nxst10q_q32012.htm
 
 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
  
FORM 10-Q
  
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012
   
 
OR
   
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the transition period from             to             .

Commission File Number: 000-50478
 
NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
23-3083125
(State of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
5215 N. O’Connor Blvd., Suite 1400, Irving, Texas
75039
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(972) 373-8800
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that it was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x     No  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):
 
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
x
       
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
   
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x
 
As of November 2, 2012, the registrant had 15,608,131 shares of Class A Common Stock and 13,411,588 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding.

 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
Page
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
ITEM 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
1
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
2
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit for the nine months ended September 30, 2012
3
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
4
     
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5
     
ITEM 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
27
     
ITEM 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
36
     
ITEM 4.
Controls and Procedures
36
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
ITEM 1.
Legal Proceedings
37
     
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
37
     
ITEM 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
37
     
ITEM 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
37
     
ITEM 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
37
     
ITEM 5.
Other Information
37
     
ITEM 6.
Exhibits
38
   
   

 
 

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
ITEM 1.  Financial Statements

NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(in thousands, except share information, unaudited)
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2011
 
ASSETS
 
 
       
Current assets:
 
 
       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 12,236     $ 7,546  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,597 and $1,313,
    67,446       71,279  
respectively
Current portion of broadcast rights
    19,169       16,290  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    2,412       1,734  
Total current assets
    101,263       96,849  
Property and equipment, net
    139,742       146,613  
Broadcast rights
    16,381       9,351  
Goodwill
    112,575       112,575  
FCC licenses
    119,569       119,569  
FCC licenses of Mission
    21,939       21,939  
Other intangible assets, net
    64,924       81,519  
Other noncurrent assets, net
    34,966       6,619  
Total assets
  $ 611,359     $ 595,034  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of debt
  $ 1,500     $ 1,500  
Current portion of broadcast rights payable
    16,338       13,534  
Accounts payable
    8,948       9,175  
Accrued expenses
    13,512       13,223  
Taxes payable
    295       402  
Interest payable
    14,982       10,868  
Deferred revenue
    3,539       2,196  
Other liabilities of Mission
    5,914       5,201  
Other liabilities
    1,130       1,131  
Total current liabilities
    66,158       57,230  
Debt
    613,748       638,861  
Broadcast rights payable
    12,984       8,435  
Deferred tax liabilities
    43,666       40,278  
Deferred revenue
    136       428  
Deferred gain on sale of assets
    1,821       1,999  
Deferred representation fee incentive
    3,781       4,345  
Other liabilities of Mission
    21,410       18,729  
Other liabilities
    7,932       8,133  
Total liabilities
    771,636       778,438  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders' deficit:
               
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value, 200,000 shares authorized; none issued and
               
outstanding at each of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
    -       -  
Class A Common stock - $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 15,607,131
               
and 15,387,131 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and
               
December 31, 2011, respectively
    156       154  
Class B Common stock - $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; 13,411,588
               
shares issued and outstanding at each of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
    134       134  
Class C Common stock - $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and
               
outstanding at each of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
    -       -  
Additional paid-in capital
    408,384       406,654  
Accumulated deficit
    (568,951 )     (590,346 )
Total stockholders' deficit
    (160,277 )     (183,404 )
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit
  $ 611,359     $ 595,034  

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

 
1

 

NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
(in thousands, except per share information, unaudited)
 
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
                         
Net revenue
  $ 89,952     $ 74,839     $ 262,458     $ 220,289  
Operating expenses (income):
                               
Direct operating expenses, excluding depreciation and
                               
amortization
    21,950       20,826       65,930       59,634  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses, excluding
                               
depreciation and amortization
    27,510       26,346       81,771       76,313  
Amortization of broadcast rights
    5,563       6,650       16,303       17,499  
Amortization of intangible assets
    5,480       7,213       16,595       20,411  
Depreciation
    5,896       5,618       17,359       16,053  
(Gain) loss on asset disposal, net
    (4 )     (82 )     (25 )     20  
Total operating expenses
    66,395       66,571       197,933       189,930  
Income from operations
    23,557       8,268       64,525       30,359  
Interest expense, net
    (12,438 )     (13,069 )     (37,921 )     (40,082 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    -       -       (497 )     (1,155 )
Income (loss) before income taxes
    11,119       (4,801 )     26,107       (10,878 )
Income tax expense
    (1,558 )     (1,458 )     (4,712 )     (4,277 )
Net income (loss)
  $ 9,561     $ (6,259 )   $ 21,395     $ (15,155 )
Net income (loss) per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.33     $ (0.22 )   $ 0.74     $ (0.53 )
Diluted
  $ 0.31     $ (0.22 )   $ 0.70     $ (0.53 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    28,960       28,799       28,881       28,568  
Diluted
    30,703       28,799       30,561       28,568  

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

 

 
2

 

NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands, except share information, unaudited)
                                                           
                                                           
             
Common Stock
 
Additional
       
Total
   
Preferred Stock
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
Class C
 
Paid-In
 
Accumulated
 
Stockholders'
   
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Deficit
 
Deficit
Balance as of December 31, 2011
 
 
$
 
15,387,131 
 
$
154 
 
13,411,588 
 
$
134 
 
 
$
 
$
406,654 
 
$
(590,346)
 
$
(183,404)
Stock-based compensation expense
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
725 
   
   
725 
Exercise of stock options
 
   
 
220,000 
   
 
   
 
   
   
1,005 
   
   
1,007 
Net income
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
   
21,395 
   
21,395 
Balance as of September 30, 2012
 
 
$
 
15,607,131 
 
$
156 
 
13,411,588 
 
$
134 
 
 
$
 
$
408,384 
 
$
(568,951)
 
$
(160,277)

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

 

 
3

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

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 21,395     $ (15,155 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Deferred income taxes
    4,307       3,914  
Provision for bad debts
    1,448       1,517  
Depreciation of property and equipment
    17,359       16,053  
Amortization of intangible assets
    16,595       20,411  
Amortization of debt financing costs
    1,238       1,292  
Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter
    6,489       7,662  
Payments for broadcast rights
    (6,681 )     (8,008 )
Payment-in-kind interest accrued to debt
    -       21  
(Gain) loss on asset disposal, net
    (25 )     20  
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    497       1,155  
Premium on debt extinguishment, net
    -       (254 )
PIK interest paid upon debt extinguishment
    -       (215 )
Issue discount paid upon debt extinguishment
    (1,190 )     (3,126 )
Deferred gain recognition
    (327 )     (327 )
Amortization of debt discount
    1,016       1,397  
Amortization of deferred representation fee incentive
    (564 )     (464 )
Stock-based compensation expense
    725       863  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
               
Accounts receivable
    2,385       1,343  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (679 )     447  
Other noncurrent assets
    97       4  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (179 )     1,470  
Taxes payable
    (107 )     (123 )
Interest payable
    4,114       6,358  
Deferred revenue
    1,051       (714 )
Other liabilities of Mission
    174       (208 )
Other noncurrent liabilities
    (409 )     (367 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    68,729       34,966  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (11,024 )     (10,842 )
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment
    39       94  
Deposits and payments for acquisitions
    (28,554 )     (21,064 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (39,539 )     (31,812 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Repayments of long-term debt
    (95,735 )     (87,832 )
Payments for debt financing costs
    (251 )     (533 )
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
    70,500       69,300  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    1,007       67  
Payments for capital lease obligations
    (21 )     -  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (24,500 )     (18,998 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    4,690       (15,844 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    7,546       23,658  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 12,236     $ 7,814  
Supplemental information:
               
Interest paid
  $ 32,693     $ 34,208  
Income taxes paid, net
  $ 522     $ 499  
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Accrued debt financing costs
  $ 259     $ 30  
Accrued purchases of property and equipment
  $ 1,547     $ 1,068  
Purchases of property and equipment through trade
  $ 192     $ 430  
Entry into capital leases for property and equipment
  $ 229     $ -  
Station acquisition through issuance of Class A common stock
  $ -     $ 2,423  

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

 

 
4

 

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


 
1.  Organization and Business Operations
 
    As of September 30, 2012, Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (“Nexstar”) owned, operated, programmed or provided sales and other services to 55 television stations and 11 digital multicast channels, including those owned by Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (“Mission”), in 32 markets in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Texas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, New York, Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan. The stations are affiliates of NBC (12 stations), CBS (11 stations), ABC (11 stations), FOX (11 stations), MyNetworkTV (5 stations and one digital multicast channel), The CW (2 stations), and Bounce TV (10 digital multicast channels) and three are independent. Through various local service agreements, Nexstar provided sales, programming and other services to 19 stations and four digital multicast channels owned and/or operated by independent third parties. Nexstar operates in one reportable television broadcasting segment. The economic characteristics, services, production process, customer type and distribution methods for Nexstar’s operations are substantially similar and are therefore aggregated as a single reportable segment.

