the second station has failed or is failing or unbuilt. We currently own and operate two television stations in the Little Rock, Arkansas market.

Under the duopoly rule, the FCC attributes toward the local television ownership limits another in-market station when one station owner programs a second in-market station pursuant to a time brokerage or local marketing agreement, if the programmer provides more than 15% of the second station’s weekly broadcast programming. However, local marketing agreements entered into prior to November 5, 1996 are exempt attributable interests until the FCC determines otherwise. This “grandfathering,” when reviewed by the FCC, is subject to possible extension or termination.

In certain of our markets, we own and operate both full-power and low-power television broadcast stations (in Wichita Falls, we own and operate KJTL and KJBO-LP; and in Amarillo, we own and operate KCIT and KCPN-LP). The FCC’s duopoly rules and policies regarding ownership of television stations in the same market apply only to full-power television stations and not low-power television stations such as KJBO-LP and KCPN-LP.

National Television Ownership. There is no nationwide limit on the number of television stations which a party may own. However, the FCC’s rules limit the percentage of U.S. television households which a party may reach through its attributable interests in television stations. This rule provides that when calculating a party’s nationwide aggregate audience coverage, the ownership of a UHF station is counted as 50% of a market’s percentage of total national audience. In 2004, Congress determined that one party may have an attributable interest in television stations which reach, in the aggregate, 39% of all U.S. television households; and the FCC thereafter modified its corresponding rule. The FCC currently is considering whether this act has any impact on the FCC’s authority to examine and modify the UHF discount.  In September 2013, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to consider whether the UHF discount should be eliminated and/or whether a VHF discount should be implemented. Our stations have a combined national audience reach of 2.2% of television households with the UHF discount.

Radio/Television Cross-Ownership Rule (One-to-a-Market Rule). In markets with at least 20 independently owned media “voices”, ownership of one television station and up to seven radio stations, or two television stations (if allowed under the television duopoly rule) and six radio stations is permitted. If the number of independently owned media “voices” is fewer than 20 but greater than or equal to 10, ownership of one television station (or two if allowed) and four radio stations is permitted. In markets with fewer than 10 independent media “voices”, ownership of one television station (or two if allowed) and one radio station is permitted. In calculating the number of independent media “voices” in a market, the FCC includes all radio and television stations, independently owned cable systems (counted as one voice), and independently owned daily newspapers which have circulation that exceeds 5% of the households in the market. In all cases, the television and radio components of the combination must also comply, respectively, with the local television ownership rule and the local radio ownership rule.
 
 
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Local Television/Newspaper Cross-Ownership Rule. Under this rule, a party is prohibited from having an attributable interest in a television station and a daily newspaper in the same market.

The FCC is required to review its media ownership rules every four years 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. 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 seeks comment on shared services agreements (SSAs) and other joint operating arrangements between television stations, and whether such agreements should be considered attributable. Initial comments on the NPRM were filed on March 5, 2012, and reply comments were filed in April 2012.

The FCC has indicated that on March 31, 2014, it will take various actions related to its pending 2010 media ownership review and the commencement of its 2014 review.  These actions are expected to include the adoption of a rule which will make television JSAs attributable to the selling party when that party sells more than 15% of a second in-market station’s advertising time. The FCC may require the termination of existing JSAs within a specified period of time if the newly attributable JSAs do not comply with the local television ownership limits. The FCC is also expected to consider further action with respect to SSAs, and to solicit public comment on other of its media ownership rules.

Local Television/Cable Cross-Ownership. There is no FCC rule prohibiting common ownership of a cable television system and a television broadcast station in the same area.

Cable and Satellite Carriage of Local Television Signals.  Broadcasters may obtain carriage of their stations’ signals on cable, satellite and other multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”) through either mandatory carriage or through “retransmission consent.” Every three years all stations must formally elect either mandatory carriage (“must-carry” for cable distributors and “carry one-carry all” for satellite television providers) or retransmission consent. The next election must be made by October 1, 2014, and will be effective January 1, 2015. Must-carry elections require that the MVPD carry one station programming stream and related data in the station’s local market. However, MVPDs may decline a must-carry election in certain circumstances. MVPDs do not pay a fee to stations that elect mandatory carriage.

A broadcaster that elects retransmission consent waives its mandatory carriage rights, and the broadcaster and the MVPD must negotiate in good faith for carriage of the station’s signal. Negotiated terms may include channel position, service tier carriage, carriage of multiple program streams, compensation and other consideration. If a broadcaster elects to negotiate retransmission terms, it is possible that the broadcaster and the MVPD will not reach agreement and that the MVPD will not carry the station’s signal.

MVPD operators are actively seeking to change the regulations under which retransmission consent is negotiated before both the U.S. Congress and the FCC in order to increase their bargaining leverage with television stations. 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 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 indicated that on March 31, 2014, it will adopt a rule that generally prohibits joint retransmission consent negotiation by non-commonly owned television stations. 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. Congress is also considering legislation which could impact the regulations governing retransmission consent.

The FCC’s rules also govern which local television signals a satellite subscriber may receive. Congress and the FCC have also imposed certain requirements relating to satellite distribution of local television signals to “unserved” households that do not receive a useable signal from a local network-affiliated station and to cable and satellite carriage of out-of-market signals.


 
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In addition, certain online video distributors and other over-the-top video distributors (“OTTDs”) have begun streaming broadcast programming over the Internet without the consent of the broadcast station.  In two cases, a federal district court issued a preliminary injunction enjoining an OTTD from streaming broadcast programming because the court concluded that the OTTD was unlikely to demonstrate that it was eligible for the statutory copyright license that provides MVPDs with the copyrights to retransmit broadcast programming.  In another case, a preliminary injunction against another entity providing access to broadcast programming over the Internet was denied. There, the federal district court concluded that the OTTD was likely to prevail in demonstrating that its operations are not a copyright violation.  The U.S. Supreme Court has granted certiorari and will hear oral arguments with respect to the differing lower court interpretations in April 2014. In 2010, the FCC’s Media Bureau, in a program access proceeding, tentatively concluded that one OTTD had not shown that it was an MVPD for purposes of demonstrating eligibility for the program access rules, and in March 2012, the FCC, recognizing that the classification could also have implications under the retransmission consent requirements, issued a public notice seeking comment on, among other things, the proper interpretation of the term “MVPD” under FCC rules.  We cannot predict the outcome of the pending litigation or of the FCC’s interpretive proceedings.  However, if the courts determine that consent of the broadcast station or copyright owners is not required and/or if the FCC determines that an OTTD is not an MVPD, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. 

We elected to exercise retransmission consent rights for all of our stations where we have a legal right to do so. We have negotiated retransmission consent agreements with the majority of the MVPDs which carry the stations’ signals.

Programming and Operation. The Communications Act requires broadcasters to serve “the public interest.” Television station licensees are required to present programming that is responsive to community problems, needs and interests and to maintain certain records demonstrating such responsiveness. The FCC may consider complaints from viewers concerning programming when it evaluates a station’s license renewal application, although viewer complaints also may be filed and considered by the FCC at any time. Stations also must follow various rules promulgated under the Communications Act that regulate, among other things:

 
 
political advertising (its price and availability);
 
 
sponsorship identification;
 
 
contest and lottery advertising;
 
 
obscene and indecent broadcasts;
 
 
technical operations, including limits on radio frequency radiation;
 
 
discrimination and equal employment opportunities;
 
 
closed captioning and video description;
 
 
children’s programming;
 
 
program ratings guidelines; and
 
 
network affiliation agreements.

Technical Regulation. FCC rules govern the technical operating parameters of television stations, including permissible operating channel, power and antenna height and interference protections between stations. Under various FCC rules and procedures, all full power television stations completed the transition from analog to digital television (DTV) broadcasting in June 2009. The FCC has adopted rules with respect to the conversion of existing low power and television translator stations to digital operation, establishing a September 1, 2015 deadline by which low power and television translator stations must cease analog operation.

Employees

As of December 31, 2013, we had a total of 41 employees, comprised of 39 full-time and 2 part-time employees. As of December 31, 2013, none of our employees were covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that our employee relations are satisfactory, and we have not experienced any work stoppages at any of our facilities.

Available Information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by us at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. Please call (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address for the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov.


 
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Item 1A.                      Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the following risk factors, which we believe are the most significant risks related to our business, as well as the other information contained in this document.

Risks Related to Our Operations

General trends in the television industry could adversely affect demand for television advertising as consumers flock to alternative media, including the Internet, for entertainment.  

Television viewing among consumers has been negatively impacted by the increasing availability of alternative media, including the Internet. As a result, in recent years demand for television advertising has been declining and demand for advertising in alternative media has been increasing, and we expect this trend to continue.

The networks may stream their programming on the Internet and other distribution platforms simultaneously with, or in close proximity to, network programming broadcast on local television stations, including those we own. These and other practices by the networks dilute the exclusivity and value of network programming originally broadcast by the local stations and may adversely affect the business, financial condition and results of operations of our stations.

We had a history of net losses in prior years.

We had a net loss of $3.7 million in 2013 and $1.7 million in 2011. We may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability in future years. 

Our substantial debt could limit our ability to grow and compete.

As of December 31, 2013, we had $232.5 million of debt which represented 147.6% of our total capitalization. Our high level of debt could have important consequences to our business. For example, it could:

 
 
limit our ability to borrow additional funds or obtain additional financing in the future;
 
 
limit our ability to pursue acquisition opportunities;
 
 
expose us to greater interest rate risk since the interest rate on borrowings under our senior secured credit facility is variable;
 
 
limit our flexibility to plan for and react to changes in our business and our industry; and
 
 
impair our ability to withstand a general downturn in our business and place us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that are less leveraged.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations––Contractual Obligations” for disclosure of the approximate aggregate amount of principal indebtedness scheduled to mature.

We could also incur additional debt in the future. The terms of our senior secured credit facility limit, but do not prohibit, us from incurring substantial amounts of additional debt. To the extent we incur additional debt, we would become even more susceptible to the leverage-related risks described above.

The agreement governing our debt contains various covenants that limit our management’s discretion in the operation of our business.

Our senior secured credit facility contains various covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things:

 
 
incur additional debt and issue preferred stock;
 
 
pay dividends and make other distributions;
 
 
make investments and other restricted payments;
 
 
make acquisitions;
 
 
merge, consolidate or transfer all or substantially all of our assets;
 
 
enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
 
 
create liens;
 
 
sell assets or stock of our subsidiaries; and
 
 
enter into transactions with affiliates.
 

 
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Our senior secured credit facility agreement does not contain financial covenant ratio requirements, but does provide for default in the event Nexstar does not comply with all covenants contained in its credit agreement. Future financing agreements may contain financial covenants which could limit our management’s ability to operate our business at its discretion, and consequently we may be unable to compete effectively, pursue acquisitions or take advantage of new business opportunities, any of which could harm our business.

If we fail to comply with the restrictions in present or future financing agreements, a default may occur. A default could allow creditors to accelerate the related debt as well as any other debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. A default could also allow creditors to foreclose on any collateral securing such debt.

Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on Nexstar’s pledge to continue the local service agreements described in a letter of support dated February 26, 2014. Nexstar’s senior secured credit facility agreement contains covenants which require Nexstar to comply with certain financial ratios, including consolidated leverage ratios and fixed charge coverage ratios. The covenants, which are calculated on a quarterly basis, include our and Nexstar’s combined results. Our senior secured credit facility agreement 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. As of December 31, 2013, Nexstar was in compliance with all covenants contained in the credit agreements governing its senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing its publicly-held notes.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service requirements.

Our ability to service our debt depends on our ability to generate the necessary cash flow.  Generation of the necessary cash flow is partially subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, and other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate cash flow from operations, that future borrowings will be available to us under our current or any replacement credit facilities, or that we will be able to complete any necessary financings, in amounts sufficient to enable us to fund our operations or pay our debts and other obligations, or to fund our liquidity needs. If we are not able to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt obligations, we may need to refinance or restructure our debt, sell assets, reduce or delay capital investments, or seek to raise additional capital. Additional financing may not be available in sufficient amounts, at times or on terms acceptable to us, or at all. If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations our lenders may determine to stop making loans to us, and/or our lenders or other holders of our debt could accelerate and declare due all outstanding obligations due under the debt agreement, all of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

We guarantee $525.0 million of outstanding 6.875% senior unsecured notes issued by Nexstar and $314.1 million of amounts outstanding under Nexstar’s senior secured credit facilty.

If Nexstar, which is highly leveraged with debt, is unable to satisfy its debt obligations, we can be held liable for those obligations under our guarantees. Additionally, Nexstar has $75.0 million of unused revolver commitments and $94.0 million unused Term Loan A facilities available under its senior secured credit facility, which is also guaranteed by us.

The recording of deferred tax asset valuation allowances in the future or the impact of tax law changes on such deferred tax assets could affect our operating results.  

We currently have significant net deferred tax assets resulting from tax credit carryforwards, net operating losses and other deductible temporary differences that are available to reduce taxable income in future periods. Based on our assessment of our deferred tax assets, we determined that as of December 31, 2013, based on projected future income, approximately $49.4 million of our deferred tax assets will more likely than not be realized in the future, and no valuation allowance is currently required for our deferred tax assets. Should we determine in the future that these assets will not be realized, we will be required to record a valuation allowance in connection with these deferred tax assets and our operating results would be adversely affected in the period such determination is made. In addition, tax law changes could negatively impact our deferred tax assets.


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

At December 31, 2013, we had NOLs of approximately $121.7 million for U.S. federal tax purposes and $48.0 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, 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. In general, an ownership change, as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, 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. While our analysis shows that historical events have not resulted in ownership changes that would limit our ability to use these NOLs, any subsequent ownership changes could result in such a limitation. In addition, our ability to use NOLs will be dependent on 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 results of operations.

Our broadcast operations could be adversely affected if our stations fail to maintain or renew their network affiliation agreements on favorable terms, or at all.

Due to the quality of the programming provided by the networks, stations that are affiliated with a network generally have higher ratings than unaffiliated independent stations in the same market. As a result, it is important for stations to maintain their network affiliations. Most of the stations that we operate have network affiliation agreements – 6 stations have primary affiliation agreements with ABC, 5 with FOX, 3 with NBC, 2 with CBS, 2 with the CW and 2 with MyNetworkTV. Each of ABC, NBC and CBS generally provides affiliated stations with up to 22 hours of prime time programming per week, while each of FOX and MyNetworkTV provides affiliated stations with up to 15 hours of prime time programming per week. In return, affiliated stations broadcast the respective network’s commercials during the network programming.

All of the network affiliation agreements of our stations are scheduled to expire at various times through December 2018. In order to renew certain of our affiliation agreements we may be required to make cash payments to the network, and to accept other material modifications of existing affiliation agreements. If any of our stations cease to maintain affiliation agreements with networks for any reason, we would need to find alternative sources of programming, which may be less attractive to our audiences and more expensive to obtain. In addition, a loss of a specific network affiliation for a station may affect our retransmission consent payments resulting in us receiving less retransmission consent fees. Further, some of our network affiliation agreements are subject to earlier termination by the networks under specified circumstances. For more information regarding these network affiliation agreements, see Item 1. “Business––Network Affiliations.”

The loss of or material reduction in retransmission consent revenues or a regulatory change in the current retransmission consent regulations could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.  

Mission’s retransmission consent agreements with cable operators, DBS systems, and others permit the operators to carry our stations’ signals in exchange for the payment of compensation to us from the system operators as consideration. The television networks have recently asserted to their local television station affiliates the networks’ position that they, as the owners or licensees of programming we broadcast and provide for retransmission, are entitled to a portion of the compensation under the retransmission consent agreements and are including these provisions in their network affiliation agreements. In addition, our affiliation agreements with some broadcast networks include certain terms that may affect our ability to allow MVPDs to retransmit network programming, and in some cases, we may lose the right to grant retransmission consent to such providers. Inclusion of these or similar provisions in our network affiliation agreements could materially reduce this revenue source and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

In addition, system operators are actively seeking to change the regulations under which retransmission consent is negotiated before both the U.S. Congress and the FCC in order to increase their bargaining leverage with television stations. On March 3, 2011, the FCC initiated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to reexamine its rules (1) governing the requirements for good faith negotiations between MVPDs and broadcasters, including implementing a prohibition on one station negotiating retransmission consent terms for another station under a local service agreement; (2) for providing advance notice to consumers in the event of dispute; and (3) to extend certain cable-only obligations to all MVPDs. The FCC 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. The FCC has indicated that on March 31, 2014, it will adopt a rule that generally prohibits joint retransmission consent negotiation by non-commonly owned television stations. If the FCC prohibits joint negotiations or modifies the network non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity protection rules, such changes could materially reduce this revenue source and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Congress is also considering legislation which could impact the regulations governing retransmission consent.
 

 
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Further, certain online video distributors and other over-the-top video distributors (“OTTDs”) have begun streaming broadcast programming over the Internet without the consent of the broadcast station.  In two cases, a federal district court issued a preliminary injunction enjoining an OTTD from streaming broadcast programming because the court concluded that the OTTD was unlikely to demonstrate that it was eligible for the statutory copyright license that provides MVPDs with the copyrights to retransmit broadcast programming.  In another case, a preliminary injunction against another entity providing access to broadcast programming over the Internet was denied. There, the federal district court concluded that the OTTD was likely to prevail in demonstrating that its operations are not a copyright violation.  The U.S. Supreme Court has granted certiorari and will hear oral arguments with respect to the differing lower court interpretations in April 2014.   In 2010, the FCC’s Media Bureau, in a program access proceeding, tentatively concluded that one OTTD had not shown that it was an MVPD for purposes of demonstrating eligibility for the program access rules, and in March 2012, the FCC, recognizing that the classification could also have implications under the retransmission consent requirements, issued a public notice seeking comment on, among other things, the proper interpretation of the term “MVPD” under FCC rules.  We cannot predict the outcome of the pending litigation or of the FCC’s interpretive proceedings.  However, if the courts determine that consent of the broadcast station or copyright owners is not required and/or if the FCC determines that an OTTD is not an MVPD, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. 

