Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

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 March 31, 2006

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 Organization

or Incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

909 Lake Carolyn Parkway, Suite 1450

Irving, Texas 75039

  (972) 373-8800
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)   (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 


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

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share   The Nasdaq Stock Market’s National Market

 


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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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 April 30, 2006, the Registrant had outstanding:

14,289,310 shares of Class A Common Stock;

13,411,588 shares of Class B Common Stock; and

662,529 shares of Class C Common Stock

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page
PART I    FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
  ITEM 1.    Financial Statements (Unaudited)   
     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005    1
     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005    2
     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005    3
     Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    4
  ITEM 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    29
  ITEM 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    36
  ITEM 4.    Controls and Procedures    37
PART II    OTHER INFORMATION   
  ITEM 1.    Legal Proceedings    38
  ITEM 1A.    Risk Factors    38
  ITEM 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    38
  ITEM 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities    38
  ITEM 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    38
  ITEM 5.    Other Information    38
  ITEM 6.    Exhibits    38
EXHIBIT INDEX    38

 

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share information)

 

    

March 31,

2006

   

December 31,

2005

 
     (Unaudited)  
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 11,825     $ 13,487  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $889 and $863, respectively

     45,971       46,706  

Current portion of broadcast rights

     8,514       12,574  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,730       1,980  

Property held for sale

     400       516  
                

Total current assets

     68,440       75,263  

Property and equipment, net

     96,537       98,156  

Broadcast rights

     4,418       3,704  

Goodwill

     146,258       146,258  

FCC licenses

     138,437       138,437  

Other intangible assets, net

     203,483       209,536  

Other noncurrent assets

     8,726       8,727  
                

Total assets

   $ 666,299     $ 680,081  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT     

Current liabilities:

    

Current portion of debt

   $ 3,485     $ 3,485  

Current portion of broadcast rights payable

     8,944       13,169  

Accounts payable

     9,134       9,176  

Accrued expenses

     12,182       12,115  

Taxes payable

     253       249  

Interest payable

     2,998       6,556  

Deferred revenue

     5,102       4,369  
                

Total current liabilities

     42,098       49,119  

Debt

     641,014       643,020  

Broadcast rights payable

     5,307       4,639  

Deferred tax liabilities

     35,507       34,256  

Deferred revenue

     3,109       3,207  

Deferred gain on sale of assets

     6,131       6,240  

Other liabilities

     6,007       5,625  
                

Total liabilities

     739,173       746,106  
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ deficit:

    

Preferred stock - $0.01 par value, authorized 200,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding at both March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005

     —         —    

Common stock:

    

Class A Common - $0.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 14,289,310 at both March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005

     143       143  

Class B Common - $0.01 par value, authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 13,411,588 at both March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005

     134       134  

Class C Common - $0.01 par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 662,529 at both March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005

     7       7  

Additional paid-in capital

     392,831       392,393  

Accumulated deficit

     (465,989 )     (458,702 )
                

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (72,874 )     (66,025 )
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 666,299     $ 680,081  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
     2006     2005  
     (Unaudited)  

Net revenue

   $ 59,826     $ 53,312  
                

Operating expenses:

    

Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

     17,388       16,197  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

     20,378       18,095  

Amortization of broadcast rights

     5,228       6,158  

Amortization of intangible assets

     6,053       6,762  

Depreciation

     4,626       4,423  

Loss on asset disposal, net

     64       109  
                

Total operating expenses

     53,737       51,744  
                

Income from operations

     6,089       1,568  

Interest expense, including amortization of debt financing costs

     (12,242 )     (13,075 )

Interest income

     117       39  

Other income (expenses), net

     —         (48 )
                

Loss before income taxes

     (6,036 )     (11,516 )

Income tax expense

     (1,251 )     (1,292 )
                

Net loss

   $ (7,287 )   $ (12,808 )
                

Net loss per common share:

    

Basic and diluted

   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.45 )

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

    

Basic and diluted

     28,363       28,363  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
     2006     2005  
     (Unaudited)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (7,287 )   $ (12,808 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Deferred income taxes

     1,251       1,253  

Provision for bad debts

     153       334  

Depreciation of property and equipment

     4,626       4,423  

Amortization of intangible assets

     6,053       6,762  

Amortization of debt financing costs

     291       518  

Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter

     2,096       2,685  

Payments for broadcast rights

     (2,302 )     (2,637 )

Loss on asset disposal, net

     64       109  

Deferred gain recognition

     (109 )     (109 )

Amortization of debt discount

     2,865       2,741  

Stock-based compensation expense

     438       —    

Effect of accounting for derivative instruments

     —         (197 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

    

Accounts receivable

     582       6,063  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     250       638  

Other noncurrent assets

     (409 )     (792 )

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     25       (1,033 )

Taxes payable

     4       317  

Interest payable

     (3,558 )     2,626  

Deferred revenue

     635       264  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     382       117  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     6,050       11,274  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Additions to property and equipment

     (2,982 )     (2,874 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

     141       22  

Acquisition of broadcast properties and related transaction costs

     —         (12,481 )
                

Net cash used for investing activities

     (2,841 )     (15,333 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Repayment of long-term debt

     (4,871 )     (1,587 )

Proceeds from revolver draws

     —         1,000  

Payments for debt financing costs

     —         —    
                

Net cash used for financing activities

     (4,871 )     (587 )
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (1,662 )     (4,646 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     13,487       18,505  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 11,825     $ 13,859  
                

Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for interest, net

   $ 12,640     $ 7,380  

Cash refunded for income taxes, net

   $ 4     $ 109  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization and Business Operations

As of March 31, 2006, Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (“Nexstar”) owned, operated, programmed or provided sales and other services to 46 television stations, 45 of which are affiliated with the NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox or UPN television networks and one of which is an independent station, in markets located in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Montana and Maryland. Through various local service agreements, Nexstar provided sales, programming and other services to stations 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.

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.

On January 24, 2006, the owners of UPN and WB announced that the two television networks will merge to form a new network called The CW. The Company operates 3 UPN affiliated stations located in Wichita Falls, Texas; Champaign, Illinois; and Utica, New York. These three UPN affiliated stations will not be joining The CW network. Instead, these three stations will become affiliates of My Network TV, a new primetime programming network to be launched in September 2006. Nexstar’s and Mission’s management believe the change in affiliation for these three stations will not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Interim Financial Statements

The condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2006 and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 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 (“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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The balance sheet at December 31, 2005 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nexstar and its subsidiaries. Also included in the financial statements are the accounts of independently-owned Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (“Mission”) (Nexstar and Mission are collectively referred to as “the Company”) and may include certain other entities where it is determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation on Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (“FIN No. 46”) as revised in December 2003 (“FIN No. 46R”).

All intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Mission

Mission is included in these condensed consolidated financial statements because Nexstar is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in Mission for financial reporting purposes in accordance with FIN No. 46R as a result of (a) local service agreements Nexstar has with the Mission stations, (b) Nexstar’s guarantee of the obligations incurred under Mission’s senior credit facility and (c) purchase options granted by Mission’s sole shareholder which will permit Nexstar to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission station, subject to Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) consent. As of March 31, 2006, the assets of Mission consisted of current assets of $1.4 million (excluding broadcast rights), broadcast rights of $2.4 million, FCC licenses of $28.7 million, goodwill of $16.7 million, other intangible assets of $46.2 million, property and equipment of $20.5 million and other noncurrent assets of $0.6 million. Substantially all of Mission’s assets, except for its FCC licenses, collateralize its secured debt obligation.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued)

Nexstar has entered into local service agreements with Mission to provide sales and/or operating services to the Mission stations. The following table summarizes the various local service agreements Nexstar had in effect with Mission as of March 31, 2006:

 

Service Agreements

  

Mission Stations

TBA Only(1)    WFXP and KHMT
SSA & JSA (2)    KJTL, KJBO-LP, KOLR, KCIT, KCPN-LP, KAMC, KRBC, KSAN, WUTR, WFXW, WYOU, KODE and WTVO

(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. The SSA allows the sharing of services including news production, technical maintenance and security, in exchange for Nexstar’s right to receive certain payments from Mission as described in the SSAs. The JSAs permit Nexstar to sell and retain a percentage of the net revenue from the station’s advertising time in return for monthly payments to Mission of the remaining percentage of net revenue, as described in the JSAs.

Nexstar does not own Mission or Mission’s television stations; however, Nexstar is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in them under U.S. GAAP while complying with the FCC’s rules regarding ownership limits in television markets. In order for both Nexstar and Mission to comply with FCC regulations, 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 stations in markets in which the Company owns and operates a station. Local service agreement is a general term used to refer to a contract between two 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.

VIEs in connection with local service agreements entered into with stations in markets in which the Company owns and operates a station are discussed below.

Nexstar has determined that it has a variable interest in WYZZ, the Fox affiliate in Peoria, Illinois, owned by a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Inc. (“Sinclair”), as a result of an outsourcing agreement it entered into effective December 1, 2001 to provide certain non-programming related engineering, production, sales and administrative services for WYZZ. The outsourcing agreement expires in December 2008, but at any time it may be canceled by either party upon 180 days written notice. Nexstar has evaluated its arrangement with Sinclair and has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest, and therefore, has not consolidated WYZZ under FIN No. 46R. Nexstar made payments to Sinclair under the outsourcing agreement of $0.3 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005.