 
2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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

Liquidity

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

Interim Financial Statements

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2012 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair statement of the financial information included herein in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in Nexstar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. The balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. 

 
5

 

Mission
 
Mission is included in these Consolidated Financial Statements because Nexstar is deemed under U.S. GAAP to have a controlling financial interest in Mission as a VIE for financial reporting purposes as a result of (1) local service agreements Nexstar has with the Mission stations, (2) Nexstar’s guarantee of the obligations incurred under Mission’s senior secured credit facility (see Note 6), (3) Nexstar having power over significant activities affecting Mission’s economic performance, including budgeting for advertising revenue, advertising and hiring and firing of sales force personnel and (4) purchase options granted by Mission which permit Nexstar to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission station, subject to Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) consent. The purchase options are freely exercisable or assignable by Nexstar without consent or approval by Mission for consideration equal to the greater of (1) seven times the station’s cash flow, as defined in the option agreement, less the amount of its indebtedness, as defined in the option agreement, or (2) the amount of its indebtedness. Additionally, on November 29, 2011, Mission’s shareholders granted Nexstar an option to purchase any or all of Mission’s stock, subject to FCC consent, for a price equal to the pro rata portion of the greater of (1) five times the stations’ cash flow, as defined in the agreement, reduced by the amount of indebtedness, as defined in the agreement, or (2) $100,000. These option agreements (which expire on various dates between 2012 and 2022) are freely exercisable or assignable by Nexstar without consent or approval by Mission or its shareholders. The Company expects these option agreements to be renewed upon expiration. As of September 30, 2012, the assets of Mission consisted of current assets of $4.1 million (excluding broadcast rights and amounts due from Nexstar), broadcast rights of $7.9 million, FCC licenses of $21.9 million, goodwill of $18.7 million, other intangible assets of $11.5 million, property and equipment of $22.2 million and other noncurrent assets of $7.2 million. Substantially all of Mission’s assets, except for its FCC licenses, collateralize its secured debt obligation. See Note 12 for a presentation of condensed consolidating financial information of the Company, which includes the accounts of Mission.

Nexstar has entered into local service agreements with Mission to provide sales and operating services to the Mission stations. The following table summarizes the various local service agreements Nexstar had in effect with Mission as of September 30, 2012:

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

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

Variable Interest Entities
 
The Company may determine that a station is a VIE as a result of local service agreements entered into with the owner-operator of the station. The term local service agreements generally refers to a contract between separately owned television stations serving the same market, whereby the owner-operator of one station contracts with the owner-operator of the other station to provide it with administrative, sales and other services required for the operation of its station. Nevertheless, the owner-operator of each station retains control and responsibility for the operation of its station, including ultimate responsibility over all programming broadcast on its station. In addition to those with Mission, Nexstar has VIEs in connection with local service agreements entered into with stations as discussed below.

 
6

 

Nexstar has determined that it has variable interests in WYZZ, the FOX affiliate in Peoria, Illinois and WUHF, the FOX affiliate in Rochester, New York, each owned by a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (“Sinclair”), as a result of outsourcing agreements it has entered into with Sinclair. Nexstar also has determined that it has a variable interest in WHP, the CBS affiliate in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which is owned by Newport Television License LLC (“Newport”), as a result of Nexstar becoming successor-in-interest to a TBA entered into by a former owner of WLYH. Nexstar has evaluated its arrangements with Sinclair and Newport and has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interests because it does not have the ultimate power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the stations, including developing the annual operating budget, programming and oversight and control of sales management personnel. Therefore, Nexstar has not consolidated these stations under authoritative guidance related to the consolidation of variable interest entities. Under the outsourcing agreements with Sinclair, Nexstar pays for certain operating expenses of WYZZ and WUHF, and therefore may have unlimited exposure to any potential operating losses. Nexstar’s management believes that Nexstar’s minimum exposure to loss under the Sinclair outsourcing agreements consists of the fees paid to Sinclair. Additionally, Nexstar indemnifies the owners of WHP, WYZZ and WUHF from and against all liability and claims arising out of or resulting from its activities, acts or omissions in connection with the agreements. The maximum potential amount of future payments Nexstar could be required to make for such indemnification is undeterminable at this time. Nexstar made payments to Sinclair under the outsourcing agreements of $1.5 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively and $4.0 million and $3.7 million for the nine months then ended. Nexstar has a balance due to Sinclair for fees under these arrangements in the amount of $1.5 million and $0.7 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Nexstar also has receivables in the amount of $2.5 million and $2.7 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, for advertising aired on these two stations.

Nexstar has also determined that it had a variable interest in Four Points Media Group Holdings, LLC (“Four Points”) due to a management services agreement between the two companies. Four Points owned and operated seven individual stations in four markets. Under this agreement, Nexstar managed the stations for Four Points but did not have ultimate control over the policies or operations of the stations. Nexstar had evaluated the business arrangement with Four Points and concluded that Nexstar was not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest because it did not have the ultimate power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted the economic performance of the stations, including developing the annual operating budget, setting advertising rates, programming and oversight and control of employees responsible for carrying out business activities of the stations. Therefore, Nexstar did not consolidate Four Points’ financial results into its own. In September 2011, Four Points entered into a definitive agreement to sell its stations to Sinclair. The sale closed on January 3, 2012, terminating the management services agreement, whereby Nexstar received a payment of $6.7 million, including the outstanding accounts receivable balance of $4.8 million and a contract termination fee of $1.9 million recorded in net revenue. As of September 30, 2012, all amounts due from Four Points had been received.

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 Company invests in short-term interest bearing obligations with original maturities less than 90 days, primarily money market funds. The Company does not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. As of each of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had $0.1 million invested in money market investments, which are carried at fair value. The Company has determined the fair value of the money market investment using methods that fall within Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

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

 
7

 

Income (Loss) Per Share
 
Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares are calculated using the treasury stock method. They consist of stock options outstanding during the period and reflect the potential dilution that could occur if common stock were issued upon exercise of stock options. The following table shows the amounts used in computing the Company’s diluted shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
    28,960       28,799       28,881       28,568  
Effect of dilutive stock options
    1,743       -       1,680       -  
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
    30,703       28,799       30,561       28,568  

The Company reported a net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and stock options with potentially dilutive effect were excluded from the diluted shares calculation as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the following weighted average options were outstanding (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Options with a potentially dilutive effect
    3,500       1,454       3,579       1,350  
Out-of-the-money and other anti-dilutive options
    308       2,317       173       2,430  
Total weighted average options outstanding
    3,808       3,771       3,752       3,780  

Basis of Presentation
 
Certain prior year financial statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income (loss) or stockholders’ deficit as previously reported.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820):  Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”). ASU 2011-04 clarifies certain topics regarding fair value measurement and adds some disclosures for fair value measurements. The update was effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2012. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment (Topic 350) (“ASU 2011-08”). ASU 2011-08 allows companies to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the annual two-step goodwill impairment test. The update is effective for the Company’s goodwill impairment testing performed in the fourth quarter of 2012, but early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (Topic 350) (“ASU 2012-02”). ASU 2012-02 allows companies to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the annual quantitative indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test. The update is effective for the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing performed in the fourth quarter of 2013, but early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 
8

 

3.
Acquisitions and Dispositions

Newport Acquisitions

On July 18, 2012, Nexstar and Mission signed definitive agreements to acquire the assets of twelve television stations in eight markets and Inergize Digital Media operations from Newport (the “Newport Acquisitions”) for $285.5 million, subject to adjustments for working capital acquired. Nexstar will acquire ten stations and Inergize Digital Media and Mission will acquire the two remaining stations. The stations to be acquired are as follows:

Market
 
Market Rank
 
Station
 
Affiliation
Nexstar:
           
Salt Lake City, UT
 
33 
 
KTVX
 
ABC
     
KUCW
CW
Memphis, TN
 
49 
 
WPTY
 
ABC
     
WLMT
CW
Syracuse, NY
 
84 
 
WSYR
 
ABC
Binghamton, NY
 
157 
 
WBGH
 
NBC
     
WIVT
ABC
Elmira, NY
 
174 
 
WETM
 
NBC
Jackson, TN
 
176 
 
WJKT
 
FOX
Watertown, NY
 
177 
 
WWTI
 
ABC
             
Mission:
           
Little Rock, AR
 
56 
 
KLRT
 
FOX
     
KASN
CW

Deposits totaling $28.6 million were made upon signing the agreements. The Company will finance the purchase price with new senior secured credit facilities (See Note 6). The acquisitions are subject to certain customary conditions and the Company expects them to close in December 2012.

