NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP, INC. - Quarter Report: 2016 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016

OR

For the transition period from                     to                     .

Commission File Number: 000-50478

NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(972) 373-8800

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that it was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No   ☒

As of November 7, 2016, the registrant had 30,704,854 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share information, unaudited)  

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 information, unaudited)

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

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

(in thousands, except share information, unaudited)

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 CASH FLOWS

(in thousands, unaudited)

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

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NEXSTAR BROADCASTING GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  Organization and Business Operations

As of September 30, 2016, Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“Nexstar”) owned, operated, programmed or provided sales and other services to 104 full power television stations, including those owned by variable interest entities (“VIEs”), in 62 markets in the states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. The stations are affiliates of ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, The CW, MyNetworkTV and other broadcast television networks. Through various local service agreements, Nexstar provided sales, programming and other services to 30 full power television stations owned and/or operated by independent third parties.

2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Nexstar and the accounts of independently-owned VIEs for which Nexstar is the primary beneficiary. Nexstar and the consolidated VIEs are collectively referred to as the “Company.” Noncontrolling interests represent the VIE owners’ share of the equity in the consolidated VIEs and are presented as a component separate from Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity. All intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Nexstar management evaluates each arrangement that may include variable interests and determines the need to consolidate an entity where it determines Nexstar is the primary beneficiary of a VIE in accordance with related authoritative literature and interpretive guidance. On August 2, 2016, Nexstar became the primary beneficiary of its variable interests in the stations currently owned by West Virginia Media Holdings, LLC (“WVMH”) and consolidated these stations as of that date. See Note 2—Variable Interest Entities for additional information.

The following are assets of consolidated VIEs that are not available to settle the obligations of Nexstar and liabilities of consolidated VIEs for which their creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of Nexstar (in thousands):

Liquidity

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

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Interim Financial Statements

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2016 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair statement of the financial information included herein in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in Nexstar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.

Variable Interest Entities

Nexstar may determine that an entity is a VIE as a result of local service agreements entered into with the owner-operator of an entity. The term local service agreement generally refers 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. A local service agreement can be (1) a time brokerage agreement (“TBA”) which allows Nexstar to program most of a station’s broadcast time, sell the station’s advertising time and retain the advertising revenue generated in exchange for monthly payments, based on the station’s monthly operating expenses, (2) a shared services agreement (“SSA”) which allows the Nexstar station in the market to provide services including news production, technical maintenance and security, in exchange for Nexstar’s right to receive certain payments as described in the SSA, or (3) a joint sales agreement (“JSA”) which permits Nexstar to sell certain of the station’s advertising time and retain a percentage of the related revenue, as described in the JSA. As of January 1, 2016, the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which did not change the consolidation status of any of the Company’s VIEs.

Consolidated VIEs

Mission Broadcasting, Inc. (“Mission”), Marshall Broadcasting Group, Inc. (“Marshall”), White Knight Broadcasting (“White Knight”) and Parker Broadcasting of Colorado, LLC (“Parker”) are consolidated by Nexstar because Nexstar is deemed under U.S. GAAP to have controlling financial interests in these entities for financial reporting purposes as a result of (1) local service agreements Nexstar has with the stations owned by these entities, (2) Nexstar’s guarantees of the obligations incurred under Mission’s and Marshall’s senior secured credit facilities (see Note 6), (3) Nexstar having power over significant activities affecting these entities’ economic performance, including budgeting for advertising revenue, certain advertising sales and, for Mission, White Knight and Parker, hiring and firing of sales force personnel and (4) purchase options granted by Mission and White Knight which permit Nexstar to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of each Mission and White Knight station, subject to Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) consent.

In connection with Nexstar’s acquisition of four full power television stations from WVMH, Nexstar began providing programming and sales services to these stations through a TBA with WVMH effective December 1, 2015. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Nexstar will pay an aggregate base fee of $7.5 million in equal monthly payments from the effective date through the final closing of the acquisition which is expected to occur at the end of 2016. Nexstar has determined that it has variable interests in the WVMH stations. However, if the acquisition is not consummated for reasons beyond the control of Nexstar and WVMH, the TBA will terminate no later than June 30, 2017. Thus, Nexstar previously determined that it was not the primary beneficiary of its variable interests on these stations. On August 2, 2016, Nexstar received approval from the FCC to acquire the stations’ remaining assets. Due to this development, the acquisition becomes probable of occurring and Nexstar now holds the ultimate power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the stations’ economic performance including developing the annual operating budget, advertising sales and oversight and control of sales force personnel. Therefore, Nexstar became the primary beneficiary of its variable interests and consolidated these stations as of August 2, 2016. See Note 3 for additional information.