The FCC could decide not to grant renewal of the FCC license of any of the stations we operate, which would require that station to cease operations.

Television broadcast licenses are granted for a maximum term of eight years and are subject to renewal upon application to the FCC. The FCC is required to grant an application for license renewal if, during the preceding term, the station served the public interest, the licensee did not commit any serious violations of the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules, and the licensee committed no other violations of the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules which, taken together, would constitute a pattern of abuse. A majority of renewal applications are routinely granted under this standard. If a licensee fails to meet this standard the FCC may still grant renewal on terms and conditions that it deems appropriate, including a monetary forfeiture or renewal for a term less than the normal eight-year period. However, in an extreme case, the FCC may deny a station’s license renewal application, resulting in termination of the station’s authority to broadcast. Under the Communications Act, the term of a broadcast license is automatically extended during the pendency of the FCC’s processing of a timely renewal application.

On January 3, 2006, Cable America Corporation (“Cable America”) submitted a petition to deny the applications for renewal of license for Nexstar’s station, KOZL, and our station, KOLR, both licensed to Springfield, Missouri. Cable America alleged that Nexstar’s local service agreement arrangements with us give Nexstar improper control over our operations. We and Nexstar submitted a joint opposition to this petition to deny and Cable America submitted a reply. Cable America subsequently requested that the FCC dismiss its petition. However, the petition remains pending with the FCC.

We filed renewal of license applications for our stations between February 2005 and April 2007. On June 1, 2012, the FCC’s renewal cycle for television stations reinitiated. We have filed further renewal applications for our stations in the current cycle and will file additional applications before the cycle closes on April 1, 2015. The majority of our renewal applications, including the KOLR application discussed above, remain pending with the FCC. We expect the FCC to renew the licenses for our stations in due course but cannot provide any assurances that the FCC will do so. Third parties are permitted to submit objections to these applications.

Our growth may be limited if we are unable to implement our acquisition strategy.

We have achieved much of our growth through acquisitions, including the acquisition of 3 stations in 2013. We intend to continue our growth by selectively pursuing acquisitions of television stations. The television broadcast industry is undergoing consolidation, which may reduce the number of acquisition targets and increase the purchase price of future acquisitions. Some of our competitors may have greater financial or management resources with which to pursue acquisition targets. Therefore, even if we are successful in identifying attractive acquisition targets, we may face considerable competition and our acquisition strategy may not be successful.

FCC rules and policies may also make it more difficult for us to acquire additional television stations. Television station acquisitions are subject to the approval of the FCC and, potentially, other regulatory authorities. FCC rules limit the number of television stations a company may own and define the types of local service agreements that “count” as ownership by the party providing the services. Those rules are subject to change. The need for FCC and other regulatory approvals could restrict our ability to consummate future transactions if, for example, the FCC or other government agencies believe that a proposed transaction would result in excessive concentration or other public interest detriment in a market, even if the proposed combination may otherwise comply with FCC ownership limitations.


 
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Growing our business through acquisitions involves risks and if we are unable to manage effectively our growth, our operating results will suffer.

During the three years ended December 31, 2013, we acquired 4 stations. As of December 31, 2013, we have also signed various agreements to acquire 11 stations. We will continue to actively pursue additional acquisition opportunities. To manage effectively our growth and address the increased reporting requirements and administrative demands that will result from future acquisitions, we will need, among other things, to continue to develop our financial and management controls and management information systems. We will also need to continue to identify, attract and retain highly skilled finance and management personnel. Failure to do any of these tasks in an efficient and timely manner could seriously harm our business.

There are other risks associated with growing our business through acquisitions. For example, with any past or future acquisition, there is the possibility that:

 
 
we may not be able to successfully reduce costs, increase advertising revenue or audience share or realize anticipated synergies and economies of scale with respect to any acquired station;
 
 
an acquisition may increase our leverage and debt service requirements or may result in our assuming unexpected liabilities;
 
 
our management may be reassigned from overseeing existing operations by the need to integrate the acquired business;
 
 
we may experience difficulties integrating operations and systems, as well as company policies and cultures;
 
 
we may fail to retain and assimilate employees of the acquired business; and
 
 
problems may arise in entering new markets in which we have little or no experience.

The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, particularly during the period immediately following any acquisition.

The FCC may decide to terminate “grandfathered” time brokerage agreements.

The FCC attributes time brokerage agreements and local marketing agreements (“TBAs”) to the programmer under its ownership limits if the programmer provides more than 15% of a station’s weekly broadcast programming. However, TBAs entered into prior to November 5, 1996 are exempt attributable interests for now.

The FCC will review these “grandfathered” TBAs in the future. During this review, the FCC may determine to terminate the “grandfathered” period and make all TBAs fully attributable to the programmer. If the FCC does so, we will be required to terminate the TBAs with Nexstar for stations WFXP and KHMT unless the FCC simultaneously changes its duopoly rules to allow ownership of two stations in the applicable markets. During the year ended December 31, 2013, WFXP and KHMT net revenue and net loss represents less than 1% and 3%, respectively, of our total operations.

FCC actions may restrict our ability to enter into local service agreements with Nexstar, which would harm our operations and impair our acquisition strategy.

We have entered into local service agreements with Nexstar for our stations. While all of our existing local service agreements comply with current FCC rules and policies, we cannot assure you that the FCC will continue to permit local service agreements as a means of creating substantial operating efficiencies, and the FCC may challenge our existing arrangements with Nexstar in the future.

On August 2, 2004, the FCC initiated a rule making proceeding to determine whether to make television joint sales agreements attributable under its ownership rules. Comments and reply comments were filed in this proceeding in the fourth quarter of 2004. The FCC has not yet issued a decision in this proceeding.

The FCC is required to review its media ownership rules every four years and 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. 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. Initial comments on the NPRM were filed on March 5, 2012, and reply comments were filed in April 2012.
 

 
14

 
 
The FCC has indicated that on March 31, 2014, it will take various actions related to its pending 2010 media ownership review and the commencement of its 2014 review.  These actions are expected to include the adoption of a rule which will make television JSAs attributable to the selling party when that party sells more than 15% of a second in-market station’s advertising time.  The FCC may require the termination of existing JSAs within a specified period of time if the newly attributable JSAs do not comply with the local television ownership limits. The FCC is also expected to consider further action with respect to SSAs, and to solicit public comment on other of its media ownership rules. If the FCC adopts a JSA or SSA attribution rule, or any other new or modified rule affecting the ownership of or local service agreements between television stations, we will be required to comply with such rules. In particular, the actions the FCC has indicated it will take on March 31, 2014 may require Nexstar and us ultimately to terminate or restructure both our existing local service agreements and the local service agreements which Nexstar and we have proposed to enter into in connection with pending transactions.

Cable America has alleged that our local service agreements with Nexstar give Nexstar improper control over our operations. If the FCC challenges our existing arrangements with Nexstar and determines that our arrangements violate the FCC’s rules and policies, we may be required to terminate such arrangements and we could be subject to sanctions, fines and/or other penalties.

We have a material amount of goodwill and intangible assets, and therefore we could suffer losses due to future asset impairment charges.

As of December 31, 2013, $98.1 million, or 56.1%, of our total assets consisted of goodwill and intangible assets, including FCC licenses and network affiliation agreements. We test goodwill and FCC licenses annually, and on an interim date if factors or indicators become apparent that would require an interim test of these assets, in accordance with accounting and disclosure requirements for goodwill and other intangible assets. We test network affiliation agreements whenever circumstances or indicators become apparent the asset may not be recoverable through expected future cash flows. The methods used to evaluate the impairment of our goodwill and intangible assets would be affected by a significant reduction in operating results or cash flows at one or more of our television stations, or a forecast of such reductions, a significant adverse change in the advertising marketplaces in which our television stations operate, the loss of network affiliations, or adverse changes to FCC ownership rules, among others, which may be beyond our control. If the carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets is revised downward due to impairment, such non-cash charge could materially affect our financial position and results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Industry

Preemption of regularly scheduled programming by network news coverage may affect our revenue and results of operations.

We may experience a loss of advertising revenue and incur additional broadcasting expenses due to preemption of our regularly scheduled programming by network coverage of a major global news event such as a war or terrorist attack or by local coverage of local disasters, such as tornados and hurricanes. As a result, advertising may not be aired and the revenue for such advertising may be lost unless the station is able to run the advertising at agreed-upon times in the future. Advertisers may not agree to run such advertising in future time periods, and space may not be available for such advertising. The duration of any preemption of local programming cannot be predicted if it occurs. In addition, our stations may incur additional expenses as a result of expanded news coverage of a war or terrorist attack or local disaster. The loss of revenue and increased expenses could negatively affect our results of operations.

If we are unable to respond to changes in technology and evolving industry trends, our television businesses may not be able to compete effectively. 

New technologies could also adversely affect our television stations. Information delivery and programming alternatives such as cable, direct satellite-to-home services, pay-per-view, video on demand, over-the-top distribution of programming, the Internet, telephone company services, mobile devices, digital video recorders and home video and entertainment systems have fractionalized television viewing audiences and expanded the numbers and types of distribution channels for advertisers to access. Over the past decade, cable television programming services, other emerging video distribution platforms and the Internet have captured an increasing market share, while the aggregate viewership of the major television networks has declined. In addition, the expansion of cable and satellite television, the Internet and other technological changes have increased, and may continue to increase, the competitive demand for programming. Such increased demand, together with rising production costs, may increase our programming costs or impair our ability to acquire or develop desired programming.

In addition, video compression techniques now in use with MVPDs are expected to permit greater numbers of channels to be carried within existing bandwidth. These compression techniques as well as other technological developments are applicable to all video delivery systems, including over-the-air broadcasting, and have the potential to provide vastly expanded programming to targeted audiences. Reduction in the cost of creating additional channel capacity could lower entry barriers for new channels and encourage the development of increasingly specialized niche programming, resulting in more audience fractionalization. This ability to reach very narrowly defined audiences may alter the competitive dynamics for advertising expenditures. We are unable to predict the effect that these and other technological changes will have on the television industry or on our results of operations.
 

 
15

 
 
The FCC can sanction us for programming broadcast on our stations which it finds to be indecent.

The FCC may impose substantial fines, to a maximum of $325,000 per violation, on television broadcasters for the broadcast of indecent material in violation of the Communications Act and its rules.  Because our stations’ programming is in large part comprised of programming provided by the networks with which the stations are affiliated, we do not have full control over what is broadcast on our stations, and we may be subject to the imposition of fines if the FCC finds such programming to be indecent.

In June 2012, the Supreme Court decided a challenge to the FCC’s indecency enforcement without resolving the constitutionality of such enforcement, and the FCC thereafter requested public comment on the appropriate substance and scope of its indecency enforcement policy. The FCC has not yet issued any further decisions or rules in this area, and the courts remain free to review the FCC’s current policy or any modifications thereto. The outcomes of these proceedings could affect future FCC policies in this area, and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Intense competition in the television industry could limit our growth and our profitability.

As a television broadcasting company, we face a significant level of competition, both directly and indirectly. Generally, we compete for our audience against all the other leisure activities in which one could choose to engage rather than watch television. Specifically, stations we own compete for audience share, programming and advertising revenue with other television stations in their respective markets and with other advertising media, including newspapers, radio stations, cable television, DBS systems and the Internet.

The entertainment and television industries are highly competitive and are undergoing a period of consolidation. Many of our current and potential competitors have greater financial, marketing, programming and broadcasting resources than we do. The markets in which we operate are also in a constant state of change arising from, among other things, technological improvements and economic and regulatory developments. Technological innovation and the resulting proliferation of television entertainment, such as cable television, wireless cable, DBS services, pay-per-view, home video and entertainment systems and Internet and mobile distribution of video programming have fractionalized television viewing audiences and have subjected free over-the-air television broadcast stations to increased competition. We may not be able to compete effectively or adjust our business plans to meet changing market conditions. We are unable to predict what form of competition will develop in the future, the extent of the competition or its possible effects on our business.

The FCC could implement regulations or Congress could adopt legislation that might have a significant impact on the operations of the stations we own and operate or the television broadcasting industry as a whole.

The FCC has initiated proceedings to determine whether to make TV joint sales agreements and shared services agreements attributable interests under its ownership rules; to determine whether to standardize TV stations’ reporting of programming responsive to local needs and interests; to determine whether to modify or eliminate certain of its broadcast ownership rules, including the radio-television cross-ownership rule and the newspaper-television cross-ownership rule; and whether to modify its retransmission consent rules. A change to any of these rules may have a significant impact on us.

In addition, the FCC has sought comment on whether there are alternatives to the use of DMAs to define local markets such that certain viewers whose current DMAs straddle multiple states would be provided with more in-state broadcast programming. If the FCC determines to modify the use of existing DMAs to determine a station’s local market, such change might materially alter current station operations and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The FCC may also decide to initiate other new rule making proceedings on its own or in response to requests from outside parties, any of which might have such an impact. Congress also may act to amend the Communications Act in a manner that could impact our stations or the television broadcast industry in general.
 
The FCC may reallocate some portion of the spectrum available for use by television broadcasters to wireless broadband use, which could substantially impact our future operations and may reduce viewer access to our programming.

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 issued 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 our investment in digital facilities, could require substantial additional investment to continue our current operations, and may require viewers to invest in additional equipment or subscription services to continue receiving broadcast television signals. We cannot predict the timing or results of television spectrum reallocation efforts or their impact to our business.

 
16

 
 
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments

None

Item 2.                      Properties

We own and lease facilities in the following locations:
 
Station Metropolitan Area and Use
 
Owned or
Leased
   
Approximate Size
   
Expiration
of Lease
 
WYOU—Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA
                 
Office-Studio(1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site—Penobscot Mountain
 
100% Owned
   
120.33 Acres
       
Tower/Transmitter Site—Bald Mountain
 
100% Owned
   
7.2 Acres
       
Tower/Transmitter Site—Williamsport
 
33% Owned
   
1.35 Acres
       
Tower/Transmitter Site—Sharp Mountain
 
33% Owned
   
0.23 Acres
       
                         
WAWV—Terre Haute, IN
                       
Office-Studio(1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
100% Owned
   
1 Acre
       
                         
WFXP—Erie, PA
                       
Office-Studio(1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site(1) 
                 
                         
KJTL/KJBO-LP—Wichita Falls, TX—Lawton, OK
                       
Office-Studio(1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
Leased
   
40 Acres
   
1/30/15
 
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
Leased
   
5 Acres
   
Year to Year
 
                         
KODE—Joplin, MO-Pittsburg, KS
                       
Office-Studio
 
100% Owned
   
2.74 Acres
       
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
Leased
   
215 Sq. Ft.
   
4/30/27
 
                         
KRBC—Abilene-Sweetwater, TX
                       
Office-Studio
 
100% Owned
   
5.42 Acres
       
Office-Studio
 
100% Owned
   
19,312 Sq. Ft.
       
Tower/Transmitter Site(1) 
                 
                         
KTVE—Monroe, LA-El Dorado, AR
                       
Office-Studio(1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
Leased
   
2 Acres
   
4/30/32
 
Tower/Transmitter Site – El Dorado
 
Leased
   
3 Acres
   
4/30/32
 
Tower/Transmitter Site – Bolding
 
Leased
   
11.5 Acres
   
4/30/32
 
                         
KSAN—San Angelo, TX
                       
Office-Studio(1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
Leased
   
10 Acres
   
5/15/15
 
                         
KOLR—Springfield, MO
                       
Office-Studio
 
100% Owned
   
30,000 Sq. Ft.
       
Office-Studio
 
100% Owned
   
7 Acres
       
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
Leased
   
0.5 Acres
   
5/12/21
 
                         
KCIT/KCPN-LP—Amarillo, TX
                       
Office-Studio(1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
Leased
   
100 Acres
   
5/12/21
 
Tower/Transmitter Site—Parmer County, TX
 
Leased
   
80 Sq. Ft.
   
Month to Month
 
Tower/Transmitter Site—Guyman, OK
 
Leased
   
80 Sq. Ft.
   
Month to Month
 
Tower/Transmitter Site—Curry County, NM
 
Leased
   
6 Acres
   
Month to Month
 
                         
KAMC—Lubbock, TX
                       
Office-Studio(1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
Leased
   
40 Acres
   
5/12/21
 
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
Leased
   
1,200 Sq. Ft.
   
Month to Month
 
                         
KHMT—Billings, MT
                       
Office-Studio(1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
Leased
   
4 Acres
   
5/12/21
 
                         
WUTR—Utica, NY
                       
Office-Studio
 
100% Owned
   
12,100 Sq. Ft.
       
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
100% Owned
   
21 Acres
       
Tower/Transmitter Site-Mohawk
 
Leased
   
48 Sq. Ft
   
Month to Month
 
                         
WTVO—Rockford, IL
                       
Office-Studio-Tower/Transmitter Site
 
100% Owned
   
20,000 Sq. Ft.
       
                         
WTVW-Evansville, IN
                       
Office-Studio (1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site
 
Leased
   
16.36 Acres
   
5/12/21
 
                         
KLRT/KASN-Little Rock-Pine Bluff, AR
                       
Office-Studio (1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site-Redfield
 
100% owned
   
1,625 Sq. Ft.
       