On October 31, 2012, Nexstar entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of KGPE, the CBS affiliate in the Fresno, California market, and KGET, the NBC/CW affiliate, and KKEY-LP, the low powered Telemundo affiliate, both in the Bakersfield, California market, from Newport for $35.4 million, subject to adjustments for working capital acquired. A deposit of $3.5 million was made upon signing the agreement.  Nexstar intends to finance the purchase price of this acquisition from Newport with new senior secured credit facilities (See note 6). The acquisition is subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and Nexstar, assuming the approvals are obtained and conditions are met, expects it to close in first quarter of 2013.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company incurred acquisition related costs of $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, which primarily consisted of legal and professional fees.  These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses of Nexstar’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Smith Media, LLC (“Smith Media”) Acquisition
 
    On November 2, 2012, Nexstar and Mission entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of WFFF, the FOX affiliate, and WVNY, the ABC affiliate, both in the Burlington, Vermont market, from Smith Media for a total of $17.1 million, subject to adjustments for working capital acquired. A deposit of $0.8 million was made upon signing the agreement. The Company intends to finance the purchase price with new senior secured credit facilities (See Note 6). The acquisition is subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions and the Company, assuming the approvals are obtained and conditions are met, expects it to close in first quarter of 2013.


 
9

 

Beaumont Station Sale

On August 16, 2012, Nexstar entered into a definitive agreement to sell the net assets of KBTV, its FOX and Bounce TV affiliate in Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX, to Deerfield Media (Port Arthur), Inc. for $14.0 million, subject to adjustments for working capital sold. The accounting for the transaction has not yet been determined, but Nexstar anticipates the recognition of a gain on the sale. Completion of the sale is subject to approval by regulatory authorities and other customary conditions, and Nexstar expects the sale to close prior to the end of 2012. Proceeds of the sale will be used to repay debt obligations and for general corporate purposes.

4.
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
 
Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Estimated
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
   
useful life,
       
Accumulated
             
Accumulated
       
   
in years
 
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
 
Network affiliation
                                         
agreements
    15     $ 326,567     $ (263,434 )   $ 63,133     $ 326,567     $ (247,725 )   $ 78,842  
Other definite-lived
                                                       
intangible assets
    1-15       14,521       (12,730 )     1,791       14,521       (11,844 )     2,677  
Other intangible assets
          $ 341,088     $ (276,164 )   $ 64,924     $ 341,088     $ (259,569 )   $ 81,519  

The following table presents the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for the remainder of 2012, each of the five succeeding years ended December 31 and thereafter for definite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2012 (in thousands):

     
Remainder of 2012
 
$
5,406 
 
     
2013
   
16,912 
 
     
2014
   
10,844 
 
     
2015
   
9,457 
 
     
2016
   
5,699 
 
     
2017
   
5,431 
 
     
Thereafter
   
11,175 
 

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

 
Goodwill
 
FCC Licenses
 
       
Accumulated
             
Accumulated
       
 
Gross
 
Impairment
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Impairment
 
Net
 
                                     
Balance as of December 31, 2011
  $ 158,791     $ (46,216 )   $ 112,575     $ 191,710     $ (50,202 )   $ 141,508  
Balance as of September 30, 2012
  $ 158,791     $ (46,216 )   $ 112,575     $ 191,710     $ (50,202 )   $ 141,508  

The Company expenses as incurred any costs to renew or extend its FCC licenses. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization, but are tested for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. As of September 30, 2012, the Company did not identify any events that would trigger an impairment assessment.

 
10

 

 
5.
Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Compensation and related taxes
  $ 5,835     $ 5,676  
Sales commissions
    1,701       1,547  
Employee benefits
    1,050       977  
Property taxes
    1,304       699  
Other accruals related to operating expenses
    3,622       4,324  
    $ 13,512     $ 13,223  

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

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Term loans
  $ 147,000     $ 148,125  
Revolving loans
    33,000       24,300  
8.875% Senior secured second lien notes due 2017, net of discount of $5,884
               
 and $6,638
    319,116       318,362  
7% Senior subordinated notes due 2014, net of discount of $26 and $396
    3,886       37,516  
7% Senior subordinated PIK notes due 2014, net of discount of $347 and $535
    112,246       112,058  
      615,248       640,361  
Less: current portion
    1,500       1,500  
    $ 613,748     $ 638,861  

2012 Transactions

In connection with the Newport Acquisitions, Nexstar and Mission have secured commitments for $445.0 million in new senior secured credit facilities comprised of $350.0 million in term loans due 2019 and $95.0 million in revolving credit due December 2017. The Company will use the proceeds of these loans to finance the acquisitions (See Note 3), as well as for retirement of debt outstanding under the Company’s existing senior secured credit facilities. The Company is currently evaluating the accounting impact of these transactions.

On October 24, 2012, Nexstar commenced an offer to sell $250.0 million of 6.875% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “6.875 Notes”) at par.  The sale of the 6.875% Notes is expected to be completed on or about November 9, 2012.  The proceeds of the 6.875% Notes will be used to retire the 7% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 (the “7% Notes”) and 7% Senior Subordinated PIK Notes due 2014 (the “7% PIK Notes”), repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under Nexstar’s senior secured credit facility and pay related fees and expenses.  The 6.875% Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Nexstar and will be guaranteed by Mission. On October 24, 2012, Nexstar commenced a tender offer to retire the 7% Notes and the 7% PIK Notes for $1,003 per each $1,000 of outstanding principal, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. The tender offer will expire on November 21, 2012, unless extended or earlier terminated by Nexstar in its sole discretion.

On October 23, 2012, Nexstar and Mission entered into amendments to each of their senior secured credit facilities. The amendments exclude, through and including December 31, 2012, from the calculation of indebtedness and prepayment requirement, the proceeds of the 6.875% Notes and permit Nexstar to hold the net proceeds of the 6.875% Notes, pending repurchase of its outstanding 7% Notes and 7% PIK Notes and refinancing of a portion of the borrowings outstanding under its senior secured credit facilities with such proceeds, until December 31, 2012.

On September 27, 2012, Nexstar and Mission entered into amendments to each of their senior secured credit facilities.  The amendments remove the requirement for the Company to provide pro forma certificates to the lenders prior to entering into an acquisition and exclude any acquisitions from dollar limitations within the credit agreements if they are not to be funded with the existing senior secured credit facilities.


 
11

 

On May 11, 2012, Nexstar redeemed $34.0 million of its outstanding 7% Notes at 100.0%. As a result of the redemption, Nexstar recorded approximately $0.5 million of loss on extinguishment of debt related to this transaction. Nexstar funded the redemption of the notes from a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, Nexstar and Mission borrowed a net amount of $5.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively, under their senior secured credit facilities resulting in a consolidated revolving loan balance of $33.0 million as of September 30, 2012. In March, June and September 2012, Nexstar and Mission each paid the contractual maturities under their senior secured credit facilities, for a total payment of $1.1 million.

Unused Commitments and Borrowing Availability
 
Nexstar had $42.0 million of total unused revolving loan commitments under its senior secured credit facility, all of which was available for borrowing, based on the covenant calculations as of September 30, 2012. The Company’s ability to access funds under its senior secured credit facilities depends, in part, on its compliance with certain financial covenants.

Debt Covenants
 
The Nexstar senior secured credit facility agreement contains covenants which require the Company to comply with certain financial covenant ratios, including (1) a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio of Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (“Nexstar Broadcasting”), a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Nexstar, and Mission of 7.50 to 1.00 at September 30, 2012, (2) a maximum consolidated first lien indebtedness ratio of 2.50 to 1.00 at any time and (3) a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00 at any time. The covenants, which are formally calculated on a quarterly basis, are based on the combined results of Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission. Mission’s senior secured credit agreement does not contain financial covenant ratio requirements, but does provide for default in the event Nexstar does not comply with all covenants contained in its senior secured credit facility agreement. As of September 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

Collateralization and Guarantees of Debt
 
Nexstar and Mission’s senior secured credit facilities are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all the combined assets, excluding FCC licenses, of Nexstar and Mission. Nexstar and its subsidiaries guarantee full payment of all obligations incurred under the Mission senior secured credit facility in the event of Mission’s default. Similarly, Mission is a guarantor of the Nexstar senior secured credit facility and the senior subordinated notes issued by Nexstar.

Fair Value of Debt
 
The aggregate carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s debt were as follows (in thousands):

           
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
           
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
           
Amount
 
Value
 
Amount
 
Value
Term loans(1) 
 
$
147,000 
 
$
146,170 
 
$
148,125 
 
$
146,430 
Revolving loans(1) 
   
33,000 
   
32,936 
   
24,300 
   
24,171 
8.875% Senior secured second lien notes(2) 
   
319,116 
   
351,813 
   
318,362 
   
321,750 
7% Senior subordinated notes(2) 
   
3,886 
   
3,902 
   
37,516 
   
37,154 
7% Senior subordinated PIK notes(2) 
   
112,246 
   
112,312 
   
112,058 
   
110,341 
               
(1)
The fair value of senior secured credit facilities is computed based on borrowing rates currently available to Nexstar and
   
Mission for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities. These fair value measurements are considered Level 3
   
(significant and unobservable).
(2)
The fair value of Nexstar’s fixed rate debt is estimated based on bid prices obtained from an investment banking firm that
   
regularly makes a market for these financial instruments. These fair value measurements are considered Level 2 (significant
   
and observable).