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The following table summarizes the various local service agreements Nexstar had in effect as of September 30, 2016 with Mission, Marshall, Parker, White Knight and WVMH:

Nexstar’s ability to receive cash from Mission, Marshall, Parker, White Knight and the WVMH stations is governed by the local service agreements. Under these agreements, Nexstar has received substantially all of the consolidated VIEs’ available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations. Nexstar anticipates it will continue to receive substantially all of the consolidated VIEs’ available cash, after satisfaction of operating costs and debt obligations. In compliance with FCC regulations for all the parties, Mission, Marshall, Parker, White Knight and WVMH maintain complete responsibility for and control over programming, finances, personnel and operation of their stations.

The carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of the VIEs which have been included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in thousands):

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Non-Consolidated VIEs

Nexstar has an outsourcing agreement with Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation (“Cunningham”), which continues through December 31, 2017. Under the outsourcing agreement, Nexstar provides certain engineering, production, sales and administrative services for WYZZ, the FOX affiliate in the Peoria, Illinois market, through WMBD, the Nexstar television station in that market. During the term of the outsourcing agreement, Nexstar retains the broadcasting revenue and related expenses of WYZZ and is obligated to pay a monthly fee based on the combined operating cash flow of WMBD and WYZZ, as defined in the agreement.

Nexstar has determined that it has a variable interest in WYZZ. Nexstar has evaluated its arrangements with Cunningham and has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest in this station because it does not have the ultimate power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the station’s economic performance, which we define as developing the annual operating budget, programming and oversight and control of sales management personnel. Therefore, Nexstar has not consolidated this station under authoritative guidance related to the consolidation of VIEs. Under the local service agreement for WYZZ, Nexstar pays for certain operating expenses, and therefore may have unlimited exposure to any potential operating losses. Nexstar’s management believes that Nexstar’s minimum exposure to loss under the WYZZ agreement consists of the fees paid to Cunningham. Additionally, Nexstar indemnifies the owners of WYZZ from and against all liability and claims arising out of or resulting from its activities, acts or omissions in connection with the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments Nexstar could be required to make for such indemnification is undeterminable at this time.

As discussed above, Nexstar previously determined that it was not the primary beneficiary of its variable interests in the stations currently owned by WVMH. On August 2, 2016, Nexstar became the primary beneficiary of its variable interests and consolidated these stations as of that date.

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Nexstar had balances in accounts payable of $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for fees under these arrangements and had receivables for advertising aired on these stations of $0.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Fees incurred under these arrangements of $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $4.0 million and $0.5 million during each of the nine months then ended, were included in direct operating expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, broadcast rights, accounts payable, broadcast rights payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

On July 27, 2016, Nexstar Escrow Corporation (“Nexstar Escrow”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nexstar, completed the sale and issuance of $900.0 million of 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 at par (the “5.625% Notes”). The gross proceeds from these notes, plus Nexstar’s pre-funding of $14.1 million interest, have been deposited into a segregated escrow account and invested into money market funds and government obligations which are valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1). These funds are restricted until certain conditions are satisfied, including the consummation of Nexstar’s proposed merger with Media General, Inc. (“Media General”) (See Notes 3 and 6). As of September 30, 2016, the pre-funded interest is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and the gross proceeds from the notes plus the investment income earned are presented as non-current restricted cash in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

See Note 6 for fair value disclosures related to the Company’s debt.

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Income Per Share

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

Stock options and restricted stock units to acquire a weighted average of 224,000 shares and 879,000 shares for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and 468,000 shares and 932,000 shares during each of the respective nine months then ended of Class A common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, because their impact would have been anti-dilutive.