Nexstar has determined that it has a variable interest in WUHF, the Fox affiliate in Rochester, New York, owned by a subsidiary of Sinclair, as a result of an outsourcing agreement it entered into effective September 1, 2005 to provide certain non-programming related engineering, production, sales and administrative services for WUHF. The outsourcing agreement expires in December 2012, but at any time it may be canceled by either party upon 180 days written notice. Nexstar has evaluated its arrangement with Sinclair and has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest, and therefore, has not consolidated WUHF under FIN No. 46R. Nexstar made payments to Sinclair under the outsourcing agreement of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

Nexstar has determined that it has a variable interest in KTVE, the NBC affiliate in El Dorado, Arkansas, owned by Piedmont Television of Monroe/El Dorado LLC (“Piedmont”), as a result of a JSA and SSA entered into effective March 21, 2001 which (a) under the JSA, permits Piedmont to sell to advertisers all of the time available for commercial advertisements on KARD, the Nexstar television station in the related market, in return for a monthly fee paid to Nexstar, and (b) under the SSA, Nexstar shares with Piedmont the costs of certain services and procurements, which they individually require in connection with the ownership and operation of their respective television station. The terms of the JSA and SSA with Piedmont are 10 years and may be extended automatically for two additional 10-year terms unless the agreements are otherwise terminated. Nexstar has evaluated its arrangement with Piedmont and has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest, and therefore, has not consolidated KTVE under FIN No. 46R. Nexstar received payments from Piedmont under the JSA of approximately $0.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued)

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 service agreements consist of the fees paid to Sinclair. Additionally, Nexstar indemnifies the owners of KTVE, 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.

Basis of Presentation

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

Stock-Based Compensation

Nexstar has a stock-based employee compensation plan which is described more fully in Note 7. On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”) which requires companies to expense the fair value of employee stock options and other forms of stock-based employee compensation in the financial statements (see “Adoption of SFAS No. 123(R)”).

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company had accounted for Nexstar’s stock-based employee compensation plan using the intrinsic value method of expense recognition prescribed by Accounting Principle Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB No. 25”), and related interpretations, which was permitted as an alternative to the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS No. 123”). The Company applied the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123 and made pro forma disclosure as if the fair value of stock options had been expensed under the accounting prescribed by SFAS No. 123. Under the intrinsic value method of accounting of APB No. 25, compensation expense was not recognized when stock options were granted with an exercise price greater than or equal to the fair market value of Nexstar’s common stock on the date of the grant.

The following table illustrates the pro forma effect on the net loss and net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2005 if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation.

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
2005
 
    

(in thousands,
except per

share amounts)

 

Net loss, as reported

   $ (12,808 )

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effect

     (366 )
        

Pro forma net loss

   $ (13,174 )
        

Basic and diluted net loss per common share, as reported

   $ (0.45 )

Basic and diluted net loss per common share, pro forma

   $ (0.46 )

Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Potential common shares consist of stock options granted to employees. There is no difference between basic and diluted net loss per share since the effect of stock options is not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, as the effect would be anti-dilutive. Stock options for 2,124,055 and 2,123,000 weighted-average common shares were outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, but were not included in the diluted per share computation because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common stock. Stock options for 787,222 weighted-average common shares were in-the-money during the three months ended March 31, 2006, but were not included in the diluted per share computation because the Company had a net loss. There were no in-the-money stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2005.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued)

Adoption of SFAS No. 123(R)

On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) which requires companies to expense the fair value of employee stock options and other forms of stock-based employee compensation in the financial statements over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. Under SFAS 123(R), the Company measures compensation cost related to stock options based on the grant-date fair value of the award using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and recognizes it ratably, less estimated forfeitures, over the vesting term of the award. The Company elected to use the modified prospective transition method and has recognized compensation expense for (i) all stock options granted after December 31, 2005 based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R), and (ii) the unvested portion of stock options granted prior to January 1, 2006 based on the fair values previously calculated for SFAS No. 123 pro forma disclosure purposes. Accordingly, because the Company applied a prospective transition method, prior period financial statements have not been adjusted to reflect compensation expense under the fair-value recognition provisions of this Statement. At December 31, 2005, the aggregate value of the unvested portion of previously issued stock options was approximately $6.1 million. Compensation cost related to these stock options is being recognized as expense ratably over the remaining vesting period of the awards which become fully-vested in 2010.

The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes calculation for option grants during the three months ended March 31, 2006, were as follows:

 

Volatility factor

     44.77 %

Risk-free interest rate

     4.31 %

Expected life

     6.5 years  

Dividend yield

     0 %

Fair value per share of options granted

   $ 2.39  

The expected volatility assumption used for stock option grants in 2006 is based on a combination of the historical market prices of Nexstar’s common stock and volatilities of peer companies in the television broadcasting industry over the expected term of the granted option. The Company utilized peer company data due to Nexstar’s limited history of publicly traded shares. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, Nexstar granted stock options with “plain vanilla” characteristics and has estimated the expected term assumption using the simplified method provided in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. The Company utilized the simplified method of estimating expected term based on its lack of option exercise history. The risk-free interest rate is based on the daily U.S. Treasury yield curve rate in effect at the time of the grant having a period commensurate with the expected term.

As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R), Nexstar recorded $0.4 million ($0.01 per basic and diluted share) of compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2006 which was included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company does not currently recognize a tax benefit resulting from compensation costs expensed in the financial statements because the Company provides a valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset resulting from this type of temporary difference since it expects that it will not have sufficient future taxable income to realize such benefit. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) has had no impact on income tax expense reported in the financial statements. The ongoing impact of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) will depend on, among other factors, the market price of Nexstar’s common stock, the terms, number and timing of future stock option award grants. However, based on the awards currently known to be outstanding, Nexstar anticipates that the impact of adopting SFAS 123(R) will result in annual expense in 2006 of approximately $1.6 million. This estimate does not include the impact of additional awards, which may be granted, or forfeitures, which may occur, but are not presently known.

Prior to January 1, 2006, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, Nexstar accounted for stock-based compensation to employees using the intrinsic value method of APB No. 25 and, as such, did not recognize compensation cost for employee stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2005 as all options granted under its stock-based employee compensation plan had an exercise price greater than or equal to the market price of Nexstar’s common stock on the date of the grant.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 155, “Accounting for Hybrid Financial Instruments – an amendment to of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140” (SFAS No. 155”). SFAS No. 155 provides a fair value measurement option for certain hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation. Under SFAS No. 155, an entity must irrevocably elect, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, to apply fair value accounting to a hybrid financial instrument in its entirety in lieu of separately accounting for the instrument as a host contract and derivative instrument. Additionally, SFAS No. 155 clarifies that both interest-only and principal-only strips are not subject to the provision of SFAS No. 133 and establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding versus those that are embedded derivatives. SFAS No. 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006, which for the Company is January 1, 2007. Earlier adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year. The Company will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 155 beginning in fiscal 2007. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this Statement will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, which will primarily depend on the types of hybrid financial instruments the Company issues or acquires in the future.

3. Property and Equipment

Property Held for Sale

During the second quarter of 2005, management committed to a plan to sell buildings in Abilene, Texas and Utica, New York, which were vacated after the Company finalized consolidation of its station operations in these markets. Accordingly, the buildings, building improvements and land have been recorded at their estimated fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is based on management’s estimate of the amount that could be realized from the sale of the properties in a current transaction between willing parties. The estimate is derived from professional appraisals and quotes obtained from local real estate brokers. On January 31, 2006, the Utica property was sold for cash proceeds of $0.1 million, which approximated the carrying value of the assets. The carrying value of assets held for sale at March 31, 2006 was $0.4 million.

Analog Transmission Equipment

On February 8, 2006, President Bush signed into law legislation that establishes a February 17, 2009 deadline for television broadcasters to complete their transition to digital transmission and return their analog spectrum to the FCC. As a result, the Company reassessed the estimated useful lives of its analog transmission equipment and has accelerated the depreciation of certain equipment affected by the digital conversion. Equipment having a net book value of approximately $9.8 million as of February 1, 2006, which was previously being depreciated over various remaining useful lives which extend from 2010 to 2020, is now being depreciated over a remaining useful life of three years. This change will increase annual depreciation expense by approximately $2.3 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, the accelerated depreciation of analog transmission equipment increased depreciation expense and net loss by approximately $0.4 million ($0.01 per basic and diluted share).

4. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:

 

    

Estimated

useful life

(years)

   March 31, 2006    December 31, 2005
      Gross    Accumulated
Amortization
    Net    Gross   

Accumulated

Amortization

    Net
               (in thousands)               (in thousands)      

Network affiliation agreements

   15    $ 335,588    $ (142,325 )   $ 193,263    $ 335,588    $ (136,729 )   $ 198,859

Other definite-lived intangible assets

   1-15      23,132      (12,912 )     10,220      23,132      (12,455 )     10,677
                                              

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

      $ 358,720    $ (155,237 )   $ 203,483    $ 358,720    $ (149,184 )   $ 209,536
                                              

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

4. Intangible Assets and Goodwill — (Continued)

The aggregate carrying value of indefinite-lived intangible assets, consisting of FCC licenses and goodwill, was $284.7 million at both March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005. 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 March 31, 2006, the Company did not identify any events that would trigger an impairment assessment.

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the periods ended March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 was as follows:

 

     March 31,
2006
   December 31,
2005
     (in thousands)

Beginning balance

   $ 146,258    $ 145,576

Acquisitions

     —        682
             

Ending balance

   $ 146,258    $ 146,258
             

The consummation of the acquisitions of WTVO and KFTA/KNWA during 2005 increased goodwill by approximately $0.7 million.

Total amortization expense from definite-lived intangibles for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $6.1 million and $6.8 million, respectively. The Company’s estimate of amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets recorded on its books as of March 31, 2006 is approximately $25 million for years of 2006 and 2007, approximately $24 million for years of 2008 and 2009 and approximately $23 million for the year of 2010.

5. Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following:

 

     March 31,
2006
   December 31,
2005
     (in thousands)

Compensation and related taxes

   $ 3,727    $ 3,524

Sales commissions

     1,315      1,249

Employee benefits

     1,021      994

Property taxes

     802      697

Other accruals related to operating expenses

     5,317      5,651
             
   $ 12,182    $ 12,115
             

6. Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

     March 31
2006
    December 31,
2005
 
     (in thousands)  

Term loans

   $ 342,758     $ 347,629  

7% senior subordinated notes due 2014, net of discount of $2,403 and $2,460

     197,597       197,540  

11.375% senior discount notes due 2013, net of discount of $25,856 and $28,664

     104,144       101,336  
                
     644,499       646,505  

Less: current portion

     (3,485 )     (3,485 )
                
   $ 641,014     $ 643,020  
                

The Nexstar Senior Secured Credit Facility

The Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (“Nexstar Broadcasting”), an indirect subsidiary of Nexstar, senior secured credit facility (the “Nexstar Facility”) consists of a Term Loan B and a $50.0 million revolving loan. As of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, Nexstar Broadcasting had $170.9 million and $175.4 million, respectively, outstanding under its Term Loan B and no borrowings were outstanding under its revolving loan.

The Term Loan B, which matures in October 2012, is payable in consecutive quarterly installments amortized at 0.25% quarterly, which commenced on December 30, 2005, with the remaining 93.25% due at maturity. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, repayments of Nexstar’s Term Loan B included a voluntary repayment of $4.0 million. The revolving loan is not subject to incremental reduction and matures in April 2012.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

6. Debt—(Continued)

The total weighted average interest rate of the Nexstar Facility was 6.73% and 6.28% at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. Interest is payable periodically based on the type of interest rate selected. Additionally, Nexstar Broadcasting is required to pay quarterly commitment fees on the unused portion of its revolving loan commitment ranging from 0.375% to 0.50% per annum, based on the consolidated senior leverage ratio of Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission for that particular quarter.

The Mission Senior Secured Credit Facility

The Mission senior secured credit facility (the “Mission Facility”) consists of a Term Loan B and a $47.5 million revolving loan. As of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, Mission had $171.8 million and $172.3 million, respectively, outstanding under its Term Loan B and no borrowings were outstanding under its revolving loan.

Terms of the Mission Facility, including repayment, maturity and interest rates, are the same as the terms of the Nexstar Facility described above. The total weighted average interest rate of the Mission Facility was 6.73% and 6.28% at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

Unused Commitments and Borrowing Availability

As of March 31, 2006, there was approximately $97.5 million of total unused commitments under the Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission senior secured credit facilities. Based on covenant calculations, as of March 31, 2006, there was approximately $10 million of total available borrowings that could be drawn under the Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission senior secured credit facilities.

Debt Covenants

The Nexstar Facility contains covenants which require the Company to comply with certain financial covenant ratios, including (1) a maximum total combined leverage ratio of Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission of 8.00 times the last twelve months operating cash flow (as defined in the credit agreement) at March 31, 2006, (2) a maximum combined senior leverage ratio of Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission of 5.25 times the last twelve months operating cash flow at March 31, 2006, (3) a minimum combined interest coverage ratio of 1.50 to 1.00, and (4) a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.15 to 1.00. The covenants, which are formally calculated on a quarterly basis, are based on the combined results of Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission. Mission’s bank credit facility agreement does not contain financial covenant ratio requirements, but does provide for default in the event Nexstar does not comply with all covenants contained in its credit agreement.

The senior subordinated notes and senior discount notes contain restrictive covenants customary for borrowing arrangements of this type.

Collateralization and Guarantees of Debt

The bank credit facilities described above 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 Facility in the event of Mission’s default. Similarly, Mission is a guarantor of the Nexstar Facility and the senior subordinated notes issued by Nexstar Broadcasting.

In consideration of Nexstar’s guarantee of Mission’s senior credit facility, the sole shareholder of Mission has granted Nexstar a purchase option to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission station, subject to FCC consent. These option agreements are freely exercisable or assignable by Nexstar without consent or approval by the sole shareholder of Mission.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

7. Stock-Based Compensation Plan

2003 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan

In 2003, Nexstar established the 2003 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”) which provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance awards to directors, officers and other key employees of Nexstar or consultants. A maximum of 3,000,000 shares of Nexstar’s Class A common stock can be issued under the 2003 Plan, and as of March 31, 2006, a total of 12,000 shares were available for future grant.

As of March 31, 2006, options to purchase 2,958,000 shares of Nexstar’s Class A common stock were outstanding under the 2003 Plan. Options awarded under the 2003 Plan are granted with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares of common stock on the date of the grant, vest over five years and expire ten years from the date of grant. Except as otherwise determined by the compensation committee or with respect to the termination of a participant’s services in certain circumstances, including a change of control, no grant under the 2003 Plan may be exercised within six months of the date of the grant. Upon the employee’s termination, all nonvested options are forfeited immediately and any unexercised vested options are canceled thirty days following the termination date. At March 31, 2006, there was approximately $5.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to stock options that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.99 years.

During 2006, Nexstar granted 30,000 shares of restricted stock under the 2003 Plan. This award vests monthly in increments of 2,500 shares and becomes fully vested as of January 23, 2007. As of March 31, 2006, 5,000 shares of the awarded were vested. The fair value of the award totaling $140 thousand, which was based on the market price of Nexstar’s common stock on the date of grant, is being recognized as an expense ratably over the vesting period and Nexstar recorded $23 thousand of compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2006, which was included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations. Prior to January 1, 2006, Nexstar had not granted any restricted stock awards and there were no forfeitures of nonvested restricted stock during the three months ended March 31, 2006. At March 31, 2006, the total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to restricted stock was $117 thousand, which is expected to be recognized through first quarter 2007.

The following table summarizes stock award activity and related information for the three months ended March 31, 2006 (not presented in thousands):

 

           Outstanding Options
    

Shares
Available

for Grant

    Shares     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
    Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term(Years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value(2)

Balance at January 1, 2006

   217,000     2,783,000     $ 9.68       

Options granted

   (300,000 )   300,000     $ 4.68 (1)     

Restricted stock granted

   (30,000 )   —         —         

Options exercised

   —       —         —         

Options forfeited/cancelled

   125,000     (125,000 )   $ 11.08       
                   

Balance at March 31, 2006

   12,000     2,958,000     $ 9.12     8.63    $ 807,550
                   

Exercisable at March 31, 2006

     776,500     $ 12.91     7.72      —  

Fully vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2006

     2,809,427     $ 9.22     8.60    $ 743,786

(1) All options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2006 had an exercise price equal to the grant-date market price.
(2) Aggregate intrinsic value includes effects of estimated forfeitures and represents the difference between the closing market price of Nexstar’s common stock on the last day of the fiscal period, which was $5.20 on March 31, 2006, and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

7. Stock-Based Compensation Plan—(Continued)

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding as of March 31, 2006:

 

Options Outstanding

   Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Prices

  

Number
Outstanding

at 3/31/06

  

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual

Life (Years)

  

Weighted-

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Number
Exercisable

at 3/31/06

  

Weighted-

Average

Exercise

Price

$  4.37 - $  4.99

   1,085,000    9.74    $ 4.46    —      $ —  

$  5.00 - $  6.99

   35,000    9.41    $ 5.92    —      $ —  

$  7.00 - $  8.99

   685,000    8.40    $ 8.63    153,000    $ 8.63

$  9.00 - $13.99

   100,000    7.99    $ 12.71    28,000    $ 12.93

$14.00 - $14.17

   1,053,000    7.67    $ 14.01    595,500    $ 14.00
                  
   2,958,000          776,500   
                  

8. Income Taxes

The Company’s provision for income taxes is primarily comprised of deferred income taxes created by an increase in the deferred tax liabilities position during the year resulting from the amortization of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for income tax purposes which are not amortized for financial reporting purposes. These deferred tax liabilities 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 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 believes they may not be realized through future taxable earnings.

9. 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 it provides services to. In addition, the U.S. Congress may act to amend the Communications Act in a manner that could impact the Company’s stations, the stations it provides services to and the television broadcast industry in general.

Some of the more significant FCC regulatory matters impacting the Company’s operations are discussed below.

Digital Television (“DTV”) Conversion

FCC regulations required all commercial television stations in the United States to commence digital operations on a schedule determined by the FCC and Congress, in addition to continuing their analog operations. All of the television stations Nexstar and Mission own and operate are broadcasting at least a low-power digital television signal, except for KNWA, for which Nexstar has filed a request for extension of time with the FCC. When the FCC acts on the extension request, Nexstar will have at least six months to complete construction of KNWA’s DTV facilities. If KNWA is not broadcasting a digital signal by the end of this six-month period Nexstar could be subject to sanctions, including, eventually, loss of the DTV construction permit. The conversion to digital transmission required an average initial capital expenditure of $0.2 million per station for low-power transmission of a digital signal. Digital conversion expenditures were $1.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

9. FCC Regulatory Matters—(Continued)

On February 8, 2006, President Bush signed into law legislation that establishes a February 17, 2009 deadline for television broadcasters to complete their transition to digital transmission and return their analog spectrum to the FCC. See Note 3 for a discussion of the impact this new legislation is expected to have on the estimated useful lives of certain broadcasting equipment of the Company.

Full-Power DTV Facilities Construction

The FCC has released rules setting the dates by which all television stations must be broadcasting a full-power DTV signal. Under these rules, stations affiliated with the four largest networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) in the top-100 markets were required to construct full-power DTV facilities by July 1, 2005. All other stations are required to construct full-power DTV facilities by July 1, 2006. Stations that fail to meet these build-out deadlines, and that have not requested an extension of time from the FCC, will lose interference protection for their signals outside their low-power coverage areas. As of March 31, 2006, Mission’s stations WUTR, WTVO and WYOU and Nexstar’s stations WBRE, WROC and KARK are broadcasting with full-power digital signals. Nexstar and Mission have filed requests for extension of time to construct full-power DTV facilities for their top four network affiliates in the top one hundred markets. The FCC has not yet acted on these requests for extension of time.