Tower/Transmitter Site-Redfield
 
100% owned
   
120 Acres
       
Tower/Transmitter Site-Pulaski
 
Leased
   
0.23 Acres
   
5/12/21
 
                         
WVNY-Burlington, VT-Plattsburgh, NY
                       
Office-Studio (1) 
                 
Tower/Transmitter Site (1) 
                 
                         
Corporate Office—Westlake, OH
 
Leased
   
640 Sq. Ft.
   
11/30/14
 
__________________________
(1)
These locations used by the stations are owned by Nexstar.

 

 
17

 
 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are involved in litigation that arises from the ordinary course of our business, such as contractual or employment disputes or other general actions. In the event of an adverse outcome of these legal proceedings, we believe the resulting liabilities would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.
 
PART II

Item 5.                      Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Market Information

As of December 31, 2013, our common stock was not traded on any market and two shareholders held all 1,000 shares of outstanding common stock. Our senior secured credit facility may limit the amount of dividends we may pay to shareholders over the term of the agreement.

 
18

 


 
Item 6.               Selected Financial Data

We derived the following statements of operations and cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and balance sheet data as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 from our Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. We derived the following statements of operations and cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 and balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 from our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. This information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included herein. Amounts below are presented in thousands.

   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                               
Statement of Operations Data, for the years ended December 31:
 
Net broadcast revenue
  $ 28,971     $ 18,610     $ 18,933     $ 18,086     $ 16,210  
Revenue from Nexstar(1) 
    39,513       33,352       27,800       29,878       25,435  
Net revenue
    68,484       51,962       46,733       47,964       41,645  
Operating expenses (income):
                                       
Corporate expenses
    1,117       1,056       913       1,090       1,263  
Direct operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    14,550       7,320       7,622       7,941       8,154  
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    1,941       1,831       3,594       3,601       3,574  
Fees incurred pursuant to local service agreements with Nexstar(2)
    9,740       7,740       7,190       7,160       7,425  
Impairment of goodwill
    -       -       -       -       261  
Impairment of other intangible assets
    -       -       -       -       1,997  
Gain on asset exchange
    -       -       -       -       (2,738 )
Loss (gain) on asset disposal, net
    177       (155 )     190       170       56  
Barter and trade expense
    4,228       2,865       3,280       3,184       3,427  
Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter
    1,806       1,374       1,541       1,651       2,363  
Depreciation
    3,535       2,853       3,143       3,320       4,062  
Amortization of intangible assets
    6,762       5,081       5,531       5,330       5,330  
Income from operations(3) 
    24,628       21,997       13,729       14,517       6,471  
Interest expense
    (16,181 )     (15,037 )     (14,681 )     (12,998 )     (6,051 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt(4) 
    (14,332 )     (233 )     -       (2,432 )     -  
Other expense
    (302 )     -       -       -       -  
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (6,187 )     6,727       (952 )     (913 )     420  
Income tax benefit (expense)(5) 
    2,441       40,515       (749 )     (1,836 )     (986 )
Net (loss) income
  $ (3,746 )   $ 47,242     $ (1,701 )   $ (2,749 )   $ (566 )
____________________________________
(1)
We have joint sales agreements with Nexstar, which permit Nexstar to sell and retain a percentage of the net revenue from the advertising time on our stations in return for monthly payments to us of the remaining percentage of the net revenue. We also have time brokerage agreements with Nexstar that allow Nexstar to program most of the broadcast time for us, sell the advertising time and retain the advertising revenue generated in exchange for monthly payments to us.
(2)
We have shared services agreements with Nexstar, which allow the sharing of services including news production, technical maintenance and security, in exchange for Nexstar’s right to receive certain payments from us.
(3)
Income from operations is generally higher during even-numbered years, when advertising revenue from state, congressional and presidential elections occur and from advertising aired during the Olympic Games. However, due to the accretive acquisitions in 2011 and 2013, the income from operations increased over time.
(4)
In 2013, Mission and Nexstar, the co-issuers, retired the $325.0 million outstanding principal balance under the 8.875% Senior Second Lien Notes. The retirement resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $14.2 million for Mission.
(5)
In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company decreased its valuation allowance on deferred tax assets by $43.0 million.

 
19

 


 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
                               
Balance Sheet Data, as of December 31:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,716     $ 318     $ 1,898     $ 1,250     $ 903  
Working capital (deficit)
    7,425       (3,336 )     (8,557 )     1,843       (2,169 )
Net intangible assets and goodwill
    98,090       50,864       55,945       61,476       66,806  
Total assets
    174,749       119,381       87,892       104,213       106,322  
Total debt
    232,465       362,861       363,477       356,241       172,360  
Total shareholders’ deficit
    (74,593 )     (260,771 )     (307,419 )     (279,814 )     (88,275 )
                                         
Statement of Cash Flows Data, for the years ended December 31:
 
Net cash provided by (used in):
                                       
Operating activities
  $ 4,428     $ 5,797     $ 1,551     $ 4,370     $ 4,636  
Investing activities
    (56,593 )     (6,091 )     (7,221 )     (295 )     (1,756 )
Financing activities
    55,563       (1,286 )     6,318       (3,728 )     (3,548 )
Capital expenditures
    165       287       541       295       1,756  
Cash payments for broadcast rights
    2,230       1,680       1,815       2,009       1,951  


 
20

 

Item 7.                      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Item 6. “Selected Financial Data” and the Financial Statements and related Notes included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As used in this discussion, unless the context indicates otherwise, “Mission” refers to Mission Broadcasting, Inc., and all references to “we”, “our”, “us” and the “Company” refer to Mission.

2013 Acquisitions

·  
Effective January 1, 2013, we acquired the assets of KLRT, the FOX affiliate and KASN, the CW affiliate, both in the Little Rock, Arkansas market, from Newport Television, LLC (“Newport”) for $59.7 million, funded by $60.0 million term loan under our senior secured credit facility.

·  
On March 1, 2013, we acquired the assets of WVNY, the ABC affiliate, in the Burlington, Vermont market from Smith Media, LLC (“Smith Media”) for $5.6 million, funded by a combination of $5.0 million borrowings from our revolving credit facility and cash on hand.

Signed Purchase Agreements

·  
On April 24, 2013, we and Nexstar 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. Pursuant to the stock purchase agreement, we will acquire 7 television stations and will enter into local service agreements with Nexstar. Nexstar will acquire 10 television stations and Rocky Creek Communications, Inc. (“Rocky Creek”), an independent third party, will acquire 2 television stations. The acquisitions are projected to close in the second quarter of 2014 and the purchase price is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to closing, borrowings under our and Nexstar’s existing credit facilities and future credit market transactions.

·  
On September 13, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WICZ, the FOX affiliate, and WBPN-LP, the MyNetworkTV affiliate, both in the Binghamton, New York market, from Stainless Broadcasting, L.P. (“Stainless”), for $15.3 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital. A deposit of $0.2 million was paid upon signing the agreement. We project the acquisition to close in the second quarter of 2014 and the remaining purchase price is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to closing and borrowings under our existing credit facility.

·  
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. Simultaneous with this agreement, we entered into a purchase agreement with Nexstar pursuant to which we will acquire one of Grant’s stations, KLJB, the FOX affiliate, in the Quad Cities, Iowa market, from Nexstar for $15.3 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital. Upon consummation of this acquisition, we will also enter into local service agreements with Nexstar. We project the acquisition to close in the second quarter of 2014 and the purchase price is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to closing and borrowings under our existing credit facility.

·  
On December 18, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the outstanding equity of KFQX, the FOX affiliate, in the Grand Junction, Colorado market, for $4.0 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital, from Excalibur Broadcasting, LLC (“Excalibur”). We project the acquisition to close in the second quarter of 2014 and the purchase price is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to closing and borrowings under our existing credit facility.


 
21

 


Debt Transactions

·  
On January 3, 2013, we borrowed $60.0 million in term loans under our senior secured credit facility to fund the acquisition of the assets of KLRT and KASN from Newport.

·  
On June 28, 2013, we entered into an amendment to our senior secured credit facility. The amendment provided commitments for incremental term loan facility (“Term Loan A Facility”) 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. As of December 31, 2013, we had no borrowings under this facility.

·  
On October 1, 2013, we entered into an amendment to our senior secured credit facility. The amendment provided for an incremental term loan (“Term Loan B-2”) of $125.0 million and amended revolving credit facility of up to $30.0 million. On December 31, 2013, we began the scheduled quarterly repayments on the Term Loan B-2 of 0.25% of the aggregate principal. The remainder of the principal is due in full at maturity on October 1, 2020.

·  
During September 2013, Nexstar repurchased $10.4 million of the 8.875% Senior Second Lien Notes (“8.875% Notes”) at an average price of 108.2%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, funded by cash on hand. On October 1, 2013, we and Nexstar 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 repurchases were funded by a combination of the proceeds from the issuance of our Term Loan B-2, Nexstar’s $275.0 million 6.875% senior unsecured notes (“6.875% Notes”) it issued on October 1, 2013 and cash on hand. The tender offer expired on October 15, 2013 and we and Nexstar repurchased the remaining $21.9 million outstanding principal balance of the 8.875% Notes at the redemption price of 107.0%, funded by cash on hand, on November 18, 2013. These repurchases resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $14.2 million for Mission.

·  
On December 9, 2013, we entered into an amendment to our senior secured credit facility. Under the terms of the amendment, we borrowed an additional $5.0 Term Loan B-2. On the same date, we converted the $103.5 million total principal balance of our Term Loan B, issued in December 2012 and January 2013, into Term Loan B-2. The refinanced term loans allow us favorable interest rates and extended debt maturity date.

·  
Throughout 2013, we repaid the contractual maturities under our term loans of $1.1 million.

Overview of Operations

As of December 31, 2013, we owned and operated 20 television stations and 4 digital multicast channels. We have local service agreements with certain television stations owned by Nexstar, through which Nexstar provides various programming, sales or other services to our television stations. In compliance with FCC regulations for both Nexstar and us, we maintain complete responsibility for and control over programming, finances and personnel for our stations.

The following table summarizes the various local service agreements our stations had in effect as of December 31, 2013 with Nexstar:
 
Service Agreements
Stations
TBA Only (1)
WFXP and KHMT
SSA & JSA (2)
KJTL, KJBO-LP, KLRT, KASN, KOLR, KCIT, KCPN-LP, KAMC, KRBC, KSAN, WUTR, WAWV, WYOU, KODE, KTVE, WTVO, WTVW and WVNY
_____________________________ 
(1)
We have a time brokerage agreement (“TBA”) for 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 us, based on the station’s monthly operating expenses.
(2)
We have both a shared services agreement (“SSA”) and a joint sales agreement (“JSA”) for each of these stations. The SSA allows the sharing of services including news production, technical maintenance and security, in exchange for Nexstar’s right to receive certain payments from us as described in the SSAs. The JSAs permit 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 us of the remaining percentage of the net revenue, as described in the JSAs.


 
Under the local service agreements, Nexstar has received substantially all of our available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations. We anticipate that Nexstar will continue to receive substantially all of our available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations. For more information about our local service agreements with Nexstar, refer to Note 4 of our Financial Statements in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


 
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The operating revenue of our stations is derived primarily from broadcast advertising revenue sold and collected by Nexstar and paid to us under the JSAs. Broadcast advertising revenue is affected by a number of factors, including the economic conditions of the markets in which we operate, the demographic makeup of those markets and the marketing strategy employed in each market. 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. Because television broadcast stations rely on advertising revenue, declines in advertising budgets, particularly in recessionary periods, adversely affect the broadcast industry, and as a result may contribute to a decrease in the revenue of broadcast television stations. The 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 from advertising aired during the Olympic Games. As 2013 was not an election year or Olympic year, we are reporting less advertising revenue compared to 2012 which is consistent with our expectations.

We earn revenues from local cable providers, DBS services and other MVPDs for the retransmission of our broadcasts. These revenues are generally earned based on a price per subscriber of the MVPD within the retransmission area. We have been successful at negotiating favorable pricing with MVPDs, as well as signing retransmission agreements with additional MVPDs, driving significant revenue gains over the last few years.

Most of our stations have network affiliation agreements pursuant to which the networks provide programming to the stations during specified time periods, including prime time. NBC and CBS compensate some of our affiliated stations for distributing the network’s programming over the air and for allowing the network to keep a portion of advertising inventory during those time periods. The affiliation agreements with ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and Bounce TV do not provide for compensation. In recent years, in conjunction with the renewal of affiliation agreements, network compensation is being eliminated and many of the networks are now seeking cash payments from their affiliates. In 2013, we renewed our affiliation agreements with FOX through December 2016 for 4 of our FOX stations and with MyNetworkTV through August 2016, for 3 of our MyNetworkTV stations.

Each station acquires licenses to broadcast programming in non-news and non-network time periods. The licenses are either purchased from a program distributor for cash or the program distributor is allowed to sell some of the advertising inventory as compensation to eliminate or reduce the cash cost for the license. The latter practice is referred to as barter broadcast rights. The station records the estimated fair market value of the licenses, including any advertising inventory given to the program distributor, as a broadcast right asset and liability. Barter broadcast rights are recorded at management’s estimate of the value of the advertising time exchanged using historical advertising rates, which approximates the fair value of the program material received. The assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the license period or period of usage, whichever ends earlier. The cash broadcast rights liabilities are reduced by monthly payments while the barter liability is amortized over the same amortization period as the asset as barter revenue.

Our primary operating expense consists of fixed monthly SSA fees paid to Nexstar for news production and technical and other services. To a lesser extent our operating expenses include employee compensation and related benefits. A large percentage of the costs involved in the operation of our stations remains fixed.
 
Historical Performance
 
Revenue
 
The following table sets forth the principal types of revenue earned by our stations for the years ended December 31 and each type of revenue (other than barter revenue and revenue from Nexstar) as a percentage of total gross revenue (dollars in thousands):

   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
Retransmission compensation
  $ 24,192       97.8     $ 15,323       97.3     $ 9,837       62.9  
Net advertising revenue
    -       -       -       -       5,363       34.3  
Network compensation
    137       0.6       245       1.6       351       2.2  
Other
    414       1.6       177       1.1       96       0.6  
Net broadcast revenue before barter
    24,743       100.0       15,745       100.0       15,647       100.0  
Barter and trade revenue
    4,228               2,865               3,286          
Revenue from Nexstar
    39,513               33,352               27,800          
Net revenue
  $ 68,484             $ 51,962             $ 46,733          


 
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Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth a summary of our operations (in thousands) and the components of operating expense as a percentage of net revenue:

   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
Net revenue
  $ 68,484       100.0     $ 51,962       100.0     $ 46,733       100.0  
Operating expenses (income):
                                               
Corporate expenses
    1,117       1.6       1,056       2.0       913       2.0  
Station direct operating expenses, net of trade
    14,550       21.2        7,320       14.2        7,622       16.3   
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    1,941       2.8        1,831       3.5        3,594       7.7  
Fees incurred pursuant to local service agreements with Nexstar
    9,740       14.2       7,740       14.9       7,190       15.4  
Loss (gain) on asset disposal, net
    177       0.3       (155 )     (0.3)       190       0.4  
Barter and trade expense
    4,228       6.2       2,865       5.5       3,280       7.0  
Depreciation
    3,535       5.2       2,853       5.5       3,143       6.7  
Amortization of intangible assets
    6,762       9.9       5,081       9.8       5,531       11.9  
Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter
    1,806       2.6       1,374       2.6       1,541       3.2  
Income from operations
  $ 24,628             $ 21,997             $ 13,729          

 
24

 


Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
Revenue
 
Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased by $16.5 million, or 31.8%, from the same period in 2012. This increase was primarily attributed to revenue from our newly acquired stations and increase in retransmission compensation.

Revenue from Nexstar was $39.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $33.4 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $6.2 million or 18.5%. The revenue we earn from Nexstar through our JSAs is directly correlated to the advertising revenue earned at our stations, which has increased as a result of JSAs we entered with Nexstar for our newly acquired stations, KLRT and KASN on January 1, 2013 and WVNY on March 1, 2013, partially offset by decreases in our legacy stations due to 2013 being not a political or Olympic year.

Compensation from retransmission consent and network affiliation agreements was $24.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $15.6 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $8.8 million, or 56.3%. The increase was primarily due to retransmission consent providing for higher rates per subscriber during the period and incremental revenue from our newly acquired stations.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Corporate expenses were consistent at $1.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Corporate expense relates to costs associated with the centralized management of our stations.
 
Station direct operating expenses, consisting primarily of news, engineering and programming, and selling, general and administrative expenses were $16.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $9.2 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $7.3 million, or 80.2%. The increase was primarily due to news, engineering and programming costs of our newly acquired stations during the year ended December 31, 2013 of $4.8 million and an increase in programming costs of our legacy stations of $2.3 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 continue to increase over the next several years.

Local service agreement fees associated with Nexstar relate to services provided by Nexstar in the production of newscasts, technical maintenance, promotional and administrative support under the SSAs. SSA fees were $9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $7.7 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $2.0 million, or 25.8%. The increase was due to the SSAs we entered into with Nexstar for our newly acquired stations, KLRT-TV and KASN on January 1, 2013 and WVNY on March 1, 2013.
 
Amortization of intangible assets was $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $5.1 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $1.7 million, or 33.1%. The increase was due to incremental amortization from our newly acquired stations.

Depreciation of property and equipment was $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $2.9 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $0.7 million, or 23.9%. The increase was due to incremental depreciation from our newly acquired stations.
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense, net was $16.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $15.1 million for the same period in 2012, an increase of $1.1 million, or 7.6%. The increase was primarily attributable to borrowings from our senior secured credit facility during 2013 to fund the purchase price of newly acquired stations and retire the 8.875% Notes. This was partially offset by lower interest rates on our outstanding debt as a result of refinanced senior secured credit facility that we completed during the fourth quarter of 2012 as well as lower interest rates on our borrowings during 2013.