Income Taxes

The Company expects to be able to utilize the excess tax benefits related to stock option exercises that occurred in 2013 during the 2016 tax year.  This resulted in a recognition of $13.2 million of deferred tax assets through accumulated paid in capital during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Basis of Presentation

Certain prior year financial statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU 2014-09), which updates the accounting guidance on revenue recognition. This standard is intended to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices and improve disclosure requirements. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Transition to the new guidance may be done using either a full or modified retrospective method. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of the accounting standard update.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement (ASU 2015-05). ASU 2015-05 provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes software. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The new guidance does not change the accounting for a customer’s service contracts. The Company has applied the change in accounting prospectively as of January 1, 2016. The change in accounting principle did not have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or stockholders’ equity.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02). The new guidance requires the recording of assets and liabilities arising from leases on the balance sheet accompanied by enhanced qualitative and quantitative disclosures in the notes to the financial statements.  The new guidance is expected to provide transparency of information and comparability among organizations. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of the accounting standard update.

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In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting (ASU 2016-07). The purpose of the amendment eliminates the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amendments in ASU 2016-07 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2016-09). The standard is intended to simplify several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the income tax impact, classification on the statement of cash flows and forfeitures. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of the accounting standard update.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (ASU 2016-08). The purpose of ASU 2016-08 is to clarify the implementation of guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (ASU 2016-10), which clarifies the implementation guidance in identifying performance obligations in a contract and determining whether an entity’s promise to grant a license provides a customer with either a right to use the entity’s intellectual property (which is satisfied at a point in time) or a right to access the entity’s intellectual property (which is satisfied over time). In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients (ASU 2016-12). The standard amends guidance in the new revenue standard on collectibility, noncash consideration, presentation of sales tax, and transition and are intended to address implementation issues that were raised by stakeholders and provide additional practical expedients. The effective date and transition requirements for ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-12 are the same as those for ASU 2014-09 discussed above. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these updates on its financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force) (ASU 2016-15). The amendments in ASU 2016-15 address eight specific cash flow issues and apply to all entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows under FASB Accounting Standards Codification 230, Statement of Cash Flows. The amendments in ASU 2016-15 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption during an interim period. The Company does not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material impact on its statements of cash flows.

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3.  Acquisitions and Dispositions

WVMH

On November 16, 2015, Nexstar entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of four CBS and NBC full power television stations from WVMH for $130.0 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital. The stations affiliated with CBS are WOWK in the Charleston-Huntington, West Virginia market, WTRF in the Wheeling, West Virginia-Steubenville, Ohio market and WVNS in the Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill, West Virginia market. WBOY in the Clarksburg-Weston, West Virginia market is affiliated with NBC. The acquisition will allow Nexstar entrance into these markets. Nexstar began providing programming and sales services to these stations pursuant to a TBA effective December 1, 2015 which will terminate upon completion of the acquisition.

On January 4, 2016, Nexstar completed the first closing of the transaction and acquired the stations’ assets excluding certain transmission equipment, the FCC licenses and network affiliation agreements for $65.0 million, including a deposit paid upon signing the purchase agreement of $6.5 million, all funded through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under Nexstar’s revolving credit facility (See Note 6).

Subject to final determination, which is expected to occur within twelve months of the acquisition date, the provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the first closing are as follows (in thousands):

Other intangible assets are amortized over an estimated weighted average useful life of three years.

The arrangement with WVMH allows Nexstar to return the assets acquired in the first closing if the second closing cannot be completed for reasons beyond the control of Nexstar and WVMH. Since not all assets needed to operate the stations were acquired in January 2016, the first closing does not represent an acquisition of a business. Thus, the excess of total payments in the first closing over the provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was considered a deposit.

As discussed in Note 2, Nexstar became the primary beneficiary of its variable interests in WVMH’s stations upon receiving FCC approval on August 2, 2016 to acquire the stations’ remaining assets. Therefore, Nexstar has consolidated these assets under authoritative guidance related to the consolidation of VIEs as of this date. Subject to final determination, which is expected to occur within twelve months of the acquisition date, the provisional fair values of the remaining assets consolidated are as follows (in thousands):

The fair value assigned to goodwill is attributable to future expense reductions utilizing management’s leverage in programming and other station operating costs. The goodwill and FCC licenses are deductible for tax purposes. The intangible assets related to the network affiliation agreements are amortized over 15 years.