 
12

 

7.
Stock-Based Compensation

On September 26, 2012, Nexstar’s majority shareholders approved the 2012 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) which provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance awards to directors, employees or consultants of Nexstar. Under the 2012 Plan, a maximum of 1,500,000 shares of Nexstar’s Class A common stock can be issued plus unissued available shares from Nexstar’s 2003 and 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plans.

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

As of September 30, 2012, $0.7 million of this liability was included in other current liabilities and
$3.8 million was included in deferred representation fee incentive in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company recognized $0.2 million of these incentives as a reduction in selling, general and administrative expense for each of the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 and $0.6 million for each of the nine months then ended.

 
13

 

9.
Income Taxes

The Company’s provision for income taxes is primarily comprised of deferred income taxes resulting from the amortization of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for income tax purposes which are not amortized for financial reporting purposes. No benefit has been recognized for the Company’s taxable losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 as the utilization of such losses is not more likely than not to be realized in the foreseeable future.

The deferred tax liabilities related to goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets do not reverse on a scheduled basis and are not used to support the realization of deferred tax assets. The Company’s deferred tax assets before valuation allowance primarily result from federal and state net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”). The Company’s NOLs are available to reduce future taxable income if utilized before their expiration. The Company has provided a valuation allowance for certain deferred tax assets as it does not believe they are more likely than not to be realized through future taxable earnings.

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

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

Media Ownership

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

The FCC is required to review its media ownership rules every four years and to eliminate those rules it finds no longer serve the “public interest, convenience and necessity.” During 2009, the FCC held a series of hearings designed to evaluate possible changes to its rules. In May 2010, the FCC formally initiated its 2010 review of its media ownership rules with the issuance of a Notice of Inquiry (NOI). Numerous parties filed comments and reply comments in response to the NOI. In June and July 2011, the FCC released to the public eleven economic studies related to its media ownership rules. In December 2011, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to seek 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 along the lines of the changes in the 2006 proceeding that the court vacated. 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. The Company cannot predict what rules the FCC will adopt or when they will be adopted.

 
14

 

Spectrum

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

Retransmission Consent

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

11.
Commitments and Contingencies
 
Guarantee of Mission Debt
 
    Nexstar and its subsidiaries guarantee full payment of all obligations incurred under Mission’s senior secured credit facility. In the event that Mission is unable to repay amounts due, Nexstar will be obligated to repay such amounts. The maximum potential amount of future payments that Nexstar would be required to make under this guarantee would be generally limited to the amount of borrowings outstanding. As of September 30, 2012, Mission had a maximum commitment of $48.1 million under its senior secured credit facility, which is also outstanding.

Indemnification Obligations
 
In connection with certain agreements into which the Company enters in the normal course of its business, including local service agreements, business acquisitions and borrowing arrangements, the Company enters into contractual arrangements under which the Company agrees to indemnify the other party to such arrangement from losses, claims and damages incurred by the indemnified party for certain events as defined within the particular contract. Such indemnification obligations may not be subject to maximum loss clauses and the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification arrangements may be unlimited. Historically, payments made related to these indemnifications have been immaterial and the Company has not incurred significant costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements.

Litigation
 
From time to time, the Company is involved with claims that arise out of the normal course of its business. In the opinion of management, any resulting liability with respect to these claims would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 
15

 

12.
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
The following condensed consolidating financial information presents the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, each of its 100%, directly or indirectly, owned subsidiaries and its consolidated VIE. This information is presented in lieu of separate financial statements and other related disclosures pursuant to Regulation S-X Rule 3-10 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered.”  

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

As discussed in Note 3 to the Company’s Financial Statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, the acquisition of WTVW by Mission was deemed under U.S. GAAP to be a change in reporting entity of Mission, thus the historical results of Mission have been presented as if WTVW was owned and operated by Mission as of the earliest period presented.

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

 
(a)  
7% Notes. The 7% Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Nexstar and Mission, subject to certain customary release provisions. These notes are not guaranteed by any other entities.

 
(b)  
7% PIK Notes. The 7% PIK Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Nexstar and Mission, subject to certain customary release provisions. These notes are not guaranteed by any other entities.

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

 
16

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
 
As of September 30, 2012
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
ASSETS
                                   
Current assets:
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ -     $ 11,801     $ 435     $ -     $ -     $ 12,236  
Due from Nexstar Broadcasting
    -       -       5,313       -       (5,313 )     -  
Other current assets
    -       81,561       7,466       -       -       89,027  
Total current assets
    -       93,362       13,214       -       (5,313 )     101,263  
Amounts due from subsidiary eliminated
                                               
upon consolidation
    11,810       -       -       -       (11,810 )     -  
Amounts due from parents eliminated
                                               
upon consolidation
    -       3,430       -       -       (3,430 )     -  
Property and equipment, net
    -       117,541       22,201       -       -       139,742  
Goodwill
    -       93,845       18,730       -       -       112,575  
FCC licenses
    -       119,569       21,939       -       -       141,508  
Other intangible assets, net
    -       53,459       11,465       -       -       64,924  
Other noncurrent assets
    -       40,156       11,191       -       -       51,347  
Total assets
  $ 11,810     $ 521,362     $ 98,740     $ -     $ (20,553 )   $ 611,359  
LIABILITIES AND
                                               
STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
                                               
Current liabilities:
                                               
Current portion of debt
  $ -     $ 1,110     $ 390     $ -     $ -     $ 1,500  
Due to Mission
    -       5,313       -       -       (5,313 )     -  
Other current liabilities
    -       58,726       19,153       -       (13,221 )     64,658  
Total current liabilities
    -       65,149       19,543       -       (18,534 )     66,158  
Debt
    -       566,015       366,848       -       (319,115 )     613,748  
Deficiencies in subsidiaries eliminated
                                               
upon consolidation
    195,365       -       -       180,123       (375,488 )     -  
Amounts due to subsidiary eliminated
                                               
upon consolidation
    -       -       -       15,240       (15,240 )     -  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    (3 )     70,321       21,410       2       -       91,730  
Total liabilities
    195,362       701,485       407,801       195,365       (728,377 )     771,636  
Stockholders' deficit:
                                               
Common stock
    290       -       -       -       -       290  
Other stockholders' deficit
    (183,842 )     (180,123 )     (309,061 )     (195,365 )     707,824       (160,567 )
Total stockholders' deficit
    (183,552 )     (180,123 )     (309,061 )     (195,365 )     707,824       (160,277 )
Total liabilities and
                                               
stockholders' deficit
  $ 11,810     $ 521,362     $ 98,740     $ -     $ (20,553 )   $ 611,359  

 
17

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
 
As of December 31, 2011
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
ASSETS
                                   
Current assets:
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ -     $ 5,648     $ 1,898     $ -     $ -     $ 7,546  
Due from Mission
    -       4,729       -       -       (4,729 )     -  
Other current assets
    -       83,417       5,886       -       -       89,303  
Total current assets
    -       93,794       7,784       -       (4,729 )     96,849  
Amounts due from subsidiary eliminated
                                               
upon consolidation
    10,077       -       -       -       (10,077 )     -  
Amounts due from parents eliminated
                                               
upon consolidation
    -       5,163       -       -       (5,163 )     -  
Property and equipment, net
    -       122,473       24,140       -       -       146,613  
Goodwill
    -       93,845       18,730       -       -       112,575  
FCC licenses
    -       119,569       21,939       -       -       141,508  
Other intangible assets, net
    -       66,243       15,276       -       -       81,519  
Other noncurrent assets
    -       12,783       3,187       -       -       15,970  
Total assets
  $ 10,077     $ 513,870     $ 91,056     $ -     $ (19,969 )   $ 595,034  
LIABILITIES AND
                                               
STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
                                               
Current liabilities:
                                               
Current portion of debt
  $ -     $ 1,110     $ 390     $ -     $ -     $ 1,500  
Due to Nexstar Broadcasting
    -       -       4,729       -       (4,729 )     -  
Other current liabilities
    -       50,517       11,222       -       (6,009 )     55,730  
Total current liabilities
    -       51,627       16,341       -       (10,738 )     57,230  
Debt
    -       594,136       363,087       -       (318,362 )     638,861  
Deficiencies in subsidiaries eliminated
                                               
upon consolidation
    210,753       -       -       195,511       (406,264 )     -  
Amounts due to subsidiary eliminated
                                               
upon consolidation
    -       -       -       15,240       (15,240 )     -  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    (3 )     63,618       18,730       2       -       82,347  
Total liabilities
    210,750       709,381       398,158       210,753       (750,604 )     778,438  
Stockholders' deficit:
                                               