The Company will incur various capital expenditures to modify the remaining Nexstar and Mission stations’ DTV transmitting equipment for full-power digital signal transmission, including costs for the transmitter, transmission line, antenna and installation, and estimated costs for tower upgrades and/or modifications. The Company anticipates these expenditures will be funded through available cash on hand and cash generated from operations as incurred in future years.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Guarantee of Mission Debt

Nexstar and its subsidiaries guarantee full payment of all obligations incurred under Misson’s senior credit facility agreement. In the event that Mission is unable to repay amounts due under its credit facility, 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 under the Mission credit facility. At March 31, 2006, Mission had $171.8 million outstanding under its senior credit facility.

Indemnification Obligations

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

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

Senior Discount Notes

On March 27, 2003, Nexstar Finance Holdings, Inc. (“Nexstar Finance Holdings”), a 100% owned subsidiary of Nexstar, issued 11.375% senior discount notes (“11.375% Notes”) due in 2013. The 11.375% Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Nexstar.

The following summarized condensed consolidating financial information is presented in lieu of separate financial statements and other related disclosures of Nexstar Finance Holdings 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 following represents summarized condensed consolidating financial information as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 with respect to the financial position and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 for results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its 100%, directly or indirectly, owned subsidiaries.

The Nexstar column presents the parent company’s financial information. Nexstar is also the guarantor. The Nexstar Finance Holdings column presents the issuer’s financial information. The Non-Guarantor Subsidiary column presents the financial information of Nexstar Broadcasting, a 100% owned subsidiary of Nexstar Finance Holdings.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Balance Sheet

March 31, 2006

(in thousands)

 

     Nexstar    Nexstar Finance
Holdings
   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
   Eliminations     Consolidated
Company
 
ASSETS              

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —      $ —      $ 11,825    $ —       $ 11,825  

Other current assets

     —        7      56,608      —         56,615  
                                     

Total current assets

     —        7      68,433      —         68,440  

Investments in subsidiaries eliminated upon consolidation

     21,369      125,226      —        (146,595 )     —    

Amounts due from parents eliminated upon consolidation

     —        —        5,707      (5,707 )     —    

Property and equipment, net

     —        —        96,537      —         96,537  

Goodwill

     —        —        146,258      —         146,258  

FCC licenses

     —        —        138,437      —         138,437  

Other intangible assets, net

     —        —        203,483      —         203,483  

Other noncurrent assets

     1      2,255      10,898      (10 )     13,144  
                                     

Total assets

   $ 21,370    $ 127,488    $ 669,753    $ (152,312 )   $ 666,299  
                                     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)              

Current liabilities:

             

Current portion of debt

   $ —      $ —      $ 3,485    $ —       $ 3,485  

Other current liabilities

     26      —        38,587      —         38,613  
                                     

Total current liabilities

     26      —        42,072      —         42,098  

Debt

     —        104,144      536,870      —         641,014  

Amounts due to subsidiary eliminated upon consolidation

     3,734      1,973      —        (5,707 )     —    

Other noncurrent liabilities

     —        2      56,070      (11 )     56,061  
                                     

Total liabilities

     3,760      106,119      635,012      (5,718 )     739,173  
                                     

Stockholders’ equity (deficit):

             

Common stock

     284      —        —        —         284  

Other stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     17,326      21,369      34,741      (146,594 )     (73,158 )
                                     

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     17,610      21,369      34,741      (146,594 )     (72,874 )
                                     

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

   $ 21,370    $ 127,488    $ 669,753    $ (152,312 )   $ 666,299  
                                     

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Balance Sheet

December 31, 2005

(in thousands)

 

     Nexstar    Nexstar Finance
Holdings
   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
   Eliminations     Consolidated
Company
 
ASSETS              

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —      $ —      $ 13,487    $ —       $ 13,487  

Other current assets

     —        7      61,769      —         61,776  
                                     

Total current assets

     —        7      75,256      —         75,263  

Investments in subsidiaries eliminated upon consolidation

     27,184      128,153      —        (155,337 )     —    

Amounts due from parents eliminated upon consolidation

     —        —        6,112      (6,112 )     —    

Property and equipment, net

     —        —        98,156      —         98,156  

Goodwill

     —        —        146,258      —         146,258  

FCC licenses

     —        —        138,437      —         138,437  

Other intangible assets, net

     —        —        209,536      —         209,536  

Other noncurrent assets

     1      2,335      10,105      (10 )     12,431  
                                     

Total assets

   $ 27,185    $ 130,495    $ 683,860    $ (161,459 )   $ 680,081  
                                     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)              

Current liabilities:

             

Current portion of debt

   $ —      $ —      $ 3,485    $ —       $ 3,485  

Other current liabilities

     24      —        45,610      —         45,634  
                                     

Total current liabilities

     24      —        49,095      —         49,119  

Debt

     —        101,336      541,684      —         643,020  

Amounts due to subsidiary eliminated upon consolidation

     4,139      1,973      —        (6,112 )     —    

Other noncurrent liabilities

     —        2      53,976      (11 )     53,967  
                                     

Total liabilities

     4,163      103,311      644,755      (6,123 )     746,106  
                                     

Stockholders’ equity (deficit):

             

Common stock

     284      —        —        —         284  

Other stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     22,738      27,184      39,105      (155,336 )     (66,309 )
                                     

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     23,022      27,184      39,105      (155,336 )     (66,025 )
                                     

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

   $ 27,185    $ 130,495    $ 683,860    $ (161,459 )   $ 680,081  
                                     

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Statement of Operations

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

(in thousands)

 

     Nexstar     Nexstar Finance
Holdings
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations    Consolidated
Company
 

Net revenue

   $ —       $ —       $ 59,826     $ —      $ 59,826  
                                       

Operating expenses:

           

Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

     —         —         17,388       —        17,388  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

     35       —         20,343       —        20,378  

Amortization of broadcast rights

     —         —         5,228       —        5,228  

Amortization of intangible assets

     —         —         6,053       —        6,053  

Depreciation

     —         —         4,626       —        4,626  

Loss asset disposal, net

     —         —         64       —        64  
                                       

Total operating expenses

     35       —         53,702       —        53,737  
                                       

Income (loss) from operations

     (35 )     —         6,124       —        6,089  

Interest expense, including amortization of debt financing costs

     —         (2,888 )     (9,354 )     —        (12,242 )

Equity in loss of subsidiaries

     (5,815 )     (2,927 )     —         8,742      —    

Other income, net

     —         —         117       —        117  
                                       

Loss before income taxes

     (5,850 )     (5,815 )     (3,113 )     8,742      (6,036 )

Income tax expense

     —         —         (1,251 )     —        (1,251 )
                                       

Net loss

   $ (5,850 )   $ (5,815 )   $ (4,364 )   $ 8,742    $ (7,287 )
                                       

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Statement of Operations

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

(in thousands)

 

     Nexstar     Nexstar Finance
Holdings
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations    Consolidated
Company
 

Net revenue

   $ —       $ —       $ 53,312     $ —      $ 53,312  
                                       

Operating expenses:

           

Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

     —         —         16,197       —        16,197  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

     39       —         18,056       —        18,095  

Amortization of broadcast rights

     —         —         6,158       —        6,158  

Amortization of intangible assets

     —         —         6,762       —        6,762  

Depreciation

     —         —         4,423       —        4,423  

Loss on asset disposal, net

     —         —         109       —        109  
                                       

Total operating expenses

     39       —         51,705       —        51,744  
                                       

Income (loss) from operations

     (39 )     —         1,607       —        1,568  

Interest expense, including amortization of debt financing costs

     —         (2,594 )     (10,481 )     —        (13,075 )

Equity in loss of subsidiaries

     (10,588 )     (7,994 )     —         18,582      —    

Other expense, net

     —         —         (9 )     —        (9 )
                                       

Loss before income taxes

     (10,627 )     (10,588 )     (8,883 )     18,582      (11,516 )

Income tax expense

     —         —         (1,292 )     —        (1,292 )
                                       

Net loss

   $ (10,627 )   $ (10,588 )   $ (10,175 )   $ 18,582    $ (12,808 )
                                       

 

18


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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Statement of Cash Flows

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

(in thousands)

 

     Nexstar    Nexstar Finance
Holdings
   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations    Consolidated
Company
 

Cash flows provided by operating activities

   $ —      $ —      $ 6,050     $ —      $ 6,050  
                                     

Cash flows from investing activities:

             

Additions to property and equipment, net

     —        —        (2,982 )     —        (2,982 )

Other investing activites

     —        —        141       —        141  
                                     

Net cash used for investing activities

     —        —        (2,841 )     —        (2,841 )
                                     

Cash flows from financing activities:

             

Repayment of long-term debt

     —        —        (4,871 )     —        (4,871 )
                                     

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     —        —        (1,662 )     —        (1,662 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     —        —        13,487       —        13,487  
                                     

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ —      $ —      $ 11,825     $ —      $ 11,825  
                                     

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Statement of Cash Flows

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

(in thousands)

 

     Nexstar    Nexstar Finance
Holdings
   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations    Consolidated
Company
 

Cash flows provided by operating activities

   $ —      $ —      $ 11,274     $ —      $ 11,274  
                                     

Cash flows from investing activities:

             

Additions to property and equipment, net

     —        —        (2,874 )     —        (2,874 )

Acquisition of broadcast properties and related transaction costs

     —        —        (12,481 )     —        (12,481 )

Other investing activites

     —        —        22       —        22  
                                     

Net cash used for investing activities

     —        —        (15,333 )     —        (15,333 )
                                     

Cash flows from financing activities:

             

Repayment of long-term debt

     —        —        (1,587 )     —        (1,587 )

Proceeds from revolver draws

     —        —        1,000       —        1,000  
                                     

Net cash used for financing activities

     —        —        (587 )     —        (587 )
                                     

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     —        —        (4,646 )     —        (4,646 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     —        —        18,505       —        18,505  
                                     

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ —      $ —      $ 13,859     $ —      $ 13,859  
                                     

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Senior Subordinated Notes

On December 30, 2003 and April 1, 2005, Nexstar Broadcasting, a 100% owned subsidiary of Nexstar Finance Holdings, issued 7% senior subordinated notes (“7% Notes”) due in January 2014. The 7% Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Nexstar.