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The consolidation of the remaining assets of the WVMH stations resulted in non-controlling interests of $108.5 million, representing the estimated fair value attributable to the owners.

The remaining purchase price of $65.0 million is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations prior to the second closing and borrowings under Nexstar’s senior secured credit facility which is expected to occur at the end of 2016. Transaction costs relating to this acquisition, including legal and professional fees of $0.1 million, were expensed as incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

The stations’ net revenue of $9.0 million and operating income of $1.5 million from August 2, 2016 to September 30, 2016 have been included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Reiten

On February 1, 2016, Nexstar completed the acquisition of the assets of four full power television stations from Reiten Television, Inc. (“Reiten”) for $44.0 million in cash, funded by a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under Nexstar’s revolving credit facility (See Note 6). The purchase price includes a $2.2 million deposit paid by Nexstar upon signing the purchase agreement in September 2015. The stations, all affiliated with CBS at acquisition, are KXMA, KXMB, KXMC and KXMD in the Minot-Bismarck-Dickinson, North Dakota market. KXMA, KXMB and KXMD are satellite stations of KXMC. This acquisition allows Nexstar entrance into this market. Transaction costs relating to this acquisition, including legal and professional fees of $0.1 million, were expensed as incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Subject to final determination, which is expected to occur within twelve months of the acquisition date, the provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition are as follows (in thousands):

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

The stations’ net revenue of $2.6 million and break-even from operations during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and net revenue of $8.1 million and operating income of $0.7 million from the date of acquisition to September 30, 2016 have been included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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KCWI

On March 14, 2016, Nexstar completed the acquisition of the assets of KCWI, the CW affiliate in the Des Moines-Ames, Iowa market, from Pappas Telecasting of Iowa, LLC (“Pappas”) for $3.9 million. A deposit of $0.2 million was paid upon signing the purchase agreement in October 2014. No significant transaction costs relating to this acquisition were incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Subject to final determination, which is expected to occur within twelve months of the acquisition date, the provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition are as follows (in thousands):

The fair value assigned to goodwill is attributable to future expense reductions utilizing management’s leverage in programming and other station operating costs. The goodwill and FCC licenses are deductible for tax purposes.

KCWI’s net revenue of $1.2 million and operating income of $1.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and net revenue of $2.0 million and operating income of $1.8 million from the date of acquisition to September 30, 2016 have been included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Kixer

In October 2015, Lakana LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nexstar, acquired Kixer, Inc. (“Kixer”) from Centrility, LLC, Keith Bonnici and Know Media, LLC. In addition to the base purchase price that Nexstar paid in October 2015, the sellers could also receive up to $7.0 million in cash payments if certain revenue targets are met during the year 2016 (the “Earnout Payments”). In September 2016, payments totaling $2.0 million were made to the sellers under this arrangement. The estimated fair value of remaining obligations under the Earnout Payments was $4.4 million as of September 30, 2016 and $3.0 million as of December 31, 2015, included in accrued expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The increases in the accrual is attributable to periodic re-measurement of the estimated fair value which have been included in selling, general and administrative expense, excluding depreciation and amortization in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Unaudited Pro Forma Information

The acquisitions of four full power television stations from Reiten, four full power television stations from WVMH, KCWI from Pappas and Kixer from Centrility, LLC, Keith Bonnici and Know Media, LLC are not significant for financial reporting purposes, both individually and in aggregate. Therefore, pro forma information has not been provided for these acquisitions.