Common stock
    288       -       -       -       -       288  
Other stockholders' deficit
    (200,961 )     (195,511 )     (307,102 )     (210,753 )     730,635       (183,692 )
Total stockholders' deficit
    (200,673 )     (195,511 )     (307,102 )     (210,753 )     730,635       (183,404 )
Total liabilities and
                                               
stockholders' deficit
  $ 10,077     $ 513,870     $ 91,056     $ -     $ (19,969 )   $ 595,034  

 
18

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
Net broadcast revenue (including
                                   
trade and barter)
  $ -     $ 85,245     $ 4,707     $ -     $ -     $ 89,952  
Revenue between consolidated
                                               
entities
    -       1,935       8,012       -       (9,947 )     -  
Net revenue
    -       87,180       12,719       -       (9,947 )     89,952  
Operating expenses (income):
                                               
Direct operating expenses,
                                               
excluding depreciation and
                                               
amortization
    -       20,117       1,833       -       -       21,950  
Selling, general, and
                                               
administrative expenses,
                                               
excluding depreciation and
                                               
amortization
    -       26,716       794       -       -       27,510  
Local service agreement fees
                                               
between consolidated entities
    -       8,012       1,935       -       (9,947 )     -  
Amortization of broadcast rights
    -       4,464       1,099       -       -       5,563  
Amortization of intangible assets
    -       4,210       1,270       -       -       5,480  
Depreciation
    -       5,195       701       -       -       5,896  
Gain on asset disposal, net
    -       (4 )     -       -       -       (4 )
Total operating expenses
    -       68,710       7,632       -       (9,947 )     66,395  
Income from operations
    -       18,470       5,087       -       -       23,557  
Interest expense, net
    -       (8,688 )     (3,750 )     -       -       (12,438 )
Equity in income of subsidiaries
    8,562       -       -       8,562       (17,124 )     -  
Income before income
                                               
taxes
    8,562       9,782       1,337       8,562       (17,124 )     11,119  
Income tax expense
    -       (1,220 )     (338 )     -       -       (1,558 )
Net income
  $ 8,562     $ 8,562     $ 999     $ 8,562     $ (17,124 )   $ 9,561  

 
19

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
Net broadcast revenue (including
                                   
trade and barter)
  $ -     $ 70,209     $ 4,630     $ -     $ -     $ 74,839  
Revenue between consolidated
                                               
entities
    -       1,785       6,469       -       (8,254 )     -  
Net revenue
    -       71,994       11,099       -       (8,254 )     74,839  
Operating expenses (income):
                                               
Direct operating expenses,
                                               
excluding depreciation and
                                               
amortization
    -       18,812       2,014       -       -       20,826  
Selling, general, and
                                               
administrative expenses,
                                               
excluding depreciation and
                                               
amortization
    -       25,236       1,110       -       -       26,346  
Local service agreement fees
            6,469       1,785               (8,254 )     -  
Amortization of broadcast rights
    -       5,458       1,192       -       -       6,650  
Amortization of intangible assets
    -       5,942       1,271       -       -       7,213  
Depreciation
    -       4,826       792       -       -       5,618  
Gain on asset disposal, net
    -       (55 )     (27 )     -       -       (82 )
Total operating expenses
    -       66,688       8,137       -       (8,254 )     66,571  
Income from operations
    -       5,306       2,962       -       -       8,268  
Interest expense, net
    -       (9,385 )     (3,684 )     -       -       (13,069 )
Equity in loss of subsidiaries
    (5,224 )             -       (5,224 )     10,448       -  
Loss before income taxes
    (5,224 )     (4,079 )     (722 )     (5,224 )     10,448       (4,801 )
Income tax expense
    -       (1,145 )     (313 )     -       -       (1,458 )
Net loss
  $ (5,224 )   $ (5,224 )   $ (1,035 )   $ (5,224 )   $ 10,448     $ (6,259 )

 
20

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
Net broadcast revenue (including
                                   
trade and barter)
  $ -     $ 248,521     $ 13,937     $ -     $ -     $ 262,458  
Revenue between consolidated
                                               
entities
    -       5,805       23,304       -       (29,109 )     -  
Net revenue
    -       254,326       37,241       -       (29,109 )     262,458  
Operating expenses (income):
                                               
Direct operating expenses,
                                               
excluding depreciation and
                                               
amortization
    -       60,583       5,347       -       -       65,930  
Selling, general, and
                                               
administrative expenses,
                                               
excluding depreciation and
                                               
amortization
    -       79,730       2,041       -       -       81,771  
Local service agreement fees
                                               
between consolidated entities
    -       23,304       5,805       -       (29,109 )     -  
Amortization of broadcast rights
    -       13,089       3,214       -       -       16,303  
Amortization of intangible assets
    -       12,784       3,811       -       -       16,595  
Depreciation
    -       15,217       2,142       -       -       17,359  
Gain on asset disposal, net
    -       (25 )     -       -       -       (25 )
Total operating expenses
    -       204,682       22,360       -       (29,109 )     197,933  
Income from operations
    -       49,644       14,881       -       -       64,525  
Interest expense, net
    -       (26,715 )     (11,206 )     -       -       (37,921 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    -       (497 )     -       -       -       (497 )
Equity in income of subsidiaries
    18,705       -       -       18,705       (37,410 )     -  
Income before income
                                               
taxes
    18,705       22,432       3,675       18,705       (37,410 )     26,107  
Income tax expense
    -       (3,727 )     (985 )     -       -       (4,712 )
Net income
  $ 18,705     $ 18,705     $ 2,690     $ 18,705     $ (37,410 )   $ 21,395  

 
21

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
Net broadcast revenue (including
                                   
trade and barter)
  $ -     $ 205,747     $ 14,542     $ -     $ -     $ 220,289  
Revenue between consolidated
                                               
entities
    -       5,355       19,985       -       (25,340 )     -  
Net revenue
    -       211,102       34,527       -       (25,340 )     220,289  
Operating expenses (income):
                                               
Direct operating expenses,
                                               
excluding depreciation and
                                               
amortization
    -       53,839       5,795       -       -       59,634  
Selling, general, and
                                               
administrative expenses,
                                               
excluding depreciation and
                                               
amortization
    -       72,962       3,351       -       -       76,313  
Local service agreement fees
                                               
between consolidated entities
    -       19,985       5,355       -       (25,340 )     -  
Amortization of broadcast rights
    -       14,065       3,434       -       -       17,499  
Amortization of intangible assets
    -       16,150       4,261       -       -       20,411  
Depreciation
    -       13,687       2,366       -       -       16,053  
(Gain) loss on asset disposal, net
    -       (32 )     52       -       -       20  
Total operating expenses
    -       190,656       24,614       -       (25,340 )     189,930  
Income from operations
    -       20,446       9,913       -       -       30,359  
Interest expense, net
    -       (27,574 )     (10,994 )     (1,514 )     -       (40,082 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    -       (458 )     -       (697 )     -       (1,155 )
Equity in loss of subsidiaries
    (13,138 )     -       -       (10,927 )     24,065       -  
Loss before income taxes
    (13,138 )     (7,586 )     (1,081 )     (13,138 )     24,065       (10,878 )
Income tax expense
    -       (3,341 )     (936 )     -       -       (4,277 )
Net loss
  $ (13,138 )   $ (10,927 )   $ (2,017 )   $ (13,138 )   $ 24,065     $ (15,155 )

 
22

 


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

 
23

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
         
Nexstar
         
Nexstar
         
Consolidated
 
   
Nexstar
   
Broadcasting
   
Mission
   
Holdings
   
Eliminations
   
Company
 
Cash flows provided by (used in)
                                   
operating activities
  $ -     $ 37,043     $ 931     $ (3,008 )   $ -     $ 34,966  
                                                 
Cash flows from investing
                                               
activities:
                                               
Purchases of property and
                                               
equipment
    -       (10,423 )     (419 )     -       -       (10,842 )
Payments for acquisitions
    -       (21,064 )     -       -       -       (21,064 )
Other investing activities
    -       76       18       -       -       94  
Net cash used in investing
                                               
activities
    -       (31,411 )     (401 )     -       -       (31,812 )
                                                 
Cash flows from financing
                                               
activities:
                                               
Proceeds from issuance of
                                               
long-term debt
    -       69,300       -       -       -       69,300  
Repayments of long-term debt
    -       (41,633 )     (292 )     (45,907 )     -       (87,832 )
Inter-company payments
    (67 )     (48,848 )     -       48,915       -       -  
Other financing activities
    67       (541 )     8       -       -       (466 )
Net cash (used in) provided by
                                               
financing activities
    -       (21,722 )     (284 )     3,008       -       (18,998 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash and
    -       (16,090 )     246       -       -       (15,844 )
cash equivalents
                                               
Cash and cash equivalents at
                                               
beginning of period
    -       22,408       1,250       -       -       23,658  
Cash and cash equivalents at
                                               
end of period
  $ -     $ 6,318     $ 1,496     $ -     $ -     $ 7,814  

 
24

 

12.
Subsequent Events

In October, 2012, Nexstar commenced the offering of $250.0 million of 6.875% Notes and launched a tender offer to repurchase the 7% Notes and the 7% PIK Notes.  Additionally, Nexstar and Mission each amended its respective senior secured credit agreement to allow for the offering and tender offer and adjust compliance ratios accordingly.  See Note 6 for additional information on these events.