The following summarized condensed consolidating financial information is presented in lieu of separate financial statements and other related disclosures of Nexstar Broadcasting 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 following represents summarized condensed consolidating financial information as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 with respect to the financial position and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 for results of operations and cash flows of Nexstar and its 100%, directly or indirectly, owned subsidiaries and independently-owned Mission Broadcasting, Inc.

The Nexstar column presents the parent company’s financial information. Nexstar is also a guarantor. The Nexstar Broadcasting column presents the issuer’s financial information. The Mission column presents the financial information of Mission Broadcasting, Inc., an entity in which Nexstar Broadcasting is deemed to have a controlling financial interest and is required to be consolidated as a variable interest entity under FIN No. 46R (see Note 2). Mission is also a guarantor of the senior subordinated notes issued by Nexstar Broadcasting. The Non-Guarantor Subsidiary column presents the financial information of Nexstar Finance Holdings, the parent of Nexstar Broadcasting.

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Balance Sheet

March 31, 2006

(in thousands)

 

     Nexstar    Nexstar
Broadcasting
   Mission     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
   Eliminations     Consolidated
Company
 
ASSETS                

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —      $ 11,109    $ 716     $ —      $ —       $ 11,825  

Due from Mission

     —        21,094      —         —        (21,094 )     —    

Other current assets

     —        54,318      2,290       7      —         56,615  
                                             

Total current assets

     —        86,521      3,006       7      (21,094 )     68,440  

Investments in subsidiaries eliminated upon consolidation

     21,369      —        —         125,226      (146,595 )     —    

Amounts due from parents eliminated upon consolidation

     —        5,707      —         —        (5,707 )     —    

Property and equipment, net

     —        76,084      20,487       —        (34 )     96,537  

Goodwill

     —        129,607      16,651       —        —         146,258  

FCC licenses

     —        109,701      28,736       —        —         138,437  

Other intangible assets, net

     —        157,235      46,248       —        —         203,483  

Other noncurrent assets

     1      9,553      1,345       2,255      (10 )     13,144  
                                             

Total assets

   $ 21,370    $ 574,408    $ 116,473     $ 127,488    $ (173,440 )   $ 666,299  
                                             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)                

Current liabilities:

               

Current portion of debt

   $ —      $ 1,758    $ 1,727     $ —      $ —       $ 3,485  

Due to Nexstar Broadcasting

     —        —        21,094       —        (21,094 )     —    

Other current liabilities

     26      35,482      3,105       —        —         38,613  
                                             

Total current liabilities

     26      37,240      25,926       —        (21,094 )     42,098  

Debt

     —        366,760      170,110       104,144      —         641,014  

Amounts due to subsidiary eliminated upon consolidation

     3,734      —        —         1,973      (5,707 )     —    

Other noncurrent liabilities

     —        45,182      10,888       2      (11 )     56,061  
                                             

Total liabilities

     3,760      449,182      206,924       106,119      (26,812 )     739,173  
                                             

Stockholders’ equity (deficit):

               

Common stock

     284      —        —         —        —         284  

Other stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     17,326      125,226      (90,451 )     21,369      (146,628 )     (73,158 )
                                             

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     17,610      125,226      (90,451 )     21,369      (146,628 )     (72,874 )
                                             

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

   $ 21,370    $ 574,408    $ 116,473     $ 127,488    $ (173,440 )   $ 666,299  
                                             

 

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Table of Contents

NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Balance Sheet

December 31, 2005

(in thousands)

 

    Nexstar   Nexstar
Broadcasting
  Mission     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
  Eliminations     Consolidated
Company
 
ASSETS            

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ —     $ 12,083   $ 1,404     $ —     $ —       $ 13,487  

Due from Mission

    —       22,215     —         —       (22,215 )     —    

Other current assets

    —       58,801     2,968       7     —         61,776  
                                         

Total current assets

    —       93,099     4,372       7     (22,215 )     75,263  

Investments in subsidiaries eliminated upon consolidation

    27,184     —       —         128,153     (155,337 )     —    

Amounts due from parents eliminated upon consolidation

    —       6,112     —         —       (6,112 )     —    

Property and equipment, net

    —       77,091     21,102       —       (37 )     98,156  

Goodwill

    —       129,607     16,651       —       —         146,258  

FCC licenses

    —       109,701     28,736       —       —         138,437  

Intangible assets, net

    —       161,939     47,597       —       —         209,536  

Other noncurrent assets

    1     8,759     1,346       2,335     (10 )     12,431  
                                         

Total assets

  $ 27,185   $ 586,308   $ 119,804     $ 130,495   $ (183,711 )   $ 680,081  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)            

Current liabilities:

           

Current portion of debt

  $ —     $ 1,758   $ 1,727     $ —     $ —       $ 3,485  

Due to Nexstar Broadcasting

    —       —       22,215       —       (22,215 )     —    

Other current liabilities

    24     41,774     3,836       —       —         45,634  
                                         

Total current liabilities

    24     43,532     27,778       —       (22,215 )     49,119  

Debt

    —       371,143     170,541       101,336     —         643,020  

Amounts due to subsidiary eliminated upon consolidation

    4,139     —       —         1,973     (6,112 )     —    

Other noncurrent liabilities

    —       43,480     10,496       2     (11 )     53,967  
                                         

Total liabilities

    4,163     458,155     208,815       103,311     (28,338 )     746,106  
                                         

Stockholders’ equity (deficit):

           

Common stock

    284     —       —         —       —         284  

Other stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    22,738     128,153     (89,011 )     27,184     (155,373 )     (66,309 )
                                         

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    23,022     128,153     (89,011 )     27,184     (155,373 )     (66,025 )
                                         

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

  $ 27,185   $ 586,308   $ 119,804     $ 130,495   $ (183,711 )   $ 680,081  
                                         

 

23


Table of Contents

NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Statement of Operations

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

(in thousands)

 

     Nexstar     Nexstar
Broadcasting
    Mission     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Company
 

Net broadcast revenue (including trade and barter)

   $ —       $ 58,457     $ 1,369     $ —       $ —       $ 59,826  

Revenue between consolidated entities

     —         1,950       6,976       —         (8,926 )     —    
                                                

Net revenue

     —         60,407       8,345       —         (8,926 )     59,826  
                                                

Operating expenses:

            

Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

     —         16,249       1,139       —         —         17,388  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

     35       19,842       501       —         —         20,378  

Local service agreement fees between consolidated entities

     —         6,976       1,950       —         (8,926 )     —    

Amortization of broadcast rights

     —         4,283       945       —         —         5,228  

Amortization of intangible assets

     —         4,704       1,349       —         —         6,053  

Depreciation

     —         3,848       781       —         (3 )     4,626  

Loss on asset disposal, net

     —         57       7       —         —         64  
                                                

Total operating expenses

     35       55,959       6,672       —         (8,929 )     53,737  
                                                

Income (loss) from operations

     (35 )     4,448       1,673       —         3       6,089  

Interest expense, including amortization of debt financing costs

     —         (6,565 )     (2,789 )     (2,888 )     —         (12,242 )

Equity in loss of subsidiaries

     (5,815 )     —         —         (2,927 )     8,742       —    

Other income, net

     —         104       13       —         —         117  
                                                

Loss before income taxes

     (5,850 )     (2,013 )     (1,103 )     (5,815 )     8,745       (6,036 )

Income tax expense

     —         (914 )     (337 )     —         —         (1,251 )
                                                

Net loss

   $ (5,850 )   $ (2,927 )   $ (1,440 )   $ (5,815 )   $ 8,745     $ (7,287 )
                                                

 

24


Table of Contents

NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Statement of Operations

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

(in thousands)

 

     Nexstar     Nexstar
Broadcasting
    Mission     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Company
 

Net broadcast revenue (including trade and barter)

   $ —       $ 51,886     $ 1,426     $ —       $ —       $ 53,312  

Revenue between consolidated entities

     —         2,850       6,678       —         (9,528 )     —    
                                                

Net revenue

     —         54,736       8,104       —         (9,528 )     53,312  
                                                

Operating expenses:

            

Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

     —         15,184       1,013       —         —         16,197  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

     39       17,570       486       —         —         18,095  

Local service agreement fees between consolidated entities

     —         6,678       2,850       —         (9,528 )     —    

Amortization of broadcast rights

     —         4,975       1,183       —         —         6,158  

Amortization of intangible assets

     —         5,119       1,643       —         —         6,762  

Depreciation

     —         3,724       702       —         (3 )     4,423  

Loss on asset disposal, net

     —         60       49       —         —         109  
                                                

Total operating expenses

     39       53,310       7,926       —         (9,531 )     51,744  
                                                

Income (loss) from operations

     (39 )     1,426       178       —         3       1,568  

Interest expense, including amortization of debt financing costs

     —         (8,454 )     (2,027 )     (2,594 )     —         (13,075 )