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Future Acquisition

Media General

On January 27, 2016, Nexstar entered into a definitive merger agreement with Media General, whereby Nexstar will acquire the latter’s outstanding equity for $10.55 per share in cash and 0.1249 of a share of Nexstar’s Class A common stock for each Media General share. The terms of the agreement also include potential additional consideration to Media General shareholders in the form of a non-transferable contingent value right (“CVR”) for each Media General share entitling Media General shareholders to net cash proceeds, if any, from the sale of Media General’s spectrum in the FCC’s spectrum auction. Depending on the timing of the FCC auction, the CVR may be issued before or at the time of the merger. Each unvested Media General stock option outstanding prior to the completion of the merger will become fully vested and will be converted into an option to purchase Nexstar’s Class A common stock, pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement. Additionally, unless the CVR has been issued prior to the completion of the merger, the holders of Media General stock options will also be entitled to one CVR for each share subject to the Media General stock option immediately prior to the completion of the merger. All other equity-based awards of Media General that are outstanding prior to the merger will vest in full and will be converted into the right to receive the cash, stock and contingent consideration as described above, subject to the terms of the merger agreement. The total consideration for this proposed acquisition is approximately $2.3 billion in cash and stock, estimated based on Nexstar’s Class A common stock market price per share of $57.71 on September 30, 2016 and Media General’s diluted common shares outstanding, plus the potential CVR. It is estimated that the existing Nexstar shareholders will own approximately 66% and Media General shareholders will own approximately 34% of the combined company’s outstanding shares after closing. The transaction costs relating to this proposed acquisition, including legal and professional fees of $0.9 million and $7.1 million, were expensed as incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

The merger agreement contains certain termination rights for both Nexstar and Media General. If the merger agreement is terminated in connection with Media General entering into a definitive agreement for a superior proposal, as well as under certain other circumstances, the termination fee payable to Nexstar will be $80.0 million. The merger agreement also provides that Nexstar will be required to pay a termination fee to Media General of $80.0 million if the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances. Either party may terminate the merger agreement if the merger is not consummated on or before January 27, 2017, with an automatic extension to April 27, 2017, if necessary to obtain regulatory approval under circumstances specified in the merger agreement.

Nexstar received committed financing up to a maximum of $4.7 billion from a group of commercial banks to provide the debt financing in the form of credit facilities and notes to consummate the merger and to refinance certain existing indebtedness of the Company and Media General. The debt refinancing will include the outstanding obligations under the Company’s term loans and revolving credit facilities. On July 27, 2016, Nexstar Escrow completed the sale and issuance of $900.0 million of 5.625% Notes at par. The proceeds, which were deposited into a segregated escrow account, are expected to be used to partially finance the merger and to refinance certain existing indebtedness of Nexstar and Media General at closing. See Note 6 for additional information with respect to these notes.

On June 8, 2016, the merger was approved by the shareholders of both companies. The merger is subject to FCC regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. In order to comply with the FCC’s local television ownership rule, to meet the U.S. television household national ownership cap and to obtain FCC and Department of Justice approval of the proposed merger, Nexstar entered into various definitive agreements in May and June 2016 to sell: (i) the assets of two television stations in two markets to Graham Media Group, Inc. for a total consideration of $120.0 million, plus working capital adjustments, (ii) the assets of two stations in one market to Bayou City Broadcasting Lafayette, Inc. for $40.0 million in cash, plus working capital adjustments, (iii) the assets of one station to Marquee Broadcasting, Inc. for $350 thousand in cash, (iv) the assets of two television stations in two markets to Gray Television Group, Inc. for $270.0 million in cash, plus working capital adjustments, (v) the assets of five stations in five markets to USA Television MidAmerican Holdings, LLC (an affiliate of MSouth Equity Partners and Heartland Media, LLC) for $115.0 million in cash, plus working capital adjustments, and (vi) certain assets of one station to Ramar Communications, Inc. for $2.5 million in cash, plus working capital adjustments. Six of the proposed station divestitures are currently owned by Nexstar and seven are currently owned by Media General. The proceeds are expected to be used to partially finance the merger and the refinancing of certain existing indebtedness of the Company and Media General at closing.

Upon completion of the merger, the required divestitures and the debt refinancing, which are all expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2016, the combined company will be named Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

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4.  Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands):

The increases in network affiliation agreements and other definite-lived intangible assets relate to Nexstar’s acquisitions as discussed in Note 3.

The following table presents the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for the remainder of 2016, each of the five succeeding years ended December 31 and thereafter for definite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2016 (in thousands):

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

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. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company did not identify any events that would trigger impairment assessment.

5.  Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

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6.  Debt

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

2016 Transactions

In January and February 2016, Nexstar borrowed a total of $58.0 million under its revolving credit facility to partially fund the Reiten and WVMH acquisitions discussed in Note 3. Through September 2016, Nexstar fully repaid the $58.0 million outstanding principal balance under its revolving credit facility funded by cash on hand.