On October 31, 2012, Nexstar entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of certain television stations in the Fresno, California, and Bakersfield, California markets from Newport.  On November 2, 2012, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of certain television stations in the Burlington, Vermont market from Smith Media. See Note 3 for additional information on these transactions.

On November 2, 2012, Nexstar filed a shelf registration statement registering 16.5 million shares of Class A common stock held by the majority stockholders of Nexstar’s common stock.  Additionally, the registration statement provides Nexstar the ability to offer Class A common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants of up to $300.0 million in aggregate in one or more offerings by Nexstar.

 
25

 

ITEM 2.                      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
    The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
    As used in the report, unless the context indicates otherwise, “Nexstar” refers to Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries Nexstar Finance Holdings, Inc. (“Nexstar Holdings”) and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (“Nexstar Broadcasting”), and “Mission” refers to Mission Broadcasting, Inc. All references to “we,” “our,” “ours,” and “us” refer to Nexstar. All references to the “Company” refer to Nexstar and Mission collectively.
 
    As a result of our deemed controlling financial interest in Mission, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), we consolidate the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Mission as if it were a wholly-owned entity. We believe this presentation is meaningful for understanding our financial performance. Refer to Note 2 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our determination that we are required to consolidate Mission’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows under the authoritative guidance for variable interest entities. Therefore, the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations includes Mission’s financial position and results of operations.
 
Executive Summary
 
2012 Highlights

•  
Net revenue during the third quarter of 2012 increased by $15.1 million, or 20.2 % as compared to the same period in 2011. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to the December 2011 acquisition of WEHT along with increases in retransmission compensation and political advertising, which were partially offset by the discontinuance of management fee revenue from our terminated management services agreement with Four Points. The newly acquired station contributed approximately $2.3 million to the consolidated net revenue for the third quarter of 2012.
 
•  
On July 18, 2012, Nexstar and Mission signed definitive agreements to acquire the assets of twelve television stations in eight markets and Inergize Digital Media operations from Newport for $285.5 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital acquired. The Company also received commitments for $445.0 million in new senior secured credit facilities consisting of $350.0 million in term loans due 2019 and $95.0 million in revolving credit due December 2017. We expect the Newport acquisitions to close in December 2012.
 
•  
On October 24, 2012, Nexstar commenced an offer to sell $250.0 million of 6.875% Notes due 2020 at par.  The sale of the 6.875% Notes is expected to be completed on or about November 9, 2012.  The proceeds of the 6.875% Notes will be used to retire the 7% Notes and 7% PIK Notes, repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under Nexstar’s senior secured credit facility and pay related fees and expenses.  The 6.875% Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Nexstar and will be guaranteed by Mission. On October 24, 2012, Nexstar commenced a tender offer to retire the 7% Notes and 7% PIK Notes for $1,003 per each $1,000 of outstanding principal plus accrued and unpaid interest. The tender offer will expire on November 21, 2012, unless extended or earlier terminated by Nexstar in its sole discretion.
 
•  
During the quarter, the Company borrowed $6.0 million, net, from its revolving loans under its senior secured credit facilities.
 
Overview of Operations

We owned and operated 36 television stations and seven digital multicast channels as of September 30, 2012. Additionally, as of September 30, 2012, we programmed or provided sales and other services to 19 additional television stations and four digital multicast channels through various local service agreements with their owners, including 17 television stations and four digital multicast channels owned and operated by Mission. All of the stations to which we provide programming, sales, or other services, including Mission, are wholly owned by independent third parties. See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q for a discussion of the local service agreements we have with Mission.

 
26

 

We also guarantee all obligations incurred under Mission’s senior secured credit facility. Similarly, Mission is a guarantor of our senior secured credit facility and senior subordinated notes. In consideration of our guarantee of Mission’s senior secured credit facility, Mission has granted us a purchase option to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission station, subject to FCC consent, for an amount equal to the greater of (1) seven times the station’s cash flow, as defined in the option agreement, less the amount of its indebtedness, as defined in the option agreement, or (2) the amount of its indebtedness. Additionally, on November 29, 2011, Mission’s shareholders granted us an option to purchase any or all of Mission’s stock, subject to FCC consent, for a price equal to the pro rata portion of the greater of (1) five times the stations’ cash flow, as defined in the agreement, reduced by the amount of indebtedness, as defined in the agreement, or (2) $100,000. These option agreements (which expire on various dates between 2012 and 2022) are freely exercisable or assignable by us without consent or approval by Mission or its shareholders. We expect these option agreements to be renewed upon expiration.

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

Seasonality
 
Advertising revenue is positively affected by strong local economies, national and regional political election campaigns, and certain events such as the Olympic Games or the Super Bowl. The Company’s stations’ advertising revenue is generally highest in the second and fourth quarters of each year, due in part to increases in consumer advertising in the spring and retail advertising in the period leading up to, and including, the holiday season. In addition, advertising revenue is generally higher during even-numbered years, when state, congressional and presidential elections occur and advertising airs during the Olympic Games. As 2012 is an election year, we expect an increase in political advertising revenue to be reported in 2012 compared to 2011.

 
27

 

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

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
Local
  $ 44,743       47.3     $ 43,343       56.1     $ 137,535       50.2     $ 132,266       58.0  
National
    19,308       20.4       16,302       21.1       55,543       20.3       47,719       20.9  
Political
    10,153       10.7       1,727       2.2       18,929       6.9       4,319       1.9  
Retransmission compensation
    15,102       16.0       9,982       12.9       44,881       16.3       27,099       11.9  
eMedia revenue
    4,482       4.7       4,207       5.4       13,041       4.8       11,963       5.3  
Network compensation
    191       0.2       234       0.3       585       0.2       776       0.3  
Management fee
    -       -       968       1.3       1,961       0.7       1,968       0.9  
Other
    528       0.7       574       0.7       1,760       0.6       1,746       0.8  
Total gross revenue
    94,507       100.0       77,337       100.0       274,235       100.0       227,856       100.0  
Less:  Agency commissions
    (9,661 )     (10.2 )     (7,622 )     (9.9 )     (27,344 )     (10.0 )     (22,967 )     (10.1 )
Net broadcast revenue
    84,846       89.8       69,715       90.1       246,891       90.0       204,889       89.9  
Trade and barter revenue
    5,106               5,124               15,567               15,400          
Net revenue
  $ 89,952             $ 74,839             $ 262,458             $ 220,289          

Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s operations (in thousands) and each component of operating expense as a percentage of net revenue:

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
Net revenue
  $ 89,952       100.0     $ 74,839       100.0     $ 262,458       100.0     $ 220,289       100.0  
Operating expenses (income):
                                                               
Corporate expenses
    5,891       6.5       5,094       6.8       16,424       6.2       14,428       6.5  
Station direct operating
                                                               
expenses, net of trade
    20,536       22.8       19,187       25.6       61,047       23.3       54,274       24.6  
Selling, general and
                                                               
administrative expenses
    21,619       24.0       21,252       28.4       65,347       24.9       61,885       28.1  
(Gain) loss on asset
                                                               
disposal, net
    (4 )     -       (82 )     (0.1 )     (25 )     -       20       -  
Trade and barter expense
    4,661       5.2       5,036       6.7       14,697       5.6       15,197       6.9  
Depreciation and
                                                               
amortization
    11,376       12.7       12,831       17.2       33,954       12.9       36,464       16.6  
Amortization of broadcast
                                                               
rights, excluding barter
    2,316       2.6       3,253       4.4       6,489       2.5       7,662       3.5  
Income from operations
  $ 23,557             $ 8,268             $ 64,525             $ 30,359          

 
28

 


Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Revenue
 
Gross local advertising revenue was $44.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $43.3 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $1.4 million, or 3.2%. The increase was primarily related to incremental advertising from our automotive customers and revenue from our acquired stations which more than offset the decrease associated with the termination of certain station affiliation agreements. Gross national advertising revenue was $19.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $16.3 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $3.0 million, or 18.4%, primarily attributable to the station acquired in the second half of 2011 and changes in mix between our local and national advertising revenues. Our largest advertiser category, automotive, represented 26.0% and 21.5% of local and national advertising revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Overall, this category increased by 30.0%, of which approximately 5.4% came from our acquired station. The other categories representing our top five were fast food/restaurants, which decreased 16.2%, furniture, which increased 9.1%, paid programming, which increased 1.5% and medical/healthcare, which increased 14.8%.