Other Expense

Other expenses during the year ended December 31, 2013 were attributable to $0.3 million of underwriting fees we incurred to refinance a term loan that allows us favorable interest rates and extended debt maturity date.

Income Taxes
 
We recognized an income tax benefit of $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to income tax benefit of $40.5 million for the same period in 2012. The decrease in income tax benefit was primarily due to the release of a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets for NOLs and other deferred tax assets during 2012.
 
 
 
25

 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011

Revenue
 
Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased by $5.2 million, or 11.2%, from the same period in 2011. This increase was primarily attributed to an increase in retransmission compensation.
 
Revenue from Nexstar was $33.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $27.8 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $5.6 million or 20.0%. The revenue we earn from Nexstar through our JSAs is directly correlated to the advertising revenue earned at our stations, which has increased as a result of the increase in political advertising in 2012, which is an election year. We entered into a JSA with Nexstar for WTVW on December 1, 2011 which increased our JSA revenue and discontinued our net advertising revenue stream.

Compensation from retransmission consent and network affiliation agreements was $15.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $10.2 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $5.4 million, or 52.8%. The increase was primarily due to renegotiated cable agreements providing for higher rates per subscriber during the period.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Corporate expense mainly relates to costs associated with the centralized management of our stations. Corporate expenses were $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $0.9 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $0.2 million, or 15.7%. This was due to an increase in legal and professional fees associated with our acquisitions of three television stations completed in January and March of 2013.
 
Station direct operating expenses, consisting primarily of news, engineering and programming, and selling, general and administrative expenses were $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $11.2 million for the same period in 2011, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 18.4%. We entered into a JSA with Nexstar for WTVW on December 1, 2011 which reduced station direct operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses by $3.7 million. This reduction was partially offset by increases in other program costs of $1.4 million primarily related to our renegotiated network affiliation agreements and increased health claims of $0.3 million.

Local service agreement fees associated with Nexstar relate to services provided by Nexstar in the production of newscasts, technical maintenance, promotional and administrative support under the SSAs. SSA fees were $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $7.2 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $0.5 million, or 7.6%. The increase was due to the SSA with Nexstar for WTVW entered into on December 1, 2011.
 
Amortization of intangible assets was $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $5.5 million for the same period in 2011, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 8.1%.  The decrease was due to incremental amortization recorded in 2011 on network affiliation agreement intangibles on the WTVW FOX affiliate station which terminated on June 30, 2011. Depreciation of property and equipment remained relatively consistent at $2.9 million and $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense was $15.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $14.7 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $0.4 million, or 2.4%. The increase was due to a $6.7 million borrowing on our revolving loan made on December 1, 2011 in connection with the acquisition of WTVW and $4.0 million borrowing on our revolving loan made on July 31, 2012 to partially finance the deposit to acquire the assets of two television stations from Newport.

Income Taxes
 
We recognized an income tax benefit of $40.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to income tax expense of $0.7 million for the same period in 2011, an increase in income tax benefit of $41.2 million. The increase in income tax benefit was due to the release of a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets for NOLs and other deferred tax assets partially offset by the tax provision for 2012.
 
Prior to 2012, our provision for income taxes was primarily created by an increase in the deferred tax liability position arising from the amortization of goodwill and FCC licenses for income tax purposes which are not amortized for financial reporting purposes. In the fourth quarter of 2012, we released our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets for NOLs and other deferred tax assets. Management’s assessment included consideration of all available positive and negative evidence including recent net operating loss utilization against our 2012 taxable income, cumulative pre-tax book income over the last three (3) years, historical operating results, projected future taxable income over the net operating loss carryforward period, the anticipated ability to sustain a level of earnings, a lower weighted average cost of debt and the continued renewal of network affiliation and retransmission consent agreements on favorable economic terms. Due to strong financial results and improved credit profile in recent years, we were able to obtain a lower interest rate on our refinanced senior secured credit facilities in the fourth quarter of 2012. In addition, we expanded our line of credit and borrowing capacity on favorable terms that significantly enhanced our ability to grow strategic market share through acquisition. During the first quarter of 2013, we completed the acquisition of two television stations in the Little Rock, Arkansas market and one television station in the Burlington, Vermont market. We also generated pre-tax income of $6.7 million from our 2012 operations. This expected level of earnings makes it more likely than not that a substantial portion of the Company’s deferred tax assets will be realized.

Based on the results of our in-depth assessment, management determined that it was more likely than not that the NOLs and other deferred tax assets were realizable based on all available positive and negative evidence. As a result, we decreased our valuation allowance by $43.0 million through income tax benefit in our 2012 Consolidated Statement of Operations.
 
 
26

 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

We are highly leveraged, which makes us vulnerable to changes in general economic conditions. Our ability to meet the future cash requirements described below depends on our 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 control. Our ability to meet future cash requirements is also dependent upon the local service agreements we have entered into with Nexstar. Under our local service agreements, Nexstar sells our advertising time and pays us a percentage of the amount collected. The payments we receive from Nexstar under the local service agreements are a significant component of our cash flows. On February 26, 2014, Nexstar represented to us that it will continue the various local service agreements under which it provides sales and other services to our television stations thereby providing financial support to enable us to continue to operate as a going concern. We believe that with Nexstar’s pledge to continue the local service agreements, our available cash, anticipated cash flow from operations and available borrowings under our senior secured credit facility should be sufficient to fund working capital, capital expenditure requirements, interest payments and scheduled debt principal payments for at least the next twelve months from December 31, 2013. In order to meet future cash needs we may, from time to time, borrow under our available credit facility. We will continue to evaluate the best use of our operating cash flow among capital expenditures, acquisitions and debt reduction.

On January 3, 2013, we borrowed $60.0 million in term loans under our senior secured credit facility to fund the acquisition of the assets of KLRT and KASN from Newport.

On June 28, 2013, we entered into an amendment to our senior secured credit facility. The amendment provided commitments for a Term Loan A Facility available to us 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 agreement. No borrowings were drawn under this facility as of December 31, 2013.

On October 1, 2013, we entered into an amendment of our senior secured credit facility. The amendment provided for a Term Loan B-2 of $125.0 million and amended revolving credit facility available to us of up to $30.0 million. The proceeds of the Term Loan B-2 were used to retire our outstanding obligations under the 8.875% Notes. On December 31, 2013, we began the scheduled quarterly repayments on the Term Loan B-2 of 0.25% of the aggregate principal. The remainder of the principal is due in full at maturity on October 1, 2020.

On December 9, 2013, we entered into an amendment to our senior secured credit facility. Under the terms of the amendment, we borrowed an additional $5.0 million Term Loan B-2. On the same date, we converted the $103.5 million total principal balance of Term Loan B, issued in December 2012 and January 2013, into Term Loan B-2. The refinanced term loans allow us favorable interest rates and extended debt maturity date.

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 4,428     $ 5,797     $ 1,551  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (56,593 )     (6,091 )     (7,221 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    55,563       (1,286 )     6,318  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,398     $ (1,580 )   $ 648  
Cash paid for interest
  $ 21,369     $ 14,137     $ 14,075  
Cash paid for taxes
    130       81       65  

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,716     $ 318  
Long-term debt including current portion (1) 
    232,465       362,861  
Unused Term Loan A Facility
    90,000       -  
Unused revolving loan commitments under senior secured credit facility
    35,000       35,000  
__________________________
(1)
We co-issued $325.0 million of 8.875% Notes in April 2010, of which we received $131.9 million of the net proceeds and $184.9 million was received by Nexstar. As of December 31, 2013, we and Nexstar fully repaid all the outstanding obligations under the 8.875% Notes. See Note 7 of our Financial Statements for additional information.
 
 
 
27

 
 
Cash Flows – Operating Activities
 
Net cash flows provided by operating activities decreased by $1.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. This was primarily due to the premium we paid to retire the 8.875% Notes of $11.8 million and an increase in cash paid for interest of $7.2 million. These were partially offset by an increase in net revenue of $16.5 million less an increase in corporate expenses, station direct operating expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses and fees incurred pursuant to local service agreements with Nexstar of $9.4 million and a $12.9 million source of cash from a decrease in net payments for amounts due to Nexstar.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities increased by $4.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. The increase was primarily due to the increase in net revenue of $5.2 million and decreased selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.8 million, which was partially offset by the timing of payments of amounts due to/from Nexstar of $2.6 million.
 
Cash Flows – Investing Activities
 
Net cash flows used in investing activities increased by $50.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. This was primarily due to our payments of $53.7 million to acquire the assets of KLRT and KASN from Newport, $5.6 million to acquire the assets of WVNY from Smith Media and a $0.2 million escrow payment in connection with the agreement to acquire the assets of two stations from Stainless. These payments were partially offset by an increase in proceeds from the sale of various equipment, furniture and fixtures and vehicles to Nexstar of $2.9 million.

Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2012 included a $6.0 million deposit for the acquisition of two television stations from Newport and purchases of property and equipment of $0.3 million. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2011 consisted of $0.5 million capital expenditures and $6.7 million payments for the acquisition of WTVW from Nexstar.

Cash Flows – Financing Activities
 
Net cash flows provided by financing activities were $55.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the net cash used in financing activities of $1.3 million for the same period in 2012. During 2013, we borrowed a total of $195.0 million under our senior secured credit facility to finance the acquisitions of KLRT, KASN and WVNY, to retire our obligations under the 8.875% Notes of $131.9 million and to repay our outstanding revolving loan of $5.0 million. In addition, we repaid scheduled maturities on our term loans of $1.1 million during 2013. As a result of the new loans we borrowed in 2013, our payments for debt financing costs increased by $1.3 million compared to the same period in 2012.
 
Net cash flows used in financing activities were $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to the net cash provided by financing activities of $6.3 million for the same period in 2011. During October and November 2012, we repaid all amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facilities which included the $6.7 million revolving loan obtained in December 1, 2011 to fund the acquisition of WTVW.

Our senior secured credit facility may limit the amount of dividends we may pay to shareholders.
 

 
28

 

Future Sources of Financing and Debt Service Requirements
 
As of December 31, 2013, we had debt of $232.5 million which represented 147.6% of our total capitalization. Our high level of debt requires that a substantial portion of cash flow be dedicated to pay principal and interest on our debt, which reduces the funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes.
 
The total amount of borrowings available to us under the revolving loan commitment of our senior credit facility is based on covenant calculations contained in Nexstar’s credit agreement. As of December 31, 2013, we have $30.0 million unused revolving loan commitment under our senior secured credit facility.

Our unused Term Loan A Facility of $90.0 million is expected to be utilized to fund our acquisition of stations from CCA and White Knight, which we project to close in the second quarter of 2014.

We also signed agreements to acquire two stations from Stainless, one station from Nexstar and one station from Excalibur. We will fund the remaining $15.1 million to Stainless, $15.3 million to Nexstar and $4.0 million to Excalibur, subject to adjustments for working capital, through cash generated from operations prior to closing and borrowings under our existing credit facility, which we project to occur in the second quarter of 2014.

The following table summarizes the approximate aggregate amount of principal indebtedness scheduled to mature for the periods referenced as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

   
Total
   
2014
      2015-2016       2017-2018    
Thereafter
 
Senior secured credit facility
  $ 232,896     $ 2,334     $ 4,670     $ 4,670     $ 221,222  

Interest payments on our senior secured credit facility are generally paid every one to three months and are payable based on the type of interest rate selected.
 
The terms of our senior secured credit facility limit, but do not prohibit, us 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 or obtain access to new credit facilities in the future and could increase the cost of such facilities.

Collateralization and Guarantees of Debt
 
Nexstar guarantees full payment of all obligations under our senior secured credit facility in the event of our default. Similarly, we are a guarantor of Nexstar’s 6.875% Notes and Nexstar’s senior secured credit facility. The senior secured credit facilities are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all the combined assets, excluding FCC licenses, of Nexstar and us. As of December 31, 2013, Nexstar had a maximum commitment of $483.1 million under its senior secured credit facility, of which $314.1 million of debt was outstanding and had $525.0 million of the 6.875% Notes outstanding.

Debt Covenants
 
Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on Nexstar’s pledge to continue the local service agreements described in a letter of support dated February 26, 2014. Our senior secured credit facility agreement 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. Nexstar’s senior secured credit facility agreement contains covenants which require Nexstar 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 and us. The 6.875% Notes contain restrictive covenants customary for borrowing arrangements of this type. As of December 31, 2013, Nexstar has informed us that it was in compliance with all covenants contained in the credit agreements governing our senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing the publicly-held notes. As of December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with all covenants related to the 6.875% Notes.

No Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of December 31, 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. We are, therefore, not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.
 
 
29

 
 
Contractual Obligations

The following summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2013, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods (in thousands):

   
Total
   
2014
      2015-2016       2017-2018    
Thereafter
 
Senior secured credit facility
  $ 232,896     $ 2,334     $ 4,670     $ 4,670     $ 221,222  
Cash interest on debt
    60,477       9,421       18,601       17,846       14,609  
Broadcast rights current cash commitments(1) 
    673       409       196       54       14  
Broadcast rights future cash commitments
    2,009       1,116       740       122       31  
Operating lease obligations
    22,114       1,771       3,695       3,875       12,773  
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 318,169     $ 15,051     $ 27,902     $ 26,567     $ 248,649  
_______________________________
(1)
Excludes broadcast rights barter payable commitments recorded on the Financial Statements at December 31, 2013 in the amount of $2.4 million.

As of December 31, 2013, we had $3.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits. This liability represents an estimate of tax positions that the Company has taken in its tax returns which may ultimately not be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. The resolution of these tax positions may not require cash settlement due to the existence of net operating loss carryforwards.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP which requires 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 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, retransmission revenue, broadcast rights, barter, income taxes and commitments and contingencies. 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.

For an overview of our significant accounting policies, we refer you to Note 2 to the Financial Statements in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We believe the following critical accounting policies are those that are the most important to the presentation of our Financial Statements, affect our more significant estimates and assumptions, and require the most subjective of complex judgments by management.

Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Intangible assets represented $98.1 million, or 56.1%, of our total assets as of December 31, 2013. Intangible assets principally include FCC licenses, goodwill and network affiliation agreements. If the fair value of these assets is less than the carrying value, we may be required to record an impairment charge.

We test the impairment of our FCC licenses annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of FCC licenses with their carrying amount on a market-by-market basis using a discounted cash flow valuation method, assuming a hypothetical startup scenario.

We test the impairment of our goodwill annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of the market (“reporting unit”) to its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is determined through the use of a discounted cash flow analysis. The valuation assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model reflect historical performance of the reporting unit and the prevailing values in the markets for broadcasters. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by performing an assumed purchase price allocation, using the reporting unit’s fair value (as determined in the first step described above) as the purchase price. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess but not more than the carrying value of goodwill.

We test network affiliation agreements whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable, relying on a number of factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. Impairment in the carrying amount of a network affiliation agreement is recognized when the expected future operating cash flow derived from the operations to which the asset relates is less than its carrying value.
 
 
30

 
 
We completed our annual test for impairment of goodwill and FCC licenses as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 which resulted in no impairment charges. In aggregate, excluding stations acquired in 2013, our fair values exceeded their book values by a margin of 534%.

The assumptions used in the valuation testing have certain subjective components including anticipated future operating results and cash flows based on our own internal business plans as well as future expectations about general economic and local market conditions.

We utilized the following assumptions in our impairment testing for the years ended December 31:
 
 
2013
2012
Market growth rates
(1.4) – 3.9%
0.2 – 2.3%
Operating profit margins – FCC licenses
12.5 – 26.0%
12.0 – 25.0%
Operating profit margins – goodwill
21.5 – 37.8%
21.0 – 32.9%
Discount rate
10.5%
10.0%
Tax rate
35.4 – 40.6%
35.3 – 40.6%
Capitalization rate
7.5 – 9.5%
7.3 – 8.0%

Broadcast Rights Carrying Amount

We record broadcast rights contracts as an asset and a liability when the license period has begun, the cost of each program is known or reasonably determinable, we have accepted the program material, and the program is available for broadcast. We consider programs that have been produced prior to our contract period to be available for broadcast, while programs that are produced throughout the contract period are recorded and amortized as they are aired. Broadcast rights are stated at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. Cash broadcast rights are initially recorded at the amount paid or payable to program distributors for the limited right to broadcast the distributors’ programming. Barter broadcast rights are recorded at our estimate of the fair value of the advertising time exchanged, which approximates the fair value of the programming received. The fair value of the advertising time exchanged is estimated by applying average historical rates for specific time periods. Amortization of broadcast rights is computed using the straight-line method based on the license period or programming usage, whichever period yields the shorter life. The current portion of broadcast rights represents those rights available for broadcast which will be amortized in the succeeding year. When projected future net revenue associated with a program is less than the current carrying amount of the program broadcast rights, for example, due to poor ratings, we amortize the broadcast rights to equal the amount of projected future net revenue. If the expected broadcast period was shortened or cancelled we would be required to write-off the remaining value of the related broadcast rights to operations on an accelerated basis or possibly immediately. As of December 31, 2013, the carrying amounts of our current broadcast rights were $1.4 million and non-current broadcast rights were $1.6 million.

Characterization of SSA Fees

We present the fees incurred pursuant to SSAs with Nexstar as an operating expense in our Financial Statements. Our decision to characterize the SSA fees in this manner is based on our conclusion that (a) the benefit our stations receive from these local service agreements is sufficiently separate from the consideration paid to us from Nexstar under JSAs, (b) we can reasonably estimate the fair values of the benefits our stations receive under the SSA agreements, and (c) the SSA fees we pay to Nexstar do not exceed the estimated fair values of the benefits our stations receive.