Equity in loss of subsidiaries

     (10,588 )     —         —         (7,994 )     18,582       —    

Other income (expense), net

     —         (15 )     6       —         —         (9 )
                                                

Loss before income taxes

     (10,627 )     (7,043 )     (1,843 )     (10,588 )     18,585       (11,516 )

Income tax expense

     —         (951 )     (341 )     —         —         (1,292 )
                                                

Net loss

   $ (10,627 )   $ (7,994 )   $ (2,184 )   $ (10,588 )   $ 18,585     $ (12,808 )
                                                

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Statement of Cash Flows

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

(in thousands)

 

     Nexstar    Nexstar
Broadcasting
    Mission     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
   Eliminations    Consolidated
Company
 

Cash flows provided by (used for) operating activities

   $ —      $ 6,135     $ (85 )   $ —      $ —      $ 6,050  
                                             

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Additions to property and equipment, net

     —        (2,806 )     (176 )     —        —        (2,982 )

Other investing activites

     —        137       4       —        —        141  
                                             

Net cash used for investing activities

     —        (2,669 )     (172 )     —        —        (2,841 )
                                             

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Repayment of long-term debt

     —        (4,440 )     (431 )     —        —        (4,871 )
                                             

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     —        (974 )     (688 )     —        —        (1,662 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     —        12,083       1,404       —        —        13,487  
                                             

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ —      $ 11,109     $ 716     $ —      $ —      $ 11,825  
                                             

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information—(Continued)

Statement of Cash Flows

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

(in thousands)

 

     Nexstar    Nexstar
Broadcasting
    Mission     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiary
   Eliminations    Consolidated
Company
 

Cash flows provided by operating activities

   $ —      $ 10,807     $ 467     $ —      $ —      $ 11,274  
                                             

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Additions to property and equipment, net

     —        (2,680 )     (194 )     —        —        (2,874 )

Acquisition of broadcast properties and related transaction costs

     —        (6,338 )     (6,143 )     —        —        (12,481 )

Other investing activites

     —        7       15       —        —        22  
                                             

Net cash used for investing activities

     —        (9,011 )     (6,322 )     —        —        (15,333 )
                                             

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Repayment of long-term debt

     —        (1,207 )     (380 )     —        —        (1,587 )

Proceeds from revolver draws

     —        1,000       —         —        —        1,000  
                                             

Net cash used for financing activities

     —        (207 )     (380 )     —        —        (587 )
                                             

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     —        1,589       (6,235 )     —        —        (4,646 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     —        11,524       6,981       —        —        18,505  
                                             

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ —      $ 13,113     $ 746     $ —      $ —      $ 13,859  
                                             

 

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

12. Related Party Transactions

Pursuant to a management services agreement, Mission paid compensation to its sole shareholder in the amount of $0.1 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations.

13. Subsequent Events

On April 18, 2006, Nexstar and Mission announced that they have filed an application with the FCC for consent for Nexstar to sell KFTA-TV, Channel 24 (Ft. Smith, Arkansas) to Mission for $5.6 million. Pending FCC approval, and upon completion of the sale, Mission intends to provide Fox programming to serve the Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas designated market area. Nexstar’s KNWA-TV, Channel 51, licensed to Rogers, Arkansas, has renewed its affiliation agreement for KNWA-TV to continue as the NBC affiliate in Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas through 2014. Upon closing the purchase of KFTA, Mission plans to enter into a joint sales and shared services agreement with Nexstar’s KNWA-TV whereby KNWA will provide local news, sales and other non-programming services to KFTA.

 

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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 the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2006, unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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. and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., and “Mission” refers to Mission Broadcasting, Inc. All references to “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Nexstar. All references to “the Company” refer to Nexstar and Mission collectively.

As a result of our controlling financial interest in Mission under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and in order to present fairly our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, 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. As discussed in Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we have considered the method of accounting under FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation on Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (“FIN No. 46”) as revised in December 2003 (“FIN No. 46R”) and have determined that we are required to continue consolidating Mission’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Therefore, the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations includes Mission’s financial position and results of operations.

Executive Summary

First Quarter 2006 Highlights

 

    Net revenue increased 12.2% primarily from the increase in local, national and political advertising revenue along with retransmission consent compensation.

 

    Core local and national advertising revenue increased 11.1% partially due to advertising revenue generated during the coverage of the Olympic Games in the first quarter of 2006.

 

    We announced that we had reached multi-year retransmission consent agreements with approximately 150 content distributors within the 27 markets in which we broadcast, which is expected to generate approximately $49 million in revenue over the life of the agreements. Retransmission consent agreements contributed cash compensation revenue of $2.0 million and advertising revenue of approximately $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to cash compensation revenue of $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005.

 

    We and Mission made repayments of $4.9 million to Term Loan B under the senior secured credit facilities, of which $4.0 million was a voluntary repayment and $0.9 million were scheduled term loan maturities.

 

    Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123(R), using the modified prospective transition method. Under that method, we are required to record compensation expense for all stock options granted, but not yet vested, for the three months ended March 31, 2006. We determine compensation expense based on the options’ fair value at their grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Because we have adopted a prospective transition method, results for prior periods have not been restated. Total compensation cost recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was approximately $0.4 million ($0.01 per basic and diluted share).

Overview of Operations

We owned and operated 29 television stations as of March 31, 2006. Through various local service agreements, we programmed or provided sales and other services to 17 additional television stations, including 15 television stations owned and operated by Mission as of March 31, 2006. Mission is 100% owned by an independent third party.

The following table summarizes the various local service agreements we had in effect as of March 31, 2006 with Mission:

 

Service Agreements

  

Mission Stations

TBA Only(1)    WFXP and KHMT
SSA & JSA (2)   

KJTL, KJBO-LP, KOLR, KCIT, KCPN-LP, KAMC, KRBC, KSAN, WUTR,

WFXW, WYOU, KODE and WTVO


(1) We have a time brokerage agreement (“TBA”) with each of these stations which allows us 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) We have both a shared services agreement (“SSA”) and a joint sales agreement (“JSA”) with each of these stations. The SSA allows the sharing of services including news production, technical maintenance and security, in exchange for our right to receive certain payments from Mission as described in the SSAs. The JSAs permit us to sell and retain a percentage of the net revenue from the station’s advertising time in return for monthly payments to Mission of the remaining percentage of net revenue, as described in the JSAs.

Our ability to receive cash from Mission is governed by these agreements. The arrangements under the SSAs and JSAs have had the effect of us receiving substantially all of the available cash, after debt service costs, generated by the stations listed above. The arrangements under the TBAs have also had the effect of us receiving substantially all of the available cash generated by the TBA stations listed above. We anticipate that we will continue to receive substantially all of the available cash, after payments for debt service costs, generated by the stations listed above.

 

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We also guarantee the obligations incurred under Mission’s senior secured credit facility. Similarly, Mission is a guarantor of our senior secured credit facility and the senior subordinated notes we have issued. In consideration of our guarantee of Mission’s senior credit facility, the sole shareholder of Mission has granted us a purchase option to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission station, subject to FCC consent, for consideration equal to the greater of (1) seven times the station’s cash flow, as defined in the option agreement, less the amount of its indebtedness as defined in the option agreement, or (2) the amount of its indebtedness. These option agreements are freely exercisable or assignable by us without consent or approval by the sole shareholder of Mission.

We do not own Mission or Mission’s television stations. However, as a result of our guarantee of the obligations incurred under Mission’s senior credit facility and our arrangements under the local service agreements and purchase option agreements with Mission, we are deemed under U.S. GAAP to have a controlling financial interest in Mission while complying with the FCC’s rules regarding ownership limits in television markets. In order for both us and Mission to comply with FCC regulations, Mission maintains complete responsibility for and control over programming, finances, personnel and operations of its stations.

Seasonality

Advertising revenue is positively affected by national and regional political election campaigns, and certain events such as the Olympic Games or the Super Bowl. The stations’ advertising revenue is generally highest in the second and fourth quarters of each year, due in part to increases in consumer advertising in the spring and retail advertising in the period leading up to, and including, the holiday season. In addition, advertising revenue is generally higher during even-numbered years resulting from political advertising and advertising aired during the Olympic Games.

Industry Trends

The Television Bureau of Advertising has forecasted U.S. television advertising revenue in 2006 to increase by approximately 6% - 8% compared to 2005 primarily due to higher political spending this year and advertising spending incurred in conjunction with the Olympic Games in 2006.

Our net revenue increased 12.2% to $59.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $53.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. Our net revenue was higher in 2006 than in 2005 due to several factors, including advertising revenue generated during the coverage of the Olympic Games and an increased demand for political advertising that was favorably affected by the volume of advertising time purchased by campaigns for elective offices and for political issues.

Political revenue was $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, a significant increase over the $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The demand for political advertising is generally higher in even-numbered years, when congressional and presidential elections occur, than in odd-numbered years. During an election year, political revenue makes up a significant portion of the increase in revenue in that year. Since 2006 is an election year, a significant percentage of the Company’s revenue growth in 2006 is expected to be attributable to political revenue. However, even during an election year, political revenue is influenced by geography and the competitiveness of the election races.

Automotive-related advertising, our largest advertising category, represented approximately 24% and 26% of our core local and national advertising revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Our automotive-related advertising decreased approximately 5% for the three months ended March 31, 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005, primarily due to a decline in demand for advertising from this business category. A significant change in this advertising revenue source could materially affect our future results of operations.