Through September 2016, Nexstar, Mission and Marshall paid the contractual maturities under their senior secured credit facilities totaling $15.1 million.

On July 27, 2016, Nexstar Escrow completed the issuance and sale of $900.0 million of 5.625% Notes at par. These notes will mature on August 1, 2024 and interest is payable semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year beginning on February 1, 2017. The gross proceeds of the 5.625% Notes, plus Nexstar’s pre-funding of $14.1 million interest, have been deposited into a segregated escrow account which cannot be utilized until certain conditions are satisfied. Among other things, such conditions include the consummation of the Nexstar and Media General merger and the assumption by Nexstar of all of the obligations of Nexstar Escrow under the 5.625% Notes, which are all expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2016 (collectively, the “Escrow Release Conditions”). Following satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions, the proceeds from the 5.625% Notes will be used to partially finance the merger, to refinance certain existing indebtedness of Nexstar and Media General, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. If the merger is not consummated on or prior to April 27, 2017, or if the merger agreement is terminated, the 5.625% Notes are subject to a special mandatory redemption equal to the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, from the issue date of the 5.625% Notes up to, but not including, the date of such special mandatory redemption.

Prior to the consummation of the Nexstar and Media General merger, the 5.625% Notes will not be guaranteed, but will be secured by a first-priority security interest in the escrow account and all deposits and investment property therein. Following satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions, the 5.625% Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Nexstar and will be guaranteed by Mission and certain of Nexstar’s and Mission’s future wholly-owned subsidiaries, subject to certain customary release provisions. The 5.625% Notes will be junior to the secured debt of the Company, including the Nexstar, Mission and Marshall senior secured credit facilities, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt. The 5.625% Notes will rank equal to Nexstar’s 6.875% senior unsecured notes due 2020 (the “6.875% Notes”) and 6.125% senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the “6.125% Notes”).

Nexstar recorded $15.8 million in legal, professional and underwriting fees related to the issuance of the 5.625% Notes, which were capitalized as debt finance costs and are amortized over the term of the 5.625% Notes. Debt financing costs are netted against the carrying amount of the related debt.

Unused Commitments and Borrowing Availability

The Company had $103.0 million of total unused revolving loan commitments under its amended senior secured credit facilities, all of which was available for borrowing, based on the covenant calculations as of September 30, 2016. The Company’s ability to access funds under its senior secured credit facilities depends, in part, on its compliance with certain financial covenants. As of September 30, 2016, Nexstar was in compliance with its financial covenants.

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Collateralization and Guarantees of Debt

The Company’s senior secured credit facilities are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all the combined assets, excluding FCC licenses and the other assets of consolidated VIEs unavailable to creditors of Nexstar (See Note 2). Nexstar guarantees full payment of all obligations incurred under the Mission and Marshall senior secured credit facilities in the event of their default. Similarly, Mission and Marshall are guarantors of the Nexstar senior secured credit facility. Mission is also a guarantor of Nexstar’s 6.875% Notes, 6.125% Notes and 5.625% Notes.

Fair Value of Debt

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

7.  FCC Regulatory Matters

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

The FCC has adopted rules with respect to the final conversion of existing low power and television translator stations to digital operations, which must be completed within 51 months after the completion of the broadcast television incentive auction.

Media Ownership

The FCC is required to review its media ownership rules every four years and to eliminate those rules it finds no longer serve the “public interest, convenience and necessity.”

In August 2016, the FCC adopted a Second Report and Order (the “2016 Ownership Order”) concluding the agency’s 2010 and 2014 quadrennial reviews.  The 2016 Ownership Order (1) retains the existing local television ownership rule and radio/television cross-ownership rule (with minor technical modifications to address the transition to digital television broadcasting), (2) extends the current ban on common ownership of two top-four television stations in a market to network affiliation swaps, (3) retains the existing ban on newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership in local markets while considering waivers and providing an exception for failed or failing entities, (4) retains the existing dual network rule and (5) defines a category of sharing agreements designated as SSAs between stations and requires public disclosure of those SSAs (while not considering them attributable).