Retransmission Revenue

We earn revenues from local cable providers, DBS services and other MVPDs for the retransmission of our broadcasts. These revenues are generally earned based on a price per subscriber of the MVPD within the retransmission area. The MVPDs report their subscriber numbers to us periodically, generally upon payment of the fees due to us. Prior to receiving the MVPD reporting, we record revenue based on management’s estimate of the number of subscribers, utilizing historical levels and trends of subscribers for each MVPD.

Barter and Trade Transactions

We barter advertising time for certain program material. These transactions, except those involving exchange of advertising time for network programming, are recorded at management’s estimate of the fair value of the advertising time exchanged, which approximates the fair value of the program material received. The fair value of advertising time exchanged is estimated by applying average historical advertising rates for specific time periods. We trade certain advertising time for various goods and services, which are recorded at the estimated fair values of the goods or services received. We recorded both barter revenue and barter expense of $4.2 million, $2.9 million and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We recorded no trade revenue and expense during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and $0.2 million of trade revenues and expense during the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
 
31

 
 
Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is applied against net deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. While we have considered future taxable income in assessing the need for a valuation allowance, in the event that we were to determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be charged to income in the period such a determination was made. 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 by our principal shareholder could limit our ability to use our NOLs. Ownership changes are evaluated as they occur.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities. The determination is based on the technical merits of the position and presumes that each uncertain tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. We recognize interest and penalties relating to income taxes as components of income tax expense.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 2 of our Financial Statements in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements, including our expected date of adoption and effects on results of operations and financial position.

Item 7A.                      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 interest rate on the term loan borrowings under our senior secured credit facility was 3.75% as of December 31, 2013 and the interest rate on the revolver loans was 2.4%, which represented the base rate, or LIBOR, plus the applicable margin, as defined. Interest is payable in accordance with the credit agreement.

Including the impact of the LIBOR floor on our term loans, an increase in LIBOR of 100 basis points (one percentage point) from its December 31, 2013 level would increase our annual interest expense and decrease our cash flow from operations by $0.6 million, based on the outstanding balance of our credit facility as of December 31, 2013. An increase in LIBOR of 50 basis points (one-half of a percentage point) or a decrease in LIBOR by 100 or 50 basis points would not have any impact on our annual interest expense and our cash flow from operations. As of December 31, 2013, we have no financial instruments in place to hedge against changes in the benchmark interest rates on our senior credit facility.

Impact of Inflation

We believe that our results of operations are not affected by moderate changes in the inflation rate.

Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Our Financial Statements are filed with this report. The Financial Statements and supplementary data are included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our President and Treasurer (our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer), conducted an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act.
 
 
32

 
 
Based upon that evaluation, our President and Treasurer concluded that as of December 31, 2013, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act (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 our management, including our President and Treasurer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the quarterly period as of the end of the period covered by this report, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Management assesses the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 based upon the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (1992).

We have excluded KLRT, KASN and WVNY from our assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, because they were acquired in 2013. These acquired businesses represented collectively 6.0% of our total assets and 27.2% of our total net revenues as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Based on management’s assessment, we have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2013.

Item 9B.
Other Information

None.

 
33

 

PART III

Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers of the Registrant and Corporate Governance

The table below sets forth information about our Directors and executive officers:
 
Name
 
Age
 
Position With Company
Nancie J. Smith
    61  
Chairman of the Board and Secretary
Dennis Thatcher
    67  
President, Treasurer and Director

Nancie J. Smith has served as our Secretary since December 1997. Ms. Smith was elected as Chairman of the Board effective December 19, 2011. Ms. Smith performed roles similar to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer until Mr. Thatcher’s appointment as President and Treasurer became effective.

Ms. Smith’s qualifications for being a Director of the Company include her years of experience in the television broadcast industry.

Dennis Thatcher was appointed as President and Treasurer and elected to the Board of Directors effective December 19, 2011. Mr. Thatcher previously served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since October 2004. From November 2003 to March 2004, Mr. Thatcher served as Regional Market Manager for United Media Partners. From November 2002 to October 2003, Mr. Thatcher served as General Sales Manager of KZTV for Eagle Creek Broadcasting. From July 2000 to October 2002, Mr. Thatcher pursued personal interests. From April 1998 to June 2000, Mr. Thatcher served as Senior Vice President and Central Regional Manager for Paxson Communications.

Mr. Thatcher’s qualifications for being a Director of the Company include his years of experience in the television broadcast industry.

Code of Ethics

Our Board of Directors adopted a code of ethics that applies to our senior management and Board of Directors, including our Named Executive Officers. The purpose of the code of ethics is to promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships, to promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in periodic reports required to be filed by us, and to promote compliance with all applicable rules and regulations that apply to us and our officers and Directors. The code of ethics is filed hereby as Exhibit 14.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any amendments to or waivers from a provision of this code of ethics will be filed on a Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 11.
Executive Compensation

The Board of Directors has submitted the following report and has recommended that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth below be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 for filing with the SEC.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

On December 19, 2011, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Dennis Thatcher to serve as President of the Company. The agreement provides for $142,000 in annual compensation with 2% annual increases. The agreement has no fixed termination date. In the event of termination pursuant to a Consolidation, Merger or Comparable transaction, as defined in the agreement, Mr. Thatcher is eligible to receive his salary for a period of six months. Prior to December 19, 2011, Mr. Thatcher served as our Chief Operating Officer and was compensated based on his scope of responsibilities, taking into account competitive market compensation paid by other similarly situated companies for this position. Mr. Thatcher also serves as a Director.

On December 19, 2011, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Nancie J. Smith to serve as Chairman of the Board and Secretary of the Company. The agreement provides for $120,000 in annual compensation with 2% annual increases. The agreement has no fixed termination date. In the event of termination pursuant to a Consolidation, Merger or Comparable transaction, as defined in the agreement, Ms. Smith is eligible to receive her salary for a period of six months. During the interim period after the death of David S. Smith and prior to the execution of the agreement, Ms. Smith was employed by the Company as Vice President and Secretary and compensated at an annual salary of $120,000.
 


 
34

 
 
The following table sets forth the compensation earned or awarded for services rendered to the Company by our executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31.
 
Summary Compensation Table
 
Year
Salary
Bonus
Stock
Awards
Option
Awards
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
Change in
Pension Value
and
Non-Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
All Other
Compensation
Total
Dennis Thatcher
President, Treasurer and Director, former Executive Vice President and COO
2013
$145,155
$ — 
$ — 
$ — 
$ — 
$ — 
$ — 
$145,155
2012
142,309
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
142,309
2011
142,200
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
142,200
Nancie J. Smith
Chairman of the Board and Secretary, former Vice President
2013
122,500
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
122,500
2012
120,091
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
120,091
2011
73,845 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
73,845 
 
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

None.
 

 
35

 

Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The following table summarizes the various local service agreements Mission-owned stations had in effect with Nexstar as of December 31, 2013:
 
Station
Market
Type of
Agreement
Expiration
Consideration from/to Nexstar
WFXP
Erie, PA
TBA
8/16/16
Monthly payments received from Nexstar
         
KHMT
Billings, MT
TBA
12/13/17
Monthly payments received from Nexstar
         
KJTL/KJBO-LP
Wichita Falls, TX-Lawton, OK
SSA
5/31/19
$60 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
5/31/19
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
WYOU
Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA
SSA
1/4/18
$35 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
9/30/14
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
KODE
Joplin, MO-Pittsburg, KS
SSA
3/31/22
$75 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
9/30/14
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
KRBC
Abilene-Sweetwater, TX
SSA
6/12/23
$25 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
6/30/23
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
KSAN
San Angelo, TX
SSA
5/31/14
$10 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
5/31/14
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
WAWV
Terre Haute, IN
SSA
5/8/23
$10 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
5/8/23
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
KCIT/KCPN-LP
Amarillo, TX
SSA
4/30/19
$50 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
4/30/19
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
KAMC
Lubbock, TX
SSA
2/15/19
$75 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
2/15/19
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
KOLR
Springfield, MO
SSA
2/15/19
$150 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
2/15/19
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
WUTR
Utica, NY
SSA
3/31/14
$10 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
3/31/14
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
WTVO
Rockford, IL
SSA
10/31/14
$75 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
10/31/14
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
KTVE
Monroe, LA-El Dorado, AR
SSA
1/16/18
$20 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
1/16/18
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
WTVW
Evansville, IN
SSA
11/30/19
$50 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
11/30/19
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
KLRT/KASN
Little Rock-Pine Bluff, AR
SSA
1/1/21
$150 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
1/1/21
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
         
WVNY
Burlington-Plattsburgh, VT
SSA
3/1/21
$20 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
   
JSA
3/1/21
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
 
Under these agreements, we are responsible for certain operating expenses of our stations and therefore may have unlimited exposure to any potential operating losses. We will continue to operate our stations under the SSAs and JSAs or TBAs until the termination of such agreements. The SSAs and JSAs generally have a term of eight to ten years. Nexstar indemnifies us for Nexstar’s activities pursuant to the local service agreements.

For disclosure of the amounts of revenue associated with and the fees incurred by Mission pursuant to the local service agreements our stations have with Nexstar, we refer you to Note 4 to the Financial Statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
36

 

Option Agreements

In consideration of Nexstar’s guarantee of our indebtedness, Nexstar has options to purchase the assets of all of our stations. Additionally, on November 29, 2011, Mission’s shareholders granted Nexstar an option to purchase any or all of our stock 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. This stock purchase option expires on November 29, 2019.

The following table summarizes the station option agreements we have in effect with Nexstar as of December 31, 2013:
 
Station
Market
Affiliation
Date of
Execution
Expiration
Date
WFXP
Erie, PA
FOX
12/01/05
12/01/14
KTVE
Monroe, LA-El Dorado, AR
NBC
1/16/08
1/16/17
KCIT and KCPN-LP
Amarillo, TX
FOX/
MyNetworkTV
03/17/09
05/01/18
WYOU
Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA
CBS
05/19/98
05/19/18
KJTL and KJBO-LP
Wichita Falls, TX-Lawton, OK
FOX/
MyNetworkTV
06/01/99
06/01/18
KODE
Joplin, MO-Pittsburg, KS
ABC
04/24/02
04/24/21
KRBC
Abilene-Sweetwater, TX
NBC
06/13/03
05/09/22
KSAN
San Angelo, TX
NBC
 06/13/03
05/09/22
WAWV
Terre Haute, IN
ABC
05/09/03
05/09/22
KHMT
Billings, MT
FOX
12/30/03
12/31/22
KAMC
Lubbock, TX
ABC
12/30/03
12/31/22
KOLR
Springfield, MO
CBS
12/30/03
 12/31/22
WUTR
Utica, NY
ABC
04/01/04
03/31/23
WTVO
Rockford, IL
ABC/MyNetworkTV
11/01/04
10/31/24

Under the terms of these option agreements, Nexstar may exercise its option upon written notice to us. In each option agreement, the exercise price is 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. We may terminate each option agreement by written notice any time after the seventh anniversary date of the relevant option agreement. Nexstar’s acquisition of any station or our stock pursuant to an exercise of the applicable option is subject to prior FCC approval.

Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services

We retained PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to audit the Financial Statements of Mission Broadcasting, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and review the Financial Statements included in each of its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q during such years and for tax compliance matters. The aggregate fees for professional services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 for these various services were:
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Audit Fees (1)
  $ 210,000     $ 200,000  
Audit Related Fees (2)
           
Tax Fees (3)
    66,000       59,000  
All Other Fees (4)
           
Total
  $ 276,000     $ 259,000  
_____________________________ 
(1)
“Audit Fees” are fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for professional services for the audit of the Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and review of Financial Statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, or for services that are normally provided by the auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(2)
“Audit Related Fees” are fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our Financial Statements.
(3)
“Tax Fees” are fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(4)
“All Other Fees” are fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for any services not included in the first three categories.

 
37

 

PART IV
 
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
(a) Documents filed as part of this report:
 
 
(1) Financial Statements. The Financial Statements of Mission Broadcasting, Inc. listed on the index on page F-1 have been included beginning on page F-3 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
 
 
(2) Financial Statement Schedules. The schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts appears in Note 13 to the Financial Statements filed as a part of this report.
 
 
(3) Exhibits. The exhibits filed in response to Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed in the Exhibit Index beginning on page E-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 

 
38

 


 
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.
 
 
  Mission Broadcasting, Inc.
     
     
  By: /s/ Dennis Thatcher                
    Dennis Thatcher
    President and Treasurer
    (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
     
 
Dated: March 18, 2014
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 18, 2014.
 
 
 

 
  /s/ Nancie J. Smith    
  Nancie J. Smith    
  Chairman of the Board    
 
 

 
/s/ Dennis Thatcher
   
 
Dennis Thatcher
   
 
President, Treasurer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer and
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
   
 

 
39

 

MISSION BROADCASTING, INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 F-2
   
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012
 F-3
   
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011
 F-4
   
Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit for the three years ended December 31, 2013
 F-5
   
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011
 F-6
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 F-7

 

 
F-1

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders of Mission Broadcasting, Inc.:

In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and the related statements of operations, of shareholders’ deficit and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (the “Company”) at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

The Company has a significant relationship with Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. that is discussed in Notes 1, 2, 4, 7 and 11 to the financial statements.



/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Dallas, Texas
March 18, 2014

 

 
F-2

 

MISSION BROADCASTING, INC.
 
BALANCE SHEETS
 
(in thousands, except share information)
 
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
ASSETS
 
 
       
Current assets:
 
 
       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,716     $ 318  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $96 and $30, respectively
    5,059       3,610  
Current portion of broadcast rights
    1,390       962  
Due from Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
    -       512  
Deferred tax assets
    8,160       933  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    231       122  
Total current assets
    18,556       6,457  
Property and equipment, net
    26,760       21,518  
Goodwill
    32,489       18,730  
FCC licenses
    41,563       21,939  
Other intangible assets, net
    24,038       10,195  
Deferred tax assets
    25,727       30,416  
Deposits on station acquisitions
    150       6,000  
Other noncurrent assets, net
    5,466       4,126  
Total assets
  $ 174,749     $ 119,381  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
               
                 
Current portion of debt
  $ 2,334     $ 330  
Current portion of broadcast rights payable
    1,454       1,261  
Due to Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
    3,847       -  
Accounts payable
    723       364  
Accrued expenses
    2,345       1,274  
Interest payable (Note 7)
    27       6,268  
Other current liabilities
    401       296  
Total current liabilities
    11,131       9,793  
Debt (Note 7)
    230,131       362,531  
Other liabilities
    8,080       7,828  
Total liabilities
    249,342       380,152  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Shareholders' deficit:
               
Common stock - $1.00 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of each of December 31, 2013 and 2012
    1       1  
Subscription receivable
    (1 )     (1 )
Contra equity due from Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. on debt issuance (Note 7)
    -       (189,924 )
Accumulated deficit
    (74,593 )     (70,847 )
Total shareholders' deficit
    (74,593 )     (260,771 )
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit
  $ 174,749     $ 119,381  

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

 

 
F-3

 

MISSION BROADCASTING, INC.
 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
(in thousands)
 
                   
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
                   
Net broadcast revenue
  $ 28,971     $ 18,610     $ 18,933  
Revenue from Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
    39,513       33,352       27,800  
Net revenue
    68,484       51,962       46,733  
Operating expenses (income):
                       
Direct operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    14,550       7,320       7,797  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    3,058       2,887       4,507  
Fees incurred pursuant to local service agreements with Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
    9,740       7,740       7,190  
Amortization of broadcast rights
    6,034       4,239       4,646  
Amortization of intangible assets
    6,762       5,081       5,531  
Depreciation
    3,535       2,853       3,143  
Loss (gain) on asset disposal, net
    177       (155 )     190  
Total operating expenses
    43,856       29,965       33,004  
Income from operations
    24,628       21,997       13,729  
Interest expense, net
    (16,181 )     (15,037 )     (14,681 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    (14,332 )     (233 )     -  
Other expense
    (302 )     -       -  
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (6,187 )     6,727       (952 )
Income tax benefit (expense)
    2,441       40,515       (749 )
Net (loss) income
  $ (3,746 )   $ 47,242     $ (1,701 )

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

 

 
F-4

 

MISSION BROADCASTING, INC.
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
 
For the Three Years Ended December 31, 2013
 
(in thousands, except share information)
 
                                     
                   
Contra Equity
             
                   
Due from
             
                   
Nexstar
             
                   
Broadcasting,
             
                 
Inc. on
       
Total
 
   
Common Stock
 
Subscription
 
Debt
 
Accumulated
 
Shareholders'
 
   
Shares
 
Amount
 
Receivable
 
Issuance
 
Deficit
 
Deficit
 
Balances as of December 31, 2010
    1,000     $ 1     $ (1 )   $ (188,790 )   $ (91,024 )   $ (279,814 )
Discount accretion on 8.875% senior secured second lien notes, Nexstar portion (Note 7)
    -       -       -       (540 )     -       (540 )
Excess of purchase price paid over the carrying value of net assets acquired (Note 3)
    -       -       -       -       (5,125 )     (5,125 )
Net assets remaining with Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. upon change in reporting entity (Note 3)
    -       -       -       -       (20,239 )     (20,239 )
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       (1,701 )     (1,701 )
Balances as of December 31, 2011
    1,000       1       (1 )     (189,330 )     (118,089 )     (307,419 )
Discount accretion on 8.875% senior secured second lien notes, Nexstar portion (Note 7)
    -       -       -       (594 )     -       (594 )
Net income
    -       -       -       -       47,242       47,242  
Balances as of December 31, 2012
    1,000       1       (1 )     (189,924 )     (70,847 )     (260,771 )
Discount accretion on 8.875% senior secured second lien notes, Nexstar portion (Note 7)
    -       -       -       (488 )     -       (488 )
Repurchase of the 8.875% senior second lien notes, Nexstar portion (Note 7)
    -       -       -       186,905       -       186,905  
Nexstar interest payments on 8.875% senior secured second lien notes, net of Nexstar interest accrual (Note 7)
    -       -       -       3,507       -       3,507  
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       (3,746 )     (3,746 )
Balances as of December 31, 2013
    1,000     $ 1     $ (1 )   $ -     $ (74,593 )   $ (74,593 )