Recent Developments

On January 24, 2006, the owners of UPN and WB announced that the two television networks will merge to form a new network called The CW. We and Mission operate 3 UPN affiliated stations located in Wichita Falls, Texas; Champaign, Illinois; and Utica, New York. These three UPN affiliated stations will not be joining The CW network. Instead, these three stations will become affiliates of My Network TV, a new primetime programming network to be launched in September 2006. Our and Mission’s management believe the change in affiliation for these three stations will not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations.

On February 1, 2006, Nexstar announced that it had reached multi-year retransmission consent agreements with approximately 150 content distributors within the 27 markets in which the Company broadcasts, which in aggregate have approximately 4 million subscribers. The retransmission agreements with both the cable operators and direct broadcast satellite providers are expected to generate approximately $49 million in revenue to the Company over the life of the agreements which range in length from three to five years, with the majority of the agreements having terms of three to four years.

On April 18, 2006, Nexstar and Mission announced that they have filed an application with the FCC for consent for Nexstar to sell KFTA-TV, Channel 24 (Ft. Smith, Arkansas) to Mission for $5.6 million. Pending FCC approval, and upon completion of the sale, Mission intends to provide Fox programming to serve the Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas designated market area. Nexstar’s KNWA-TV, Channel 51, licensed to Rogers, Arkansas, has renewed its affiliation agreement for KNWA-TV to continue as the NBC affiliate in Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas through 2014. Upon closing the purchase of KFTA, Mission plans to enter into a joint sales and shared services agreement with Nexstar’s KNWA-TV whereby KNWA will provide local news, sales and other non-programming services to KFTA.

 

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Historical Performance

Revenue

The following table sets forth the principal types of revenue earned by the Company’s stations for the periods indicated and each type of revenue (other than trade and barter) as a percentage of total gross revenue, as well as agency commissions:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2006    2005
     Amount    %    Amount    %
     (in thousands, except percentages)

Local

   $ 39,209    62.8    $ 35,221    64.6

National

     17,431    27.9      15,777    29.0

Political

     1,862    3.0      294    0.5

Retransmission consent agreements cash compensation

     2,006    3.2      499    0.9

Network compensation

     1,049    1.7      1,930    3.5

Other

     854    1.4      788    1.5
                       

Total gross revenue

     62,411    100.0      54,509    100.0

Less: Agency commissions

     7,290    11.7      6,347    11.6
                       

Net broadcast revenue

     55,121    88.3      48,162    88.4

Trade and barter revenue

     4,705         5,150   
                   

Net revenue

   $ 59,826       $ 53,312   
                   

The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s operations for the periods indicated and their percentages of net revenue:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2006    2005
     Amount    %    Amount    %
     (in thousands, except percentages)

Net revenue

   $ 59,826    100.0    $ 53,312    100.0

Operating expenses:

           

Corporate expenses

     3,217    5.4      3,022    5.7

Station direct operating expenses, net of trade

     15,790    26.4      14,671    27.5

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     17,161    28.7      15,073    28.3

Loss on asset disposal, net

     64    0.1      109    0.2

Trade and barter expense

     4,730    7.9      4,999    9.4

Depreciation and amortization

     10,679    17.9      11,185    21.0

Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter

     2,096    3.5      2,685    5.0
                   

Income from operations

   $ 6,089       $ 1,568   
                   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2005.

Revenue

Gross local advertising revenue was $39.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $35.2 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of $4.0 million, or 11.3%. Gross national advertising revenue was $17.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $15.8 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of $1.6 million, or 10.5%. The combined increase in gross local and national advertising revenue of $5.6 million was primarily the result of (1) revenue generated for the three months ended March 31, 2006 from the outsourcing agreement that commenced in September 2005 between Nexstar and WUHF, the Fox affiliate in Rochester, New York, owned by a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Inc. (“Sinclair”), (2) advertising revenue generated during the coverage of the Olympic Games that took place during the three months ended March 31, 2006, a portion of which was incremental to those time periods, and (3) advertising revenue from new local customers increased by approximately $0.7 million. Automotive advertising revenue, our largest business category, which decreased approximately $0.7 million during the first quarter of 2006 compared to the prior year, was offset by the Fast Food/Restaurant business category, our second largest category, which increased by approximately $0.7 million during the first quarter of 2006.

Gross political advertising revenue was $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $0.3 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of $1.6 million, or 533.3%. The increase in gross political revenue was attributed to statewide and/or local races in Illinois, Texas and Arkansas that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2006 as compared to nominal political advertising during the three months ended March 31, 2005.

 

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Cash compensation from retransmission consent agreements was $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $0.5 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of $1.5 million, or 302.0%. The increase in cash compensation from retransmission consent agreements was primarily the result of a significant increase in the number of retransmission consent agreements entered into with content distributors that provide for cash compensation, the majority of which were completed in late 2005.

Operating Expenses

Corporate expenses, related to costs associated with the centralized management of Nexstar’s and Mission’s stations, were $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, an increase of $0.2 million, or 6.5%. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2006 was primarily attributed to higher compensation costs associated with stock-based compensation expense that was not previously expensed, an increase in corporate personnel necessary to effectively support our growing television station portfolio and a higher amount of bonuses accrued in the first quarter of 2006, partially offset by a decrease in professional services fees incurred during the first quarter of 2006.

Station direct operating expenses, consisting primarily of news, engineering and programming, net of trade, and selling, general and administrative expenses were $33.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $29.8 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of $3.2 million, or 10.8%. The increase in station direct operating expenses, net of trade, and selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was primarily attributed to (1) an increase in outside services related to the payments made to Sinclair for the WUHF outsourcing agreement that commenced in September 2005, (2) an increase in claims incurred under the group health insurance plan, (3) an increase in sales commissions associated with the increase in the Company’s local and national advertising revenue, (4) an increase in programming costs primarily due to film reimbursements and music licenses for WUHF, and (5) an increase in news department costs.

Amortization of broadcast rights, excluding barter, was $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $2.7 million for the same period in 2005, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 21.9%. The decrease was primarily attributed to broadcast rights being replaced with negotiated lower cost of broadcast programming and a decline in write downs of broadcast programming during the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same period last year.

Amortization of intangible assets was $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $6.8 million for the same period in 2005, a decrease of $0.7 million, or 10.5%. The decrease was primarily related to intangible assets at certain stations becoming fully amortized.

Depreciation of property and equipment was $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, as compared to $4.4 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of $0.2 million, or 4.6%. The increase was primarily attributed to accelerating the depreciation of certain assets due to the Company’s reassessment of their estimated remaining useful lives. The increase in depreciation was partially offset by assets at certain stations becoming fully depreciated after March 31, 2005.

Income from Operations

Income from operations was $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $1.6 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of $4.5 million, or 288.3%. The increase in income from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was primarily attributable to the increase in net revenue, particularly in local advertising revenue, partially offset by an increase in station direct operating expenses, net of trade, and selling, general and administrative expenses as described above.

Interest Expense

Interest expense, including amortization of debt financing costs, was $12.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $13.1 million for the same period in 2005, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 6.4%. The decrease in interest expense was primarily attributed to the redemption of our outstanding $160.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 12% senior subordinated notes (“12% Notes”) in April 2005, partially offset by the issuance of the $75.0 million in the aggregate principal amount of 7% senior subordinated notes at a price of 98.01% (“7% Notes”) in April 2005, and higher interest rates and a greater amount of debt outstanding in 2006 under our and Mission’s senior credit facilities.

Income Taxes

Income taxes were $1.3 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. Our provision for income taxes is primarily created by an increase in the deferred tax liabilities position during the year arising from the amortizing of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for income tax purposes which are not amortized for financial reporting purposes. This expense has no impact on our cash flows. Based primarily on our recent history of net operating losses, we do not consider the realization of our net deferred tax assets to be more likely than not. Accordingly, we have provided a full valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets excluding deferred tax liabilities attributable to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. No tax benefit was recorded with respect to the losses for 2006 and 2005, as the utilization of such losses is not likely to be realized in the foreseeable future.

 

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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 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 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 available credit facility. We will continue to evaluate the best use of Nexstar’s operating cash flow among its capital expenditures, acquisitions and debt reduction.

Overview

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

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
     2006     2005  
     (in thousands)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 6,050     $ 11,274  

Net cash used for investing activities

     (2,841 )     (15,333 )

Net cash used for financing activities

     (4,871 )     (587 )
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (1,662 )   $ (4,646 )
                

Cash paid for interest, net

   $ 12,640     $ 7,380  

Cash refunded for income taxes, net

   $ 4     $ 109  
     March 31,
2006
    December 31,
2005
 
     (in thousands)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 11,825     $ 13,487  

Long-term debt including current portion

   $ 644,499     $ 646,505  

Unused commitments under senior credit facilities (1)

   $ 97,500     $ 97,500  

(1) Based on covenant calculations as of March 31, 2006, there was approximately $10 million of total available borrowings that could be drawn under the Nexstar and Mission senior secured credit facilities.

Cash Flows – Operating Activities

The comparative net cash flows from operating activities decreased by $5.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of $6.2 million in cash flows from interest payable and a decrease of $5.5 million in cash flows from accounts receivable, partially offset by better operating results as reflected in the $5.5 million decrease in net loss and an increase of $1.1 million in cash flows from accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Cash paid for interest increased by $5.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. Cash payments for interest for our 7% Notes were $7.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, an increase of $2.6 million due to the issuance of an additional $75.0 million of 7% Notes. Cash payments of interest on our and Mission’s senior credit facilities were $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, an increase of $2.7 million due to higher interest rates and a greater amount of debt outstanding in 2006 on the respective credit facilities.

Nexstar and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Mission files its own separate federal income tax return. Additionally, Nexstar and Mission file their own state and local tax returns as are required. 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

The comparative net cash used for investing activities decreased by $12.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. Cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of cash used for capital additions and station acquisitions. The decrease was due to a decrease in acquisition related payments, partially offset by an increase in purchases of property and equipment.