In March 2014, the FCC adopted a rule making television JSAs attributable to the seller of advertising time in certain circumstances. Under this rule, where a party owns a full-power television station in a market and sells more than 15% of the weekly advertising time for another, non-owned station in the same market under a JSA, that party was deemed to have an attributable interest in the latter station for purposes of the local television ownership rule. Parties to newly attributable JSAs that did not comply with the local television ownership rule were given two years to modify or terminate their JSAs to come into compliance. However, subsequent federal legislation extended the JSA compliance deadline until September 30, 2025.

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In May 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued a decision that vacated the JSA attribution rule and remanded it to the FCC.  The court determined that the FCC had violated the Communications Act by adopting the JSA attribution rule without determining, through the quadrennial review process, that the underlying local television ownership rule remains in the public interest.  In its 2016 Ownership Order, however, the FCC reimposed the JSA attribution rule while extending the compliance period for pre-March 2014 JSAs to September 30, 2025.  If Nexstar is required to modify or terminate its JSAs or other local service agreements, it could lose some or all of the revenues generated from those arrangements due to the reduction in audience reach to its advertisers and receipt of less revenues from them.  The FCC’s 2016 Ownership Order is subject to appeal.

The FCC’s media ownership rules limit the percentage of U.S. television households which a party may reach through its attributable interests in television stations to 39% on a nationwide basis.  Historically, the FCC has counted the ownership of an ultra-high frequency (“UHF”) station as reaching only 50% of a market’s percentage of total national audience. On August 24, the FCC adopted a Report and Order abolishing the UHF discount for the purposes of a licensee’s determination of compliance with the 39% national cap.  This rule change became effective October 24, 2016. Nexstar is in compliance with the 39% national cap limitation and will remain in compliance upon completion of the merger with Media General.

Spectrum

The FCC is seeking to make additional spectrum available to meet future wireless broadband needs. In February 2012, the U.S. Congress adopted legislation authorizing the FCC to conduct an incentive auction whereby television broadcasters could voluntarily relinquish their spectrum in exchange for consideration. The FCC has released various orders and public notices which set forth procedures for the incentive auction and the subsequent “repacking” of broadcast television spectrum and resolve various technical and other issues related to the incentive auction, the possible sharing of channels by television stations, and the repurposing of television spectrum for broadband use.  The incentive auction commenced on March 29, 2016 and is ongoing.  Nexstar and certain of its local service agreement partners filed applications to participate in the incentive auction. The reallocation of television spectrum for wireless broadband use will require many television stations to change channel or otherwise modify their technical facilities after the incentive auction concludes.  The FCC has solicited comment on a proposed schedule for this transition. The reallocation of television spectrum to broadband use may be to the detriment of the Company’s investment in digital facilities, could require substantial additional investment to continue current operations, and may require viewers to invest in additional equipment or subscription services to continue receiving broadcast television signals. The Company cannot predict the impact of the incentive auction and subsequent repacking on its business.

Retransmission Consent

On March 3, 2011, the FCC initiated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to reexamine its rules (i) governing the requirements for good faith negotiations between multichannel video program distributors (“MVPDs”) and broadcasters, including implementing a prohibition on one station negotiating retransmission consent terms for another station under a local service agreement; (ii) for providing advance notice to consumers in the event of dispute; and (iii) to extend certain cable-only obligations to all MVPDs. The FCC also asked for comment on eliminating the network non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity protection rules, which may permit MVPDs to import out-of-market television stations during a retransmission consent dispute.

In March 2014, the FCC adopted a rule that prohibits joint retransmission consent negotiation between television stations in the same market which are not commonly owned and which are ranked among the top four stations in the market in terms of audience share.  On December 5, 2014, federal legislation extended the joint negotiation prohibition to all non-commonly owned television stations in a market. This new rule requires Mission and other independent third parties with which Nexstar has local service agreements to separately negotiate retransmission consent agreements. The December 2014 legislation also directed the FCC to commence a rulemaking to “review its totality of the circumstances test for good faith [retransmission consent] negotiations.”  The FCC commenced this proceeding in September 2015 and comments and reply comments have been submitted.  In July 2016, the Chairman of the FCC publicly announced that the agency would not adopt additional rules in this proceeding.