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

 

 
F-5

 
MISSION BROADCASTING, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                 
Net (loss) income
  $ (3,746 )   $ 47,242     $ (1,701 )
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
    (2,538     (40,621     673  
Deferred income taxes
                       
Provision for bad debts
    84       2       153  
Depreciation of property and equipment
    3,535       2,853       3,143  
Amortization of intangible assets
    6,762       5,081       5,531  
Amortization of debt financing costs
    527       229       214  
Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter
    1,806       1,374       1,541  
Payments for broadcast rights
    (2,230 )     (1,680 )     (1,815 )
Loss (gain) on asset disposal, net
    177       (155 )     190  
Deferred gain recognition
    (199 )     (198 )     (198 )
Premium on debt extinguishment
    (11,827 )     -       -  
Issue discount paid upon debt extinguishment
    (3,397 )     -       -  
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    14,332       233       -  
Amortization of debt discount
    416       425       386  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
                       
Accounts receivable
    (1,520 )     (1,101 )     (600 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (30 )     (64 )     59  
Other noncurrent assets
    (58 )     -       (17 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    1,063       529       43  
Interest payable
    (2,734 )     246       7  
Deferred revenue
    (122 )     (234 )     (304 )
Other noncurrent liabilities
    (232 )     133       111  
Due to Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
    4,359       (8,497 )     (5,865 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    4,428       5,797       1,551  
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Purchases of property and equipment
    (165 )     (287 )     (541 )
Deposits and payments for acquisitions
    (59,508 )     (6,000 )     (6,700 )
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment
    3,080       196       20  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (56,593 )     (6,091 )     (7,221 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
    195,000       48,000       6,700  
Repayments of long-term debt
    (138,010 )     (49,115 )     (390 )
Payments for (refunds of) debt financing costs
    (1,427 )     (171 )     8  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    55,563       (1,286 )     6,318  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    3,398       (1,580 )     648  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    318       1,898       1,250  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 3,716     $ 318     $ 1,898  
 
Supplemental information:
                       
Interest paid
  $ 21,369     $ 14,137     $ 14,075  
Income taxes paid, net
  $ 130     $ 81     $ 65  
Non-cash investing activities:
                       
Accrued purchases of property and equipment
  $ -     $ 2     $ 17  
Accrued debt financing costs
  $ 72     $ 114     $ -  

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

 

 
F-6

 

MISSION BROADCASTING, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization and Business Operations

As of December 31, 2013, Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (“Mission” or the “Company”) owned and operated 20 television stations and 4 digital multicast channels, affiliated with the NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, MyNetworkTV, Bounce TV or the CW television networks, in markets located in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Vermont, Arkansas and Montana. The Company operates in one reportable television broadcasting segment. Through local service agreements, Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (“Nexstar”) provides sales and operating services to all of the Mission television stations (see Notes 2 and 4).

The Company is highly leveraged, which makes it vulnerable to changes in general economic conditions. The Company’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 its control, as well as Nexstar maintaining its pledge to continue the local service agreements with the Company’s stations. Management believes that with Nexstar’s pledge to continue the local service agreements, as described in a letter of support dated February 26, 2014, the Company’s available cash, anticipated cash flow from operations and available borrowings under its senior secured credit facility should be sufficient to fund working capital, capital expenditure requirements, interest payments and scheduled debt principal payments for at least the next twelve months from December 31, 2013, enabling Mission to continue to operate as a going concern.
 
Nexstar’s senior secured credit facility agreement contains covenants which require Nexstar to comply with certain financial ratios, including (a) maximum consolidated total leverage ratios, (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 and the Company. The Company’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. As of December 31, 2013, Nexstar has informed Mission that it was in compliance with all covenants contained in its credit agreement governing the senior secured credit facility.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Local Service Agreements and Purchase Options

The following table summarizes the various local service agreements Mission’s stations had in effect as of December 31, 2013 with Nexstar:
 
Service
Agreements
Stations
TBA Only (1)
WFXP and KHMT
SSA & JSA (2)
KJTL, KJBO-LP, KLRT, KASN, KOLR, KCIT, KCPN-LP, KAMC, KRBC, KSAN, WUTR, WAWV, WYOU, KODE, WTVO, KTVE, WTVW and WVNY
_________________________________ 
(1)
Mission has a time brokerage agreement (“TBA”) for 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, based on the station’s monthly operating expenses.
(2)
Mission has both a shared services agreement (“SSA”) and a joint sales agreement (“JSA”) for 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 the net revenue, as described in the JSAs.
 
Under these agreements, Mission is responsible for certain operating expenses of its stations and therefore may have unlimited exposure to any potential operating losses. Mission will continue to operate its stations under the SSAs and JSAs or TBAs until the termination of such agreements. The SSAs and JSAs generally have terms of eight to ten years. Nexstar indemnifies Mission from Nexstar’s activities pursuant to the local service agreements. In compliance with Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) regulations for both Nexstar and Mission, Mission maintains complete responsibility for and control over programming, finances, personnel and operation of its stations.

Under the local service agreements, Nexstar has received substantially all of Mission’s available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations. Mission anticipates that Nexstar will continue to receive substantially all of Mission’s available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations.

 
F-7

 
 
Mission has granted Nexstar purchase options to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission station, subject to FCC consent, 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. Cash flow is defined as income or loss from operations, plus depreciation and amortization (including amortization of broadcast rights), interest income, non-cash trade and barter expenses, nonrecurring expenses (including time brokerage agreement fees), network compensation payments received or receivable and corporate management fees, less payments for broadcast rights, non-cash trade and barter revenue and network compensation revenue. Additionally, on November 29, 2011, Mission’s shareholders granted Nexstar an option to purchase any or all of the Company’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 2014 and 2024) 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.  

Nexstar is deemed under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) to have a controlling financial interest in Mission as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for financial reporting purposes as a result 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 (see Note 7), (3) Nexstar having power over significant activities affecting Mission’s economic performance, including budgeting for advertising revenue, advertising and hiring and firing of sales force personnel and (4) the purchase options Mission has granted to Nexstar. Nexstar consolidates the financial accounts of Mission into its financial results.

Characterization of SSA Fees

The Company presents the fees incurred pursuant to SSAs with Nexstar as an operating expense in the Company’s Statements of Operations. The Company’s decision to characterize the SSA fees in this manner is based on management’s conclusion that (1) the benefit the Company’s stations receive from these local service agreements is sufficiently separate from the consideration paid to the Company from Nexstar under JSAs, (2) management can reasonably estimate the fair value of the benefit our stations receive under the SSA agreements, and (3) the SSA fees the Company pays to Nexstar do not exceed the estimated fair value of the benefits the Company’s stations receive.

Basis of Presentation

Certain prior year financial statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and use assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure for contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant estimates made by management include those relating to the valuation of property and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill from business combinations, allowance for doubtful accounts, retransmission revenue, barter transactions, income taxes, the recoverability of broadcast rights, the carrying amounts, recoverability, and useful lives of tangible and intangible assets and the fair values of non-monetary asset exchanges. Actual results may vary from estimates used.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of ninety days or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company’s accounts receivable consist primarily of billings to cable and satellite carriers for compensation associated with retransmission consent agreements. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts when necessary for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Management evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors, including customer payment history, known customer circumstances, as well as the overall aging of customer balances and trends. In circumstances where management is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, an allowance is recorded to reduce the receivable amount to an amount estimated to be collected.


 
 

 
 
F-8

 


Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially expose the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Cash deposits are maintained with several financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits; however, the Company believes these deposits are maintained with financial institutions of reputable credit and are not subject to any unusual credit risk. A significant portion of the Company’s accounts receivable is due from cable and satellite carriers. The Company does not require collateral from its customers, but maintains reserves for potential credit losses. Management believes that the allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate, but if the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, additional allowances may be required. The Company has not experienced significant losses related to receivables from individual customers or by geographical area.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenue is primarily derived from the sale of television advertising by Nexstar under JSAs, retransmission compensation, network compensation and other broadcast related revenues:

 
 
Revenue from Nexstar, representing a percentage of net advertising revenue derived from the sale of commercials on the Company’s stations, is recognized in the period during which the spots are broadcast.
 
 
Retransmission compensation is recognized based on the estimated number of subscribers over the contract period, based on historical levels and trends for individual providers.
 
 
Network compensation is either recognized when the Company’s station broadcasts specific network programming based upon a negotiated hourly-rate, or on a straight-line basis based upon the total negotiated compensation to be received by the Company over the term of the agreement. Some of our network agreements included payments received at the beginning of the contract, which are recorded as deferred revenue until earned.
 
 
Other revenues, which include tower rent revenue, are recognized in the period during which the services are provided.

The Company barters advertising time for certain program material. These transactions, except those involving exchange of advertising time for network programming, are recorded at management’s estimate of the fair value of the advertising time exchanged, which approximates the fair value of the program material received. The fair value of advertising time exchanged is estimated by applying average historical advertising rates for specific time periods. Revenue from barter transactions is recognized as the related advertising spots are broadcast. Barter expense is recognized at the time program broadcast rights assets are used. The Company recorded $4.2 million, $2.9 million and $3.1 million of barter revenue and expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Barter expense was included in amortization of broadcast rights in the Company’s Statements of Operations.

The Company trades certain advertising time for various goods and services. These transactions are recorded at the estimated fair value of the goods or services received. Revenue from trade transactions is recognized when the related advertisement spots are broadcast. Trade expense is recognized when services or merchandise received are used. The Company recorded no trade revenues and expense during each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and $0.2 million of trade revenues and expense during the year ended December 31, 2011. Trade expense was included in direct operating expenses in the Company’s Statements of Operations.


 
 

 
F-9

 

Broadcast Rights and Broadcast Rights Payable

The Company records rights to programs, primarily in the form of syndicated programs and feature movie packages obtained under license agreements for the limited right to broadcast the suppliers’ programming when the following criteria are met: (1) the cost of each program is known or reasonably determinable, (2) the license period has begun, (3) the program material has been accepted in accordance with the license agreement, and (4) the programming is available for use. Programs that have been produced prior to our contract period are considered available for broadcast, while programs that are produced throughout the contract are recorded and amortized as they are aired. Broadcast rights are initially recorded at the amount paid or payable to program suppliers; or, in the case of barter transactions, at management’s estimate of the fair value of the advertising time exchanged using historical advertising rates, which approximates the fair value of the program material received. Broadcast rights are stated at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. The current portion of broadcast rights represents those rights available for broadcast which will be amortized in the succeeding year. Amortization of broadcast rights is computed using the straight-line method based on the license period or programming usage, whichever period yields the shorter life. Broadcast rights liabilities are reduced by monthly payments to program suppliers; or, in the case of barter transactions, are amortized over the life of the associated programming license contract as a component of barter revenue. When projected future net revenue associated with a program is less than the current carrying amount of the program broadcast rights, for example, due to poor ratings, the Company records amortization of the broadcast rights such that they equal the amount of projected future net revenue. If the expected broadcast period is shortened or cancelled, the Company would be required to amortize the remaining value of the related broadcast rights on an accelerated basis.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost or estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The cost and related accumulated depreciation applicable to assets sold or retired are removed from the accounts and the gain or loss on disposition is recognized. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized and ordinary repairs and maintenance are charged to expense in the period incurred. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (see Note 5).

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist primarily of goodwill, representing the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the fair values of net assets acquired on the acquisition date, and broadcast licenses (“FCC licenses”) and network affiliation agreements, recorded at estimated fair value at the date of acquisition using a discounted cash flow method. The Company’s goodwill and FCC licenses are considered to be indefinite-lived intangible assets and are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. The use of an indefinite life for FCC licenses contemplates the Company’s historical ability to renew its licenses, that such renewals generally may be obtained indefinitely and at little cost and that the technology used in broadcasting is not expected to be replaced in the foreseeable future. Therefore, cash flows derived from the FCC licenses are expected to continue indefinitely. Network affiliation agreements are subject to amortization computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 15 years. The 15 year life assumes affiliation contracts will be renewed upon expiration. Changes in the likelihood of renewal could require a change in the useful life of such assets and cause an acceleration of amortization. The Company evaluates the remaining lives of its network affiliations whenever changes occur in the likelihood of affiliation contract renewals, and at least on an annual basis.

The Company aggregates its stations by market (“reporting unit”) for purposes of goodwill and FCC license impairment testing because management views, manages and evaluates its stations on a market basis. The impairment test for FCC licenses consists of a market-by-market comparison of the carrying amount of FCC licenses with their fair value, using a discounted cash flow analysis. The impairment test for goodwill utilizes a two-step fair value approach. The first step of the goodwill impairment test is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. The fair value of a reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by performing an assumed purchase price allocation, using the reporting unit fair value (as determined in Step 1) as the purchase price. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Determining the fair value of reporting units requires management to make a number of judgments about assumptions and estimates that are highly subjective and that are based on unobservable inputs. The actual results may differ from these assumptions and estimates; and it is possible that such differences could have a material impact on the Company’s Financial Statements. In addition to the various inputs (i.e. market growth, operating profit margins, discount rates) used to calculate the fair value of FCC licenses and reporting units, the Company evaluates the reasonableness of its assumptions by comparing the fair values of its reporting units and FCC licenses to recent market television station sale transactions.
 

 
F-10

 
 
The Company tests network affiliation agreements for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable, relying on a number of factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. An impairment in the carrying amount of a network affiliation agreement is recognized when the expected future operating cash flow derived from the operation to which the asset relates is less than its carrying value. The impairment test for network affiliation agreements consists of a station-by-station comparison of the carrying amount of network affiliation agreements with their fair value, using a discounted cash flow analysis.

Debt Financing Costs

Debt financing costs represent direct costs incurred to obtain long-term financing and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method. Previously capitalized debt financing costs are expensed and included in loss on extinguishment of debt if the Company determines that there has been a substantial modification of the related debt. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, debt financing costs of $3.8 million and $3.5 million, respectively, were included in other noncurrent assets.

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Comprehensive (loss) income includes net (loss) income and certain items that are excluded from net (loss) income and recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ deficit. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company had no items of other comprehensive (loss) income and, therefore, comprehensive (loss) income does not differ from reported net (loss) income.

Financial Instruments

The Company utilizes the following categories to classify the valuation methodologies for fair values of financial assets and liabilities:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
 
 
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, broadcast rights payable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. See Note 7 for fair value disclosures related to the Company’s debt.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is applied against net deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities. The determination is based on the technical merits of the position and presumes that each uncertain tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The Company recognizes interest and penalties relating to income taxes within income tax expense.

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.

 
F-11

 
 
3. Acquisition

Signed Purchase Agreements

Excalibur

On December 18, 2013, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the outstanding equity of KFQX, the FOX affiliate, in the Grand Junction, Colorado market, for $4.0 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital, from Excalibur Broadcasting, LLC. The acquisition will allow the Company entrance into this market. The purchase price is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to closing and borrowings under the Company’s existing credit facility. The acquisition is subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and the Company projects it to close in the second quarter of 2014.

Grant

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. Simultaneous with this agreement, Nexstar entered into a purchase agreement with Mission pursuant to which Mission will acquire one of Grant’s stations, KLJB, the FOX affiliate, in the Quad Cities, Iowa market, from Nexstar for $15.3 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital. Upon consummation of the acquisition, the Company will also enter into local service agreements with Nexstar. The purchase price is expected to be funded by Mission through cash generated from operations prior to closing and borrowings under its existing credit facility. The acquisition is subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and the Company is projecting it to close in the second quarter of 2014.

Stainless

On September 13, 2013, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WICZ, the FOX affiliate, and WBPN-LP, the MyNetworkTV affiliate, both in the Binghamton, New York market, from Stainless Broadcasting, L.P. The acquisition will allow the Company entrance into this market. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the Company will acquire the assets of WICZ and WBPN-LP for $15.3 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital. A deposit of $0.2 million was paid upon signing the agreement. The remaining purchase price is expected to be funded by the Company 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 second quarter of 2014.

CCA/White Knight

On April 24, 2013, the Company and Nexstar 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. Pursuant to the stock purchase agreement, Mission agreed to purchase all the outstanding equity of White Knight and Nexstar has agreed to purchase all the outstanding equity of CCA. Mission will acquire 7 television stations and will enter into local service agreements with Nexstar. Nexstar will acquire 10 television stations and Rocky Creek Communications, Inc. (“Rocky Creek”), an independent third party, will acquire 2 television stations. These acquisitions will allow the Company entrance into three new markets. The Company and Nexstar expect to finance the purchase price through cash on hand, cash generated from operations prior to closing, borrowings under their existing credit facilities and future credit market transactions. The acquisitions are subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and the Company, Nexstar and Rocky Creek project them to close in the second quarter of 2014.


 
 

 
F-12

 
 
Completed Acquisitions

WVNY

On March 1, 2013, the Company acquired the assets of WVNY, the ABC affiliate, in the Burlington-Plattsburgh, Vermont market from Smith Media, LLC (“Smith Media”) for $5.7 million in cash, funded by a combination of the Company’s $5.0 million borrowings from its revolving credit facility (See Note 6) and cash on hand. This acquisition allows the Company entrance into this market. No significant transaction costs were incurred in connection with this acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2013.

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

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  $ 23  
Property and equipment
    717  
FCC licenses
    2,797  
Network affiliation agreements
    1,060  
Other intangible assets
    32  
Goodwill
    1,032  
Net assets acquired
  $ 5,661  

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.