Gross political advertising revenue was $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $1.7 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $8.4 million, or 487.9%, as expected, due to 2012 being an election year.
 
Retransmission compensation was $15.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $10.0 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $5.1 million, or 51.3%. The increase in retransmission compensation was primarily the result of contracts providing for higher rates per subscriber during the year.
 
eMedia revenue, representing web-based advertising revenue generated at the Company’s stations, was $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $4.2 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $0.3 million or 6.5%. The increase in eMedia revenue is primarily attributable to eMedia sales efforts.
 
Operating Expenses
 
    Corporate expenses, related to costs associated with the centralized management of Nexstar’s and Mission’s stations, were $5.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $5.1 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $0.8 million, or 15.6%. This was due to an increase in legal and professional fees associated with our acquisitions and debt transactions of $0.5 million as well as increased bonus expense related to higher revenues in this political year of $0.2 million.
 
    Station direct operating expenses, consisting primarily of news, engineering and programming, and selling, general and administrative expenses (net of trade expense) were $42.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $40.4 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $1.7 million, or 4.2%. The increase was primarily due to expenses of the newly acquired station and an increase of $0.8 million in programming costs primarily due to the renewed network agreements entered into in 2011 and 2012.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in employee health claims of $1.2 million.
   
    Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter was $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $3.3 million for the same period in 2011, a decrease of $1.0 million, or 28.8%, of which $0.7 million is attributable to changes in sports programming on one of our stations.
 
    Amortization of intangible assets was $5.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $7.2 million for the same period in 2011, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 24.0%. The decrease was primarily due to termination of certain FOX affiliation contracts which were fully amortized in 2011, partially offset by incremental amortization from acquired stations.
 
Depreciation of property and equipment was $5.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $5.6 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $0.3 million, or 4.9%, primarily due to the incremental depreciation of fixed assets at our newly acquired stations.

 
29

 

Interest Expense
 
Interest expense, net was $12.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $13.1 million for the same period in 2011, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 4.8%. The decrease was primarily attributed to our redemption of notes with higher interest financed with our senior secured credit facility, as well as an overall reduction in debt.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income tax expense was $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $0.1 million, or 6.9%. The increase was due to the incremental goodwill and FCC licenses from our 2011 acquisitions. Our provision for income taxes is primarily created by changes in the position during the year arising from the amortization of goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets for income tax purposes, which are not amortized for financial reporting purposes. No tax benefit was recorded with respect to the losses in 2012 and 2011 as the utilization of such losses is not more likely than not to be realized in the foreseeable future.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Revenue
 
Gross local advertising revenue was $137.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $132.3 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $5.3 million, or 4.0%. The increase was primarily related to incremental advertising from our automotive customers and revenue from our acquired stations which more than offset a decrease associated with the termination of certain station affiliation agreements. Gross national advertising revenue was $55.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $47.7 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $7.8 million, or 16.4%, primarily attributable to the acquired stations and changes in mix between our local and national advertising revenues. Our largest advertiser category, automotive, represented 23.8% and 20.4% of local and national advertising revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Overall, this category increased by 25.7%, of which 8.5% was attributable to our acquired stations. The other categories representing our top five were fast food/restaurants, which decreased 7.8%, paid programming, which increased 4.2%, furniture, which increased 6.2% and medical/healthcare, which increased 13.1%.
 
Gross political advertising revenue was $18.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $14.6 million, or 338.3%, as expected, due to 2012 being an election year.
 
Retransmission compensation was $44.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $27.1 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $17.8 million, or 65.6%. The increase in retransmission compensation was primarily the result of our acquired stations and contracts providing for higher rates per subscriber in the current year.
 
eMedia revenue, representing web-based advertising revenue generated at the Company’s stations, was $13.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $12.0 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $1.1 million or 9.0%. The increase in eMedia revenue is attributable to our eMedia sales efforts and incremental revenue from acquired stations.

Management fee revenue was $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The 2012 revenue primarily represents a contract termination fee received upon closing of the sale of Four Points’ stations to Sinclair Broadcast Group. Management fee revenue was $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Operating Expenses
 
    Corporate expenses, related to costs associated with the centralized operation of Nexstar’s and Mission’s stations, were $16.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $14.4 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $2.0 million, or 13.8%. This was due to an increase in legal and professional fees associated with our acquisitions, debt transactions and the culmination of our strategic alternative process of $0.2 million, increase in payroll and payroll-related costs due to increased headcount related to acquisitions and operational initiatives of $0.7 million and increased bonus expense related to higher revenues in this political year of $0.6 million.

 
30

 
 
    Station direct operating expenses, consisting primarily of news, engineering and programming, and selling, general and administrative expenses (net of trade expense) were $126.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $116.2 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $10.2 million, or 8.8%. The increase was primarily due to expenses of the newly acquired stations, as well as an increase of $2.5 million in programming costs primarily due to the renewed network agreements entered into in 2011. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in employee health claims of $0.4 million.
 
    Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter was $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $7.7 million for the same period in 2011, a decrease of $1.2 million, or 15.3%. The decrease was primarily due to the changes in programming mix, which was partially offset by the incremental amortization of broadcast rights of newly acquired stations.
 
    Amortization of intangible assets was $16.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $20.4 million for the same period in 2011, a decrease of $3.8 million, or 18.7%. The decrease was primarily due to termination of certain FOX affiliation contracts which were fully amortized in 2011, partially offset by incremental amortization from acquired stations.
 
Depreciation of property and equipment was $17.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $16.1 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $1.3 million, or 8.1%, primarily due to the incremental depreciation of fixed assets at our newly acquired stations.
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense, net was $37.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $40.1 million for the same period in 2011, a decrease of $2.2 million, or 5.4%. The decrease in interest expense was primarily attributed to the buyback and redemption of notes with higher interest rates, financed with our senior secured credit facility, as well as an overall reduction in debt.
 
Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of $0.4 million, or 10.2%. The increase was due to the incremental goodwill and FCC licenses from our 2011 acquisitions.  Our provision for income taxes is primarily created by an increase in the deferred tax liability position arising from the amortization of goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets for income tax purposes, which are not amortized for financial reporting purposes. No tax expense or benefit was recorded with respect to the net income (loss) in 2012 and 2011 as the utilization of net operating losses is not more likely than not to be realized in the foreseeable future.

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


 
31

 

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

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 68,729     $ 34,966  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (39,539 )     (31,812 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (24,500 )     (18,998 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 4,690     $ (15,844 )
Cash paid for interest
  $ 32,693     $ 34,208  
Cash paid for income taxes, net
  $ 522     $ 499  

 
As of
 
As of
 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 12,236     $ 7,546  
Long-term debt including current portion
    615,248       640,361  
Unused commitments under senior secured credit facilities(1) 
    42,000       50,700  
               
  (1 )
Based on covenant calculations, as of September 30, 2012, all of the $42 million of total unused revolving
 
     
loan commitments under the Nexstar and Mission senior secured credit facilities were available for borrowing.
 

Cash Flows – Operating Activities
 
Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $33.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net revenue of $42.2 million and a decrease in cash paid for interest of $1.5 million which was partially offset by incremental expenses of newly acquired businesses.

Cash paid for interest decreased by $1.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. The decrease was due to the $2.8 million decrease in cash paid for interest of our 11.375% senior discount notes redeemed in 2011, which was partially offset by a $1.0 million increase in cash interest paid on the senior secured credit facilities due to larger amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility and a $0.5 million increase in cash interest paid on the 7% PIK Notes, which converted to cash pay in July 2011.

Due to our and Mission’s recent history of net operating losses, we and Mission currently do not pay any federal income taxes. These net operating losses may be carried forward, subject to expiration and certain limitations, and used to reduce taxable earnings in future years. Through the use of available loss carryforwards, it is possible that we and Mission may not pay significant amounts of federal income taxes in the foreseeable future.

Cash Flows – Investing Activities
 
Net cash used in investing activities increased by $7.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. In 2012, the Company made a $28.6 million escrow payment for the acquisition of twelve television stations in eight markets and Inergize Digital Media operations from Newport. In 2011, we spent a total of $21.1 million for the acquisition of WFRV, WJMN and GoLocal.Biz and escrow payment for the acquisition of WEHT.