 

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Capital expenditures were $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The increase was attributable to digital conversion expenditures, which increased from $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 to $1.2 million for the same period in 2006. We project that 2006 full-year capital expenditures will be approximately $22.0 million.

There was no cash used for station acquisitions for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $12.5 million for the same period in 2005. Acquisition related payments for the three months ended March 31, 2005 included the remaining payments of $5.75 million and $6.0 million, exclusive of transaction costs, for Mission’s acquisition of WTVO and our acquisition of KFTA/KNWA, respectively.

Cash Flows – Financing Activities

The comparative net cash used for financing activities increased by $4.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005, primarily due to an increase in repayments under our and Mission’s senior secured credit facilities.

During the three months ended March 31, 2006, there were $4.9 million of repayments under our and Mission’s senior secured credit facilities, consisting of scheduled term loan maturities of $0.9 million and the voluntary repayment of $4.0 million of term loans on March 31, 2006.

During the three months ended March 31, 2005, there were $0.6 million of scheduled term loan maturities, $1.0 million of revolving loan repayments and $1.0 million of revolving loan borrowings under our and Mission’s senior secured credit facilities.

Although the Nexstar and Mission senior credit facilities now allow for 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 March 31, 2006, Nexstar and Mission had total combined debt of $644.5 million, which represented 112.7% 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 will reduce the funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes.

The following table summarizes the approximate aggregate amount of principal indebtedness scheduled to mature for the periods referenced as of March 31, 2006:

 

     Total   

Remainder

of 2006

   2007-2008    2009-2010    Thereafter
          (in thousands)     

Nexstar senior credit facility(1)

   $ 170,921    $ 1,319    $ 3,516    $ 3,516    $ 162,570

Mission senior credit facility(1)

     171,837      1,295      3,454      3,454      163,634

7% senior subordinated notes due 2014

     200,000      —        —        —        200,000

11.375% senior discount notes due 2013(2)

     130,000      —        46,906      —        83,094
                                  
   $ 672,758    $ 2,614    $ 53,876    $ 6,970    $ 609,298
                                  

(1) Quarterly principal payments under the Nexstar and Mission senior credit facility term loans commenced on December 30, 2005.
(2) On April 1, 2008, Nexstar is required to redeem a principal amount of notes outstanding sufficient to ensure that the notes will not be “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

We make semiannual interest payments on our 7% Notes of $7.0 million on January 15th and July 15th. The 11.375% senior discount notes (“11.375% Notes”) will not begin to accrue cash interest until April 1, 2008. Commencing October 1, 2008 we will make semiannual interest payments on our 11.375% Notes on April 1st and October 1st. Interest payments on our and Mission’s senior 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 credit facilities, as well as the indentures governing our publicly-held 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, or obtain access to, new credit facilities or otherwise issue debt in the future and could increase the cost of such facilities.

 

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Debt Covenants

Our bank credit facility agreement contains covenants which require us to comply with certain financial ratios, including: (a) maximum total and senior leverage ratios, (b) a minimum interest coverage ratio, and (c) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The covenants, which are formally calculated on a quarterly basis, are based on the combined results of Nexstar Broadcasting and Mission. The senior subordinated notes and senior discount notes contain restrictive covenants customary for borrowing arrangements of this type. Mission’s bank credit facility agreement does not contain financial covenant ratio requirements, but does provide for default in the event Nexstar does not comply with all covenants contained in its credit agreement.

As of March 31, 2006, we were in compliance with all covenants contained in the credit agreements governing our senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing the publicly-held notes. We anticipate compliance with all the covenants through December 31, 2006. For a discussion of the financial ratio requirements of these covenants, we refer you to Note 6 of our condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Cash Requirements for Digital Television (“DTV”) Conversion

It will be expensive to convert our and Mission’s stations from the current analog format to the digital broadcast format. This conversion required an average initial capital expenditure of approximately $0.2 million per station for low-power transmission of digital signal programming. Except for KNWA, all of the television stations we and Mission own and operate are broadcasting at least a low-power digital television signal. Digital conversion expenditures were $1.2 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

We estimate that it will require an average capital expenditure of approximately $1.5 million per station (for 36 stations) to modify our and Mission’s stations’ DTV transmitting equipment for full-power digital signal transmission, including costs for the transmitter, transmission line, antenna and installation, and estimated costs for tower upgrades and/or modifications. We anticipate these expenditures will be funded through available cash on hand and cash generated from operations as incurred in future years. Stations that fail to meet the FCC’s build-out deadlines, and that have not requested an extension of time from the FCC, will lose interference protection for their signals outside their low-power coverage areas. As of March 31, 2006, only Mission’s stations WUTR, WTVO and WYOU and Nexstar’s stations WBRE, WROC and KARK are broadcasting with full-power digital signals. We and Mission filed requests for extension of time to construct full-power DTV facilities for our top four network affiliates in the top one hundred markets. The FCC has not yet acted on these requests for extension of time.

No Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At March 31, 2006, 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. 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

Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the 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 intangible assets, bad debts, broadcast rights, trade and barter, income taxes, commitments and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from those estimates. 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 on pages 53 through 56 in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. Management believes that as of March 31, 2006 there has been no material change to this information.

Stock Option Expense Recognition

We recognize the expense related to our stock options over the period that the employee is required to provide services, and only to the extent the awards vest. Therefore, we apply an estimated forfeiture rate assumption to adjust compensation cost for the effect of those employees that are not expected to complete the requisite service period and will forfeit nonvested options. We base the forfeiture-rate assumption on Nexstar’s historical experience of award forfeitures, and as necessary, adjusted for certain events that are not expected to recur during the expected term of the option.

 

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We determine the fair value of employee stock options at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Our valuation of employee stock options rely on assumptions of factors we are required to input into the Black-Scholes model. These assumptions are highly subjective and involve an estimate of future uncertain events. The option pricing model requires us to input factors for expected stock price volatility and the expected term until exercise of the option award. Due to our limited history of publicly traded shares, we combine our historical stock price data and volatilities of peer companies in the television broadcasting industry when determining expected volatility. Based on a lack of historical option exercise experience and our current granting of stock options with “plain vanilla” characteristics, we use the simplified method provided in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 to estimate the expected term of our employee stock options.

The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the value of exchange-traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. The Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different than traded options. If the Black-Scholes model adequately permitted consideration of the unique characteristics of employee stock options, the results of the fair value of stock options could be different.

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 our adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” and other recently issued accounting pronouncements, including our expected date of adoption and effects on results of operations and financial position.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 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, 2005 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.

All borrowings at March 31, 2006 under the senior credit facilities bear interest at 6.73%, which represented the base rate, or LIBOR, plus the applicable margin, as defined. Interest is payable in accordance with the credit agreements.

The following table estimates the changes to cash flow from operations as of March 31, 2006 if interest rates were to fluctuate by 100 or 50 basis points, or BPS (where 100 basis points represents one percentage point), for a twelve-month period:

 

    

Interest rate

decrease

   No change to
interest rate
  

Interest rate

increase

     100 BPS    50 BPS       50 BPS    100 BPS
     (in thousands)

Senior credit facilities

   $ 19,640    $ 21,354    $ 23,068    $ 24,781    $ 26,495

7% senior subordinated notes due 2014(1)

     14,000      14,000      14,000      14,000      14,000

11.375% senior discount notes due 2013(1)

     12,212      12,212      12,212      12,212      12,212
                                  

Total

   $ 45,852    $ 47,566    $ 49,280    $ 50,993    $ 52,707
                                  

(1) There is no change to our cash flow from operations associated with our senior subordinated and senior discount notes because these are fixed rate debt obligations. As of March 31, 2006, we have no financial instruments in place to hedge against changes in the benchmark interest rates on this fixed rate debt.

 

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In the past, we have used derivative instruments to manage our exposures to interest rate risks. As of March 31, 2006, we had no derivative financial instruments. Our objective for holding derivatives is to minimize these risks using the most effective methods to eliminate or reduce the impacts of these exposures. We used interest rate swap arrangements, not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133, in connection with our variable rate senior credit facilities. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

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

Our management, with the participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer along with our 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.

Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (i) were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting material information required to be included in our periodic filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and (ii) include controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with the SEC was accumulated and communicated to management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

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

 

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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.

On March 15, 2006, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (“NALF”) with respect to certain CBS-affiliated television stations in the Central and Mountain time zones, wherein the FCC determined that these stations had broadcast material that apparently violates Section 73.3999 of the Commission’s rules regarding the broadcast of indecent material. Specifically, the FCC found that a December 31, 2004 broadcast of the program “Without a Trace” contained material that is actionably indecent. The FCC proposed a monetary forfeiture of $32,500 per station for this violation, including fines for Nexstar’s stations WCIA, WMBD, KLST, KTAB and KLBK and Mission’s station KOLR. On April 14, 2006, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. submitted an opposition to this NALF and on May 5, 2006, the CBS network affiliates submitted a separate opposition to this NALF. We are currently unable to predict when or how the FCC will respond to these oppositions; however, the FCC must respond before any station is required to pay the proposed fine.

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, 2005.

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

ITEM 5. Other Information

None.

ITEM 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit Index

10.1   Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2006, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. and Matthew E. Devine. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.122 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
10.2   Stock Grant Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2006, by and between Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. and Matthew E. Devine. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.123 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50478) filed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.)
31.1   Certification of Perry A. Sook pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2   Certification of Matthew E. Devine 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 Matthew E. Devine 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/ MATTHEW E. DEVINE

By:   Matthew E. Devine
Its:   Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)

Dated: May 10, 2006

 

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