WVNY’s net revenue of $2.9 million and net income of $1.5 million from the date of acquisition to December 31, 2013 have been included in the accompanying Condensed Statements of Operations.

KLRT/KASN

Effective January 1, 2013, Mission acquired the assets of KLRT, the FOX affiliate, and KASN, the CW affiliate, both in the Little Rock, Arkansas market, from 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 7). This acquisition allows Mission entrance into this market.

The 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
    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/KASN’s net revenue of $20.4 million and net income of $9.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 have been included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred total transaction costs of $0.1 million, including legal and professional fees, with respect to the above acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the transaction costs relating to the KLRT/KASN acquisition, including legal and professional of $0.1 million, were expensed as incurred during the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
 
 
 

 
F-13

 
 
WTVW

    On December 1, 2011, the Company acquired the FCC license, the broadcast rights and related liabilities and certain transmission equipment of WTVW, an independent station serving the Evansville, Indiana market, from Nexstar for $6.7 million in cash, funded with borrowings from its senior secured credit agreement. Additionally, on December 1, 2011, the Company entered into local service agreements with Nexstar for WTVW, similar to the Company’s other local service arrangements with Nexstar. This acquisition allows the Company entrance into this market.
 
    As Nexstar is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in Mission under U.S. GAAP, as discussed in Note 2, the acquisition was accounted for as a change in reporting entity. The Company’s Financial Statements were retrospectively adjusted to include the results of WTVW as if it was owned and operated by Mission as of the earliest period presented and acquired amounts were recorded at the historical carrying values of Nexstar.
 
    The $6.7 million purchase price of WTVW was negotiated between Nexstar and Mission using recent appraisals of fair value of the net assets acquired and exceeded the carrying values of such net assets by $5.1 million. This excess of the purchase price over carrying value of the net assets was accounted for as an increase in shareholders’ deficit. The retrospectively adjusted historical Financial Statements include all of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of WTVW as originally recorded by Nexstar in those periods. However, only certain assets and liabilities were acquired by the Company. Accordingly, the net assets that were not transferred to the Company in the acquisition have been eliminated from the financial statements, resulting in an increase in shareholders’ deficit of $20.2 million on December 1, 2011.
 
    As of December 1, 2011, the assets and liabilities of WTVW acquired were recorded as follows:  FCC licenses of $1.2 million, broadcast rights of $1.1 million, broadcast rights payables of $1.1 million and property and equipment of $1.1 million.

Unaudited Pro Forma Information
 
    The WVNY and WTVW acquisitions are immaterial, both individually and in aggregate. Therefore pro forma information has not been provided for these acquisitions.
   
    The following unaudited pro forma information has been presented as if the acquisition of KLRT and KASN from Newport had occurred on January 1, 2012, for the year ended December 31 (in thousands):


   
Unaudited
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Net revenue
  $ 68,484     $ 69,343  
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (5,924 )     7,659  
Net (loss) income
    (3,584 )     47,809  

The above selected unaudited pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations in future periods or results that would have been achieved had the Company owned the acquired stations during the specified period.


 
 

 
F-14

 


4. Local Service Agreements with Nexstar

The Company has entered into local service agreements with Nexstar to provide sales and/or operating services to all of its stations. For the stations with a shared services agreement (“SSA”), the Nexstar station in the market provides certain services including news production, technical maintenance and security, in exchange for monthly payments to Nexstar. For each station that the Company has entered into an SSA, it has also entered into a joint sales agreement (“JSA”), whereby Nexstar sells the advertising time of the station and retains a percentage of the net revenue it generates in return for monthly payments to Mission of the remaining percentage of net revenue. For the stations with a time brokerage agreement (“TBA”), Nexstar programs most of the station’s broadcast time, sells the station’s advertising time and retains the advertising revenue it generates in exchange for monthly payments to Mission, based on the station’s monthly operating expenses. JSA and TBA fees generated from Nexstar under the agreements are reported as “Revenue from Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.”, and SSA fees incurred by Mission under the agreements are reported as “Fees incurred pursuant to local service agreements with Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.” in the accompanying Statements of Operations.

Under these agreements, Mission is responsible for certain operating expenses of its stations and therefore may have unlimited exposure to any potential operating losses. Mission will continue to operate its stations under the SSAs and JSAs or TBAs until the termination of such agreements. The SSAs and JSAs generally have a term of eight to ten years. Nexstar indemnifies Mission from Nexstar’s activities pursuant to the local service agreements to which Nexstar is a party.

Under the local service agreements, Nexstar receives substantially all of the Company’s available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations. The Company anticipates that Nexstar will continue to receive substantially all of its available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations. In compliance with FCC regulations for both the Company and Nexstar, Mission maintains complete responsibility for and control over programming, finances, personnel and operations of its stations. The Company had the following local service agreements in effect with Nexstar as of December 31, 2013:
 
Station
 
Market
 
Type of Agreement
 
Expiration
 
Consideration from Nexstar
WFXP
 
Erie, PA
 
TBA
 
8/16/16
 
Monthly payments received from Nexstar
                 
KHMT
 
Billings, MT
 
TBA
 
12/13/17
 
Monthly payments received from Nexstar
                 
KJTL/KJBO-LP
 
Wichita Falls, TX-Lawton, OK
 
SSA
 
5/31/19
 
$60 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
5/31/19
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
WYOU
 
Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA
 
SSA
 
1/4/18
 
$35 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
9/30/14
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
KODE
 
Joplin, MO-Pittsburg, KS
 
SSA
 
3/31/22
 
$75 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
9/30/14
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
KRBC
 
Abilene-Sweetwater, TX
 
SSA
 
6/12/23
 
$25 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
6/30/23
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
KSAN
 
San Angelo, TX
 
SSA
 
5/31/14
 
$10 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
5/31/14
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
WAWV
 
Terre Haute, IN
 
SSA
 
5/8/23
 
$10 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
5/8/23
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
KCIT/KCPN-LP
 
Amarillo, TX
 
SSA
 
4/30/19
 
$50 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
4/30/19
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
KAMC
 
Lubbock, TX
 
SSA
 
2/15/19
 
$75 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
2/15/19
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
KOLR
 
Springfield, MO
 
SSA
 
2/15/19
 
$150 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
2/15/19
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
WUTR
 
Utica, NY
 
SSA
 
3/31/14
 
$10 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
3/31/14
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
WTVO
 
Rockford, IL
 
SSA
 
10/31/14
 
$75 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
10/31/14
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
KTVE
 
Monroe, LA-El Dorado, AR
 
SSA
 
1/16/18
 
$20 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
1/16/18
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
WTVW
 
Evansville, IN
 
SSA
 
11/30/19
 
$50 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
11/30/19
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
KLRT/KASN
 
Little Rock-Pine Bluff, AR
 
SSA
 
1/1/21
 
$150 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
1/1/21
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
                 
WVNY
 
Burlington-Plattsburgh, VT
 
SSA
 
3/1/21
 
$20 thousand per month paid to Nexstar
       
JSA
 
3/1/21
 
70% of net revenue received from Nexstar
 
5. Property and Equipment, net
 
Property and equipment consisted of the following, as of December 31 (dollars in thousands):

   
Estimated
             
   
useful life,
             
   
in years
   
2013
   
2012
 
Buildings and building improvements
    39     $ 8,016     $ 7,798  
Land
    N/A       1,688       1,442  
Leasehold improvements
 
term of lease
      70       70  
Studio and transmission equipment
    5-15       43,566       37,416  
Office equipment and furniture
    3-7       1,504       1,299  
Vehicles
    5       851       778  
Construction in progress
    N/A       -       4  
              55,695       48,807  
Less: accumulated depreciation
            (28,935 )     (27,289 )
Property and equipment, net
          $ 26,760     $ 21,518  

In 2001, the Company sold certain of its telecommunications tower facilities for cash and entered into noncancellable operating leases with the buyer for tower space. In connection with this transaction, a gain on the sale was deferred and is being recognized over the lease term which expires in May 2021. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the deferred gain was $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, including $0.2 million in current liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

In 2013, the Company sold certain of its studio equipment, computers, furniture and fixtures and vehicles to Nexstar for $2.9 million in cash. No gain or loss was recognized by the Company in connection with this transaction.
 
 
 

 
F-15

 

6. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following, as of December 31 (dollars in thousands):

   
Estimated
 
2013
 
2012
 
   
useful life,
       
Accumulated
             
Accumulated
       
   
in years
 
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
 
                                           
Network affiliation agreements
    15     $ 84,505     $ (61,716 )   $ 22,789     $ 66,443     $ (57,032 )   $ 9,411  
Other definite-lived intangible assets
    1-15       15,661       (14,412 )     1,249       13,118       (12,334 )     784  
Other intangible assets
          $ 100,166     $ (76,128 )   $ 24,038     $ 79,561     $ (69,366 )   $ 10,195  

The estimated useful life of network affiliation agreements contemplates renewals of the underlying agreements based on the Company’s historical ability to renew such agreements without significant cost or modifications to the conditions from which the value of the affiliation was derived. These renewals can result in estimated useful lives of individual affiliations ranging from 12 to 20 years. Management has determined that 15 years is a reasonable estimate within the range of such estimated useful lives.

No events or circumstances were noted leading management to conclude that impairment testing should be performed during 2013 and 2012 on the intangible assets subject to amortization.

The following table presents the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years and thereafter for definite-lived intangible assets recorded on its books as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

2014
 
$
2,728 
 
2015
   
2,779 
 
2016
   
2,779 
 
2017
   
2,285 
 
2018
   
1,879 
 
Thereafter
   
11,588 
 
   
$
24,038 
 

 
The carrying amounts of goodwill and FCC licenses for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

 
Goodwill
 
FCC Licenses
 
       
Accumulated
             
Accumulated
       
 
Gross
 
Impairment
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Impairment
 
Net
 
                                     
Balance as of December 31, 2012
  $ 20,280     $ (1,550 )   $ 18,730     $ 32,636     $ (10,697 )   $ 21,939  
Acquisitions
    13,759       -       13,759       19,624       -       19,624  
Balance as of December 31, 2013
  $ 34,039     $ (1,550 )   $ 32,489     $ 52,260     $ (10,697 )   $ 41,563  

The Company’s annual impairment test of goodwill and FCC licenses performed as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 resulted in no impairment charge being recognized.


 
 

 
F-16

 


7. Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following, as of December 31 (in thousands):

   
2013
   
2012
 
Term loans, net of discount of $431 and $517, respectively
  $ 232,465     $ 43,483  
8.875% Senior secured second lien notes due 2017, net of discount of $0 and $5,622, respectively
    -       319,378   
      232,465       362,861  
Less: current portion
    (2,334 )     (330 )
    $ 230,131     $ 362,531  

Senior Secured Credit Facility

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 March 1, 2013, Mission borrowed $5.0 million from its revolving credit facility to partially finance the acquisition of WVNY from Smith Media (See Note 3). The revolving loan was repaid in July 2013.

On June 28, 2013, Mission entered into an amendment to its senior secured credit facility. The amendment provided a commitment for an incremental term loan facility (the “Term Loan A Facility”) 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. As of December 31, 2013, no amount was borrowed by Mission under this facility. Mission recorded $0.2 million in legal and professional fees related to the Term Loan A Facility, which was capitalized as debt finance costs, included in other noncurrent assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013.

On October 1, 2013, Mission entered into an amendment to its senior secured credit facility. The amendment provided for an incremental term loan of $125.0 million (“Term Loan B-2”) and an amended revolving credit facility of up to $30.0 million. Mission recorded $1.2 million in legal, professional and underwriting fees related to the Term Loan B-2, which was capitalized as debt finance costs, included in other noncurrent assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013, and is being amortized over its term.

On December 9, 2013, Mission entered into an amendment to its senior secured credit facility. Under the terms of the amendment, Mission received $5.0 million in Term Loan B-2. On the same date, Mission converted the outstanding principal balance of its Term Loan B of $103.5 million, issued to a group of commercial banks in December 2012 and January 2013, into Term Loan B-2. The majority of the lenders from the Term Loan B participated in the Term Loan B-2. Thus, this portion of the conversion was treated as a debt modification that is deemed not substantial and the unamortized debt finance costs and debt discount under the Term Loan B were continued to be amortized over the term of the Term Loan B-2 for this portion of the loan. Legal, professional and underwriting fees in connection with the conversion of $0.3 million were expensed as incurred. Lenders holding $5.0 million of the Term Loan B elected not to participate in the Term Loan B-2. Thus, this portion of the conversion was treated as a debt extinguishment and new issuance of debt. Mission recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.1 million, representing a partial write-off of previously capitalized debt financing costs and debt discount related to the extinguished loans.

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Mission senior secured credit facility (the “Mission Facility”) had $232.9 million and $44.0 million term loans outstanding, respectively, and no amounts outstanding under its revolving credit facility as of each of the years then ended.

The Term Loan B-2, which matures in October 2020, is payable in consecutive quarterly installments of 0.25%, with the remaining 93% due at maturity. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, Mission repaid scheduled maturities of $1.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of its term loans.

Interest rates are selected at Mission’s option and the applicable margin is adjusted quarterly as defined in Mission’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The interest rate of Mission’s term loan was 3.75% and 4.5% as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and the interest rate on Mission’s revolving loans was 2.4% and 4.6% as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. Interest is payable periodically based on the type of interest rate selected. Additionally, Mission is required to pay quarterly commitment fees on the unused portion of its revolving loan commitment and unused Term Loan A Facility of 0.5% per annum.


 
 

 
F-17

 

8.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes

On April 19, 2010, Mission and Nexstar, as co-issuers, completed the issuance and sale of $325.0 million senior secured second lien notes due 2017 (the “8.875% Notes”). The 8.875% Notes will mature on April 15, 2017. Interest on the 8.875% Notes accrues at a rate of 8.875% per annum and is payable semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year.
 
The Company incurred $0.7 million in professional fees related to the transaction, which were capitalized as debt finance costs, included in other noncurrent assets, net on the Balance Sheet, and were being amortized over the term of the 8.875% Notes, and expensed upon repayment.

The 8.875% Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of April 19, 2010 (the “Indenture”). Mission’s and Nexstar’s obligations under the 8.875% Notes are jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Nexstar and all of Mission’s and Nexstar’s future 100% owned domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain customary release provisions.

On October 1, 2013, Mission repurchased $125.7 million of the outstanding principal balance under the 8.875% Notes at 108.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in accordance with a tender offer dated September 17, 2013. The repurchase was funded by a combination of the proceeds from the issuance of Mission’s Term Loan B-2 and cash on hand. The tender offer expired on October 15, 2013 and Mission repurchased $9.7 million outstanding principal balance of the 8.875% Notes at the redemption price of 107.0%, funded by cash on hand, on November 18, 2013. These repurchases resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $14.2 million in Mission’s Statement of Operations. The remaining principal balance under the 8.875% Notes was repurchased by Nexstar and resulted in a net reduction to the contra equity due from Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. of $186.9 million in Mission’s Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity. As of December 31, 2013, Mission and Nexstar fully repaid all the outstanding obligations under the 8.875% Notes.

Unused Commitments and Borrowing Availability

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $30.0 million of total unused revolving loan commitments under the Mission Facility, all of which was available for borrowing, based on the covenant calculations. The Company also had $90.0 million unused Term Loan A Facility under its amended senior secured credit facility, all of which was available for borrowing as of December 31, 2013.

Collateralization and Guarantees of Debt

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries guarantee full payment of all obligations under the Mission Credit Facility in the event of its default. Similarly, Mission is a guarantor of Nexstar’s bank credit facility and the 6.875% Notes. The bank credit facilities are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all the combined assets, excluding FCC licenses, of Mission and Nexstar. See Note 11 for additional information on Mission’s guarantee of Nexstar’s debt.

Debt Covenants

The Mission Facility does not require financial covenant ratios, but does provide for default in the event Nexstar does not comply with all covenants contained in its credit agreement. Nexstar was in compliance with its debt covenants as of December 31, 2013.


 
 

 
F-18

 


Fair Value of Debt

The aggregate carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s debt were as follows, as of December 31 (in thousands):

 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
 
Amount
 
Value
 
Amount
 
Value
 
Term loans(1) 
  $ 232,465     $ 233,299     $ 43,483     $ 44,484  
8.875% Senior secured second lien notes(2) 
    -       -       319,378       359,125  
___________________________
(1)
The fair value of senior secured credit facilities is computed based on borrowing rates currently available to 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 Mission’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. This fair value measurement is considered Level 2, as quoted market prices are available for low volume trading of these securities.

Debt Maturities

As of December 31, 2013, scheduled maturities of Mission’s debt for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

2014
 
$
2,334 
 
2015
   
2,335 
 
2016
   
2,335 
 
2017
   
2,335 
 
2018
   
2,335 
 
Thereafter
   
221,222 
 
   
$
232,896 
 

8. Common Stock

The Company is owned by two shareholders, Nancie J. Smith, Chairman of the Board and Secretary, and Dennis Thatcher, President, Treasurer and Director. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had authorized, issued and outstanding 1,000 shares of common stock with a one dollar par value. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.

9. Income Taxes

The income tax (benefit) expense consisted of the following components for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):

   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
Current tax (benefit) expense:
                 
Federal
 
$
(4
 
$
4
   
$
 
State
   
 101
     
 102
     
 77
 
     
 97
     
 106
     
 77
 
                         
Deferred tax (benefit) expense:
                       
Federal
   
 (2,128
   
 (38,337
   
 555
 
State
   
 (410
   
 (2,284
   
 117
 
     
 (2,538
   
 (40,621
   
 672
 
Income tax (benefit) expense:
 
$
(2,441
 
$
(40,515
 
$
749
 
 
    The Company’s 2012 income tax benefit relating to operations primarily resulted from a reduction in its valuation allowance. Based on the weight of available evidence including the Company’s generation of pre-tax income from operations on a three-year look-back basis, forecast of future earnings, and the anticipated ability to sustain a level of earnings, the Company determined, in the fourth quarter of 2012, it is more likely than not a substantial portion of its deferred tax assets will be realized and the Company decreased its valuation allowance by $43.0 million through its income tax benefit in the 2012 Consolidated Statement of Operations.
 