 
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Cash Flows – Financing Activities
 
Net cash used in financing activities was $24.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $19.0 million for the same period in 2011. In 2012, we completed a partial redemption of $34.0 million of our outstanding 7% Notes, borrowed a net amount of $8.7 million on our revolving loans and paid the contractual maturities under our senior secured credit facilities, for a total payment of $1.1 million. These repayments were partially offset by $1.0 million of proceeds from stock option exercises. In 2011, we completed the redemption of $45.9 million of our outstanding 11.375% Notes, repurchased $7.5 million of our outstanding 7% Notes and $24.2 million of our outstanding 7% PIK Notes, as well as paid amounts due under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities of $1.0 million, borrowed an additional $50 million of term loan with the amendment to our senior secured credit facility and borrowed a net $6.8 million on our revolving loans.

Although our senior secured credit facility limits, but does not prohibit, the payment of cash dividends to common stockholders, we and Mission do not currently intend to declare or pay a cash dividend.

Future Sources of Financing and Debt Service Requirements
 
As of September 30, 2012, Nexstar and Mission had total combined debt of $615.2 million, which represented 135.2% of Nexstar and Mission’s combined capitalization. Our and Mission’s high level of debt requires that a substantial portion of cash flow be dedicated to pay principal and interest on debt, which reduces the funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes.

Nexstar and Mission had $42.0 million of total unused revolving loan commitments under our respective senior secured credit facilities, all of which was available for borrowing, based on the covenant calculations as of September 30, 2012. The Company’s ability to access funds under its senior secured credit facilities depends, in part, on our compliance with certain financial covenants. Any additional drawings under senior secured credit facilities will reduce our future borrowing capacity and the amount of total unused revolving loan commitments.

On October 24, 2012, Nexstar commenced an offer to sell $250.0 million of 6.875% Notes at par.  The sale of the 6.875% Notes is expected to be completed on or about November 9, 2012.  The proceeds of the 6.875% Notes will be used to retire the 7% Notes and 7% PIK Notes, repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under Nexstar’s senior secured credit facility and pay related fees and expenses.  The 6.875% Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Nexstar and will be guaranteed by Mission. On October 24, 2012, Nexstar commenced a tender offer to retire the 7% Notes and the 7% PIK Notes for $1,003 per each $1,000 of outstanding principal plus accrued and unpaid interest.  The tender offer will expire on November 21, 2012, unless extended or earlier terminated by Nexstar in its sole discretion.

On July 19, 2012, Nexstar and Mission have received commitments for new $445.0 million senior secured credit facilities consisting of $350.0 million in term loans due in 2019 and $95.0 million in revolving loans due December 2017. The Company will use the proceeds of these loans to finance the acquisitions from Newport, as well as repayment of debt outstanding under the Company’s existing senior secured credit facilities.
 
On May 11, 2012, Nexstar redeemed $34.0 million of its 7% Notes at 100.0%. The redemption was funded with cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

The following table summarizes the approximate aggregate amount of principal indebtedness scheduled to mature for the periods referenced as of September 30, 2012 (in thousands):

         
Remainder
                   
   
Total
   
of 2012
      2013-2014       2015-2016    
Thereafter
 
Nexstar senior secured credit facility
  $ 131,878     $ 278     $ 25,220     $ 106,380     $ -  
Mission senior secured credit facility
    48,122       97       10,780       37,245       -  
8.875% senior secured second lien notes
                                       
due 2017
    325,000       -       -       -       325,000  
7% senior subordinated notes due 2014
    3,912       -       3,912       -       -  
7% senior subordinated PIK notes due 2014.
    112,593       -       112,593       -       -  
    $ 621,505     $ 375     $ 152,505     $ 143,625     $ 325,000  

 
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    The Company makes semiannual interest payments on our 8.875% Notes on April 15 and October 15 of each year. We make semiannual interest payments on our 7% Notes on January 15 and July 15 of each year. We began paying cash interest on our 7% PIK Notes in July 2011. Interest payments on our and Mission’s senior secured credit facilities are generally paid every one to three months and are payable based on the type of interest rate selected.
 
    The terms of the Nexstar and Mission senior secured credit facilities, as well as the indentures governing our respective notes, limit, but do not prohibit us or Mission from incurring substantial amounts of additional debt in the future.
 
    We do not have any rating downgrade triggers that would accelerate the maturity dates of our debt. However, a downgrade in our credit rating could adversely affect our ability to renew existing credit facilities, obtain access to new credit facilities or otherwise issue debt in the future and could increase the cost of such debt.

Debt Covenants
 
Our senior secured credit facility contains covenants that require us to comply with certain financial ratios, including: (a) a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio, (b) a maximum consolidated first lien indebtedness ratio, and (c) a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio. The covenants, which are calculated on a quarterly basis, include the combined results of Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission. Mission’s senior secured credit facility does not contain financial covenant ratio requirements; however, it does include an event of default if Nexstar does not comply with all covenants contained in its credit agreement. The 7% Notes, 7% PIK Notes and 8.875% Notes contain restrictive covenants customary for borrowing arrangements of this type. We believe we and Mission will be able to maintain compliance with all covenants contained in the credit agreements governing our senior secured facilities and the indentures governing our respective notes for a period of at least the next twelve months from September 30, 2012.
 
No Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of September 30, 2012, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. All of our arrangements with Mission are on-balance sheet arrangements. Our variable interests in other entities are obtained through local service agreements, which have valid business purposes and transfer certain station activities from the station owners to us. We are, therefore, not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

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

Information with respect to our critical accounting policies which we believe could have the most significant effect on our reported results and require subjective or complex judgments by management is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Management believes that as of September 30, 2012 there has been no material change to this information.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
    Refer to Note 2 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements, including our expected date of adoption and effects on results of operations and financial position.
 

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

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ from this projection or assumption in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial position and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and inherent risks and uncertainties, including those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made only as of the date hereof, and we do not have or undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances unless otherwise required by law.

ITEM 3.                   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our long-term debt obligations.
 
The term loan borrowings at September 30, 2012 under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities bear interest at a rate of 5%, which represented the base rate, or LIBOR, plus the applicable margin, as defined. The revolving loans bear interest at LIBOR plus the applicable margin, which totaled 4.4% at September 30, 2012. Interest is payable in accordance with the credit agreements.
 
If LIBOR were to increase by 100 basis points, or one percentage point, from its September 30, 2012 level, the Company’s annual interest expense would increase and cash flow from operations would decrease by approximately $0.9 million, based on the outstanding balances of our and Mission’s senior secured credit facilities as of September 30, 2012. Due to the LIBOR floor on our term loans, an increase of 50 basis points in LIBOR would have a $0.2 million impact on our operations and cash flows and any decrease in LIBOR would have a $0.1 million impact on our operations and cash flows. Our 7% Notes, our 8.875% Notes and our 7% PIK Notes are fixed rate debt obligations and therefore are not exposed to market interest rate changes. As of September 30, 2012, we have no financial instruments in place to hedge against changes in the benchmark interest rates on the Company’s senior secured credit facilities.
 
Impact of Inflation
 
We believe that our results of operations are not affected by moderate changes in the inflation rate.

ITEM 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Nexstar’s management, with the participation of its President and Chief Executive Officer along with its Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Nexstar’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 

 
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Based upon that evaluation, Nexstar’s President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, Nexstar’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to Nexstar’s management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
    During the quarterly period as of the end of the period covered by this report, there have been no changes in Nexstar’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
From time to time, Nexstar and Mission are involved in litigation that arises from the ordinary operations of business, such as contractual or employment disputes or other general actions. In the event of an adverse outcome of these proceedings, Nexstar and Mission believe the resulting liabilities would not have a material adverse effect on Nexstar’s and Mission’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
 
There are no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
ITEM 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
None.
 
ITEM 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None.
 
ITEM 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

None.
 
ITEM 5.
Other Information
 
The unaudited financial statements of Mission Broadcasting, Inc. as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, as filed in Mission Broadcasting, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, are incorporated herein by reference.


 
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ITEM 6.
Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2012, by and among Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Newport Television LLC and Newport Television License LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on July 24, 2012).
10.2
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).
10.3
 
Addendum to Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of September 11, 2012, between Perry A. Sook and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on September 17, 2012).
10.4
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. on October 2, 2012).
10.5
Sixth Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2012 (Executed on September 27, 2012), 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 October 3, 2012).
10.6
Seventh Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2012, 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 October 25, 2012).
10.7
Fourth Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2012 (Executed on September 27, 2012), 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 October 3, 2012).
10.8
Fifth Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2012, 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 October 25, 2012).
31.1
Certification of Perry A. Sook pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2
Certification of Thomas E. Carter pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1
Certification of Perry A. Sook pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350.*
32.2
Certification of Thomas E. Carter pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350.*

*           Filed herewith

 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.
 
 
/S/ PERRY A. SOOK
By:
Perry A. Sook
Its:
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
   
 
/S/ THOMAS E. CARTER
By:
Thomas E. Carter
Its:
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
 
Dated: November 8, 2012


 
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