 
 

 
F-19

 
   
    The income tax (benefit) expense differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% to loss from operations before income taxes. The sources and tax effects of the differences were as follows, for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):

   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
Income tax (benefit) expense at 35% statutory federal rate
 
$
(2,165
)
 
$
2,354
   
$
(333
                         
Change in valuation allowance
   
 — 
     
(43,035
)
   
1,525
 
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit
   
(173
)
   
418
     
 (31
)
Impact of change in reporting entity (Note 3)
   
 — 
     
 — 
     
 (412
)
Other, net
   
(103
)
   
(252
)
   
 — 
 
Income tax (benefit) expense
 
$
(2,441
 
$
(40,515
)
 
$
749
 
 
    The components of the net deferred tax asset (liability) were as follows, as of December 31 (in thousands):
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”)
 
$
45,175
   
$
39,294
 
Other intangible assets
   
 2,103
     
 3,862
 
Deferred revenue
   
 562
     
 788
 
Other
   
 1,603
     
 1,559
 
Total deferred tax assets
   
 49,443
     
 45,503
 
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Property and equipment
   
 (3,300
)
   
 (3,349
Goodwill
   
 (5,619
)
   
 (5,000
FCC licenses
   
 (6,637
)
   
 (5,805
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
   
(15,556
)
   
(14,154
)
Net deferred tax asset
 
$
33,887
   
$
31,349
 
 
    During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, there were no changes to the gross unrecognized tax benefit of $3.7 million. If the gross unrecognized tax benefit were recognized, it would result in a favorable effect on the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company does not expect the amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Interest expense and penalties related to the Company’s uncertain tax positions would be reflected as a component of income tax expense in the Company’s Statements of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not accrue interest on the unrecognized tax benefits as an unfavorable outcome upon examination would not result in a cash outlay but would reduce NOLs.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company is subject to U.S. federal tax examinations for years after 2009. Additionally, any NOLs that were generated in prior years and will be utilized in the future may also be subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. State jurisdictions that remain subject to examination are not considered significant.

As of December 31, 2013, the Company has federal NOLs available of $121.7 million and post-apportionment state NOLs available of $48.0 million which are available to reduce future taxable income if utilized before their expiration. The federal NOLs expire through 2033 if not utilized. Utilization of NOLs in the future may be limited if changes in the Company’s ownership occur.
 
 
 

 
F-20

 

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. 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 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. The Company will transition its 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. 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 seeks 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 FCC has indicated that on March 31, 2014, it will take various actions related to its pending 2010 media ownership review and the commencement of its 2014 review.  These actions are expected to include the adoption of a rule which will make television JSAs attributable to the selling party when that party sells more than 15% of a second in-market station’s advertising time. The FCC may require require the termination of existing JSAs within a specified period of time if the newly attributable JSAs do not comply with the local television ownership limits.. The FCC is also expected to consider further action with respect to SSAs, and to solicit public comment on other of its media ownership rules. If the FCC adopts a JSA or SSA attribution rule, or any other new or modified rule affecting the ownership of or local service agreements between television stations, we will be required to comply with such rules.


 
 

 
F-21

 

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, the U.S. 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 indicated that on March 31, 2014, it will adopt a rule that generally prohibits joint retransmission consent negotiation by non-commonly owned television stations. 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. Congress is also considering legislation which could impact the regulations governing retransmission consent. The Company cannot predict the resolution of these matters or their impact to its business.

11. Commitments and Contingencies

Broadcast Rights Commitments
 
    Broadcast rights acquired for cash under license agreements are recorded as an asset and a corresponding liability at the inception of the license period. Future minimum payments for license agreements for which the license period has not commenced and no asset or liability has been recorded are as follows as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

2014
 
$
1,116 
 
2015
   
640 
 
2016
   
100 
 
2017
   
79 
 
2018
   
43 
 
Thereafter
   
31 
 
   
$
2,009 
 


 
 

 
F-22

 
 
Operating Leases

The Company leases towers, office space and operating equipment under noncancelable operating lease arrangements expiring through April 2032. Rent expense recorded in the Company’s Statements of Operations for such leases was $1.6 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Future minimum lease payments under these operating leases are as follows as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

2014
 
$
1,771 
 
2015
   
1,806 
 
2016
   
1,889 
 
2017
   
1,910 
 
2018
   
1,965 
 
Thereafter
   
12,773 
 
   
$
22,114 
 

Guarantees of Nexstar Debt

Mission is a guarantor of and has pledged substantially all its assets, excluding FCC licenses, to guarantee Nexstar’s credit facility. Mission is also a guarantor of Nexstar’s 6.875% Notes. The 6.875% Notes are general senior unsecured obligations subordinated to all of Mission’s senior debt. In the event that Nexstar is unable to repay amounts due under these debt obligations, Mission will be obligated to repay such amounts. The maximum potential amount of future payments that Mission would be required to make under these guarantees would be generally limited to the amount of borrowings outstanding under Nexstar’s senior secured credit facility and 6.875% Notes. As of December 31, 2013, Nexstar had $525.0 million outstanding obligations under its 6.875% Notes due on November 15, 2020 and had a maximum commitment of $483.1 million under its senior secured credit facility, of which $264.1 million in Term Loan B-2 and $50.0 million in Term Loan A were outstanding. On December 31, 2013, Nexstar began the scheduled quarterly repayments on its Term Loan B-2 of 0.25% of the aggregate principal. The remainder of the principal is due in full at maturity on October 1, 2020. Nexstar’s Term Loan A is payable in quarterly installments that increase over time from 5.0% to 10.0% of the aggregate principal beginning June 30, 2014. The remainder of the principal is due at maturity on June 28, 2018.

Purchase Options Granted to Nexstar

In consideration of the guarantee of Mission’s bank credit facility by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. and subsidiaries, Mission has granted Nexstar purchase options to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission station, subject to FCC consent, 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. Cash flow is defined as income or loss from operations, plus depreciation and amortization (including amortization of broadcast rights), interest income, non-cash trade and barter expenses, nonrecurring expenses (including time brokerage agreement fees), network compensation payments received or receivable and corporate management fees, less payments for broadcast rights, non-cash trade and barter revenue and network compensation revenue. Additionally, on November 29, 2011, Mission’s shareholders granted Nexstar an option to purchase any or all of the Company’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 2014 and 2024) 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.

Indemnification Obligations

In connection with certain agreements that the Company enters into 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 third 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 insignificant and the Company has not incurred significant costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements.


 
 

 
F-23

 


Litigation

From time to time, the Company is involved in 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 or results of operations.

12. Employee Benefits

The Company has established a retirement savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Plan”). The Plan covers substantially all employees of the Company who meet minimum age and service requirements, and allows participants to defer a portion of their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis. Contributions to the Plan may be made at the discretion of the Company. The Company contributed $20 thousand, $16 thousand and $16 thousand to the Plan for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

13. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Rollforward (in thousands)
 
       
Additions
             
 
Balance at
 
Charged to
       
Balance at
 
 
Beginning
 
Costs and
       
End of
 
 
of Period
 
Expenses
 
Deductions(1)
 
Period
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
  $ 30     $ 84     $ (18 )   $ 96  
Year Ended December 31, 2012
    113       2       (85 )     30  
Year Ended December 31, 2011
    146       153       (186 )     113  
_______________________________________
(1)
Primarily uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.  In 2011, includes the allowance on the accounts receivable remaining with Nexstar upon change in reporting entity, as discussed in Note 3.
 
Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets Rollforward (in thousands)
 
       
Additions
 
Additions
             
 
Balance at
 
Charged to
 
Charged to
       
Balance at
 
 
Beginning
 
Costs and
 
Other
       
End of
 
 
of Period
 
Expenses(1)
 
Accounts(2)
 
Deductions(3)
 
Period
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Year Ended December 31, 2012
    43,035       -       -       (43,035 )     -  
Year Ended December 31, 2011
    39,792       1,554       1,689       -       43,035  
________________________________________
(1)
Increase in valuation allowance related to the generation of net operating losses and other deferred tax assets.
(2)
Impact of change in reporting entity, discussed in Note 3.
(3)
In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company released the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.

 
 

 
F-24

 



Exhibit No.
Exhibit Index
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (f/k/a Mission Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, Inc.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, Inc.)
3.2
By-laws of Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (f/k/a Mission Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, Inc.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, Inc.)
4.1
Indenture, dated as of April 19, 2010, by and among Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting Inc., as Issuers, Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., as Guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Collateral Agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc. on April 23, 2010)
4.2
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2013, by and among Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., as a guarantor, Mission Broadcasting, Inc., as a guarantor, 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)
4.3
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2013, by and among Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Mission Broadcasting, Inc., Nexstar Broadcasting Group, 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)
4.4
Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2012, among Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., as a guarantor, Mission Broadcasting, Inc., as a guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on November 9, 2012)
10.1
Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 3, 2012, by and among Mission Broadcasting, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, UBS Securities, LLC, as syndication agent, joint lead arranger and joint book manager, RBC Capital Markets, as documentation agent, joint lead arranger and joint book manager, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as joint lead arranger and joint book manager, and a syndicate of other lenders (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on December 5, 2012)
10.2
First Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2013, by and among Mission Broadcasting, Inc., Bank of America, N.A. and the several Banks parties thereto (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 July 5, 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
Third Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 9, 2013, by and among Mission Broadcasting, 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 December 13, 2013)
10.5
Third Restated Guaranty (Nexstar Obligations) dated as of December 3, 2012. (Incorporated by reference  to Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc. on December 5, 2012)
10.6
Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 3, 2012, by and among Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., Nexstar Finance Holdings, Inc., Mission Broadcasting, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, UBS Securities, LLC, as syndication agent, joint lead arranger and joint book manager, RBC Capital Markets, as documentation agent, joint lead arranger and joint book manager, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as joint lead arranger and joint book manager, and a syndicate of other lenders (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 December 5, 2012)
10.7
First Amendment to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 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 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on July 5, 2013)
10.8
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)
10.9
Third Amendment to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 9, 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 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on December 13, 2013)
10.10
Third Restated Guaranty (Mission Obligations) dated as of December 3, 2012 (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 December 5, 2012)
10.11
Executive Employment Agreement, dated December 19, 2011, by and between Nancie J. Smith and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc. on December 23, 2011)
10.12
Executive Employment Agreement, dated December 19, 2011, by and between Dennis Thatcher and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc. on December 23, 2011)
10.13
Stock Option Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2011, by and among Mission Broadcasting, Inc., Nancie J. Smith, Dennis Thatcher and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.14
Option Agreement, dated as of November 30, 1998, among Bastet Broadcasting, Inc., David Smith and Nexstar Broadcasting Group, L.L.C. (WFXP) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.15
Time Brokerage Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1996, by and between SJL Communications, L.P. and NV Acquisitions Co. (WFXP – WJET) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.16
Amendment to Time Brokerage Agreement, dated as of July 31, 1998,between SJL Communications, L.P. and NV Acquisitions Co. (WFXP – WJET) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.17
Amendment to Time Brokerage Agreement, dated as of July 17, 2006, between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (WFXP – WJET) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.18
Letter, notifying Mission Broadcasting, Inc. of the election to extend Time Brokerage Agreement (WFXP – WJET) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.19
Amendment to Option Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2012, by and between Mission Broadcasting Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (KHMT) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.66 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.20
Option Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1999, among Mission Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, Inc., David Smith and Nexstar Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, L.P. (KJTL and KJBO-LP (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.42 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.21
Amendment to Option Agreements, dated as of October 18, 2002, among Mission Broadcasting, Inc., David Smith, Nexstar Broadcasting of Northeastern Pennsylvania, L.L.C., Nexstar Broadcasting Group, L.L.C., Nexstar Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, L.L.C., and Nexstar Broadcasting of Joplin, L.L.C. (WYOU, WFXP, KJTL, KJBO-LP and KODE) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.22
Shared Services Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1999, among Mission Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, Inc., David Smith and Nexstar Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, L.P. (KJTL and KJBO-LP – KFDX) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.23
Amendment to Shared Services Agreement, dated January 1, 2004, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (as successor to Nexstar Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, L.P.) and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (f/k/a Mission Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, Inc.) (KJTL and KJBO - KFDX). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.102 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.24
Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time, dated as of June 1, 1999, among Mission Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, Inc., David Smith and Nexstar Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, L.P. (KJTL and KJBO-LP – KFDX) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.25
Amendment to Agreement for Sale of Commercial Time, dated January 1, 2004, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (as successor to Nexstar Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, L.P.) and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (f/k/a Mission Broadcasting of Wichita Falls, Inc.) (KJTL and KJBO - KFDX). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.101 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.26
Option Agreement, dated as of May 19, 1998, among Bastet Broadcasting, Inc., David Smith and Nexstar Broadcasting of Northeastern Pennsylvania, L.P. (WYOU) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.27
Shared Services Agreement, dated as of January 5, 1998, between Nexstar Broadcasting Group, L.P. and Bastet Broadcasting, Inc. (WYOU – WBRE) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.28
Option Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2002, by and between Mission Broadcasting of Joplin, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting of Joplin, L.L.C. (KODE) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.29
Amendment to Option Agreement, dated April 25, 2011, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (KODE) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.30
Shared Services Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2002, by and between Mission Broadcasting of Joplin, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting of Joplin, L.L.C. (KODE – KSNF) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.31
Letter received from Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. notifying Mission of the election to extend Shared Service Agreement (KODE-KSNF).  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2012 filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on May 9, 2012)
10.32
Option Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, among Mission Broadcasting, Inc., David Smith and Nexstar Broadcasting of Abilene, L.L.C. (KRBC) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.64 to Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.33
Amendment to Option Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2012, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (KRBC and KSAN) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on August 8, 2012)
10.34
Shared Services Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2003, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting of Abilene, L.L.C. (KRBC – KTAB) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.63 to  Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86994) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.35
Letter, extending Shared Services Agreement and Sale of Commercial Time, dated as of June 1, 2013, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (KRBC) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.36
Option Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2003, among Mission Broadcasting, Inc., David Smith and Nexstar Broadcasting of the Midwest, Inc. (WAWV) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003 (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.37
Amendment of Option Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2012, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (WAWV) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on August 8, 2012)
10.38
Shared Services Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2003, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting of the Midwest, Inc. (WAWV – WTWO) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003 (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.39
Amendment to Shared Services Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2004, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (WAWV-WTWO). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.98 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.40
Extension of the Shared Services Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2013, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (WAWV) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013 (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.41
Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time, dated as of May 9, 2003, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting of the Midwest, Inc. (WAWV – WTWO) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003 (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.42
Amendment to Agreement for Sale of Commercial Time, dated January 13, 2004, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (WAWV-WTWO). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.97 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.43
Extension of the Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time, dated as of May 1, 2013, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (WAWV-TV) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013 (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.44
Amendment to Shared Services Agreement, dated January 1, 2004, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (KCIT-KAMR). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.96 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.45
Amendment to Agreement for Sale of Commercial Time, dated January 1, 2004, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (KCIT-KAMR). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.95 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.46
Amendment to Option Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2012, by and between Mission Broadcasting Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (KAMC) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.65 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.47
Amendment to Shared Services Agreement, dated December 30, 2003, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (KAMC-KLBK). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.92 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.48
Amendment to Agreement for Sale of Commercial Time, dated December 30, 2003, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (KAMC-KLBK). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.91 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.49
Amendment to Option Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2012, by and between Mission Broadcasting Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (KOLR) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.67 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.50
Amendment to Shared Services Agreement, dated December 30, 2003, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (KOLR-KOZL). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.94 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.51
Amendment to Agreement for Sale of Commercial Time, dated December 30, 2003, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (KOLR-KOZL). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.93 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.52
Shared Services Agreement, dated April 1, 2004, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (WUTR-WFXV). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.100 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.53
Agreement for Sale of Commercial Time, dated April 1, 2004, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (WUTR-WFXV). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.99 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114963) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.)
10.54
Amendment to Option Agreement, dated October 15, 2013 by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (WTVO)*
10.55
Option Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2013, among Mission Broadcasting, Inc., Nancie Smith, Dennis Thatcher and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (WTVW) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2013 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.56
Shared Services Agreement, dated December 1, 2011, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (WEHT-WTVW) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.57
Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time, dated December 1, 2011, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (WEHT-WTVW) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.58
Option Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2013, among Mission Broadcasting Inc., Nancie Smith, Dennis Thatcher and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (KLRT-TV – KASN) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.87 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.59
Shared Services Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2013, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (KLRT-TV – KASN) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.86 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.60
Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time, dated as of January 1, 2013, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (KLRT-TV – KASN) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.85 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.61
Option Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2013, among Mission Broadcasting Inc., Nancie Smith, Dennis Thatcher and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (WVNY) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.90 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.62
Shared Services Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2013, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (WVNY) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.89 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.63
Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time, dated as of March 1, 2013, by and between Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (WVNY) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.88 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.64
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2012, by and among Mission Broadcasting, Inc., Newport Television LLC and Newport Television License LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on July 24, 2012)
14.1
Mission Broadcasting, Inc. Code of Ethics. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 333-62916-02) filed by Mission Broadcasting, Inc.)
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.*
31.1
Certification of Dennis Thatcher pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1
Certification of Dennis Thatcher pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350.*
101
The Company’s Financial Statements and related Notes for the year ended December 31, 2012 from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language)
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*           Filed herewith