<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1999
REGISTRATION NO. 333-79325
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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DELAWARE 7812 58-0971455
(State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number)
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ONE MEADOWLANDS PLAZA
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY 07073-2137
(201) 531-8000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)
ARNOLD L. WADLER, ESQ.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
ONE MEADOWLANDS PLAZA
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY 07073-2137
(201) 531-8000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
------------------------
Copies to:
DOUGLAS A. CIFU, ESQ.
JAMES M. DUBIN, ESQ.
PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON
1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-6064
212-373-3000
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after
this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. / /
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
--------------------------
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE PER AGGREGATE OFFERING REGISTRATION FEE
OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED SHARE PRICE (1) (1)(2)
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Series B 10 1/2% Senior Discount Notes Due 2007... $212,520,268 100% $212,520,268 $59,081
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(1) The registration fee has been calculated pursuant to Rule 457(f)(1) under
the Securities Act of 1933 by multiplying .000278 by $212,520,268, the
aggregate value of the securities to be registered.
(2) A fee of $58,475 was paid by Metromedia International Group, Inc. with
respect to this transaction on May 26, 1999 pursuant to its initial filing
on Form S-4 under the Securities Act. Pursuant to Rule 457(b) under the
Securities Act, the amount of this previously paid fee has been credited
against the filing fee which would otherwise be payable in connection with
this filing. Accordingly, an additional fee of $606 is required to be paid
with this Registration Statement.
--------------------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION,
ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
<PAGE>
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE AMENDED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL NOR IS IT SEEKING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE
THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
<PAGE>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 1999
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
EXCHANGE OFFER FOR $212,520,268 OF ITS
SERIES A 10 1/2% SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
- It will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on 1999,
unless we extend it.
- If all the conditions to this exchange offer are satisfied, we will
exchange all old notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn.
- You may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time before the
expiration of this exchange offer.
- The exchange notes that we will issue you in exchange for your old notes
will be substantially identical to your old notes except that, unlike your
old notes, the exchange notes will have no transfer restrictions or
registration rights.
- The exchange notes that we will issue you in exchange for your old notes
are new securities with no established market for trading.
BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN THIS EXCHANGE OFFER, PLEASE REFER TO THE SECTION IN
THIS PROSPECTUS ENTITLED "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 11.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
------------------------
The date of this prospectus is , 1999.
------------------------
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PAGE
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Summary................................................................................................... 1
Risk Factors.............................................................................................. 11
Use of Proceeds........................................................................................... 28
Capitalization............................................................................................ 28
Metromedia International Group............................................................................ 29
About Our Merger with PLD Telekom......................................................................... 32
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information.............................................. 34
The Exchange Offer........................................................................................ 42
Description of the Notes.................................................................................. 50
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations................................................... 82
Plan of Distribution...................................................................................... 86
Legal Matters............................................................................................. 86
Experts................................................................................................... 86
Available Information..................................................................................... 88
Documents Incorporated by Reference....................................................................... 89
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<PAGE>
SUMMARY
THIS SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS SOME INFORMATION FROM THIS PROSPECTUS. BECAUSE IT IS
A SUMMARY, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER
BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN THIS EXCHANGE OFFER. YOU SHOULD READ THE ENTIRE
PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY, INCLUDING THE SECTION ENTITLED "RISK FACTORS" AND THE
SUMMARY AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED NOTES TO THOSE STATEMENTS
INCLUDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
ABOUT OUR BUSINESS
We are a global communications company. Through our communications group, we
are engaged in the development and operation of a variety of communications
businesses in Eastern Europe, the republics of the former Soviet Union, the
People's Republic of China and other selected emerging markets. These businesses
include cellular telecommunications, fixed telephony, international and long
distance telephony, cable television, paging and radio broadcasting. See
"Metromedia International Group" on page 29.
Our objective is to establish ourselves as a major multiple-market provider
of modern communications services in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and
other selected emerging markets.
We also manufacture Snapper-Registered Trademark- brand power lawn and
garden equipment for sale to both residential and commercial customers. Snapper
sells its lawnmowers, garden tractors, lawn equipment, garden tillers and snow
throwers through its approximately 5,000-dealer network and through foreign
distributors. Our communication group's consolidated revenues represented
approximatley 12.6% of our total revenues and Snapper's revenues represented
approximately 87.4% of our total revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998. We view Snapper as a non-core asset and manage it in order to maximize
shareholder value.
On the date of this prospectus, we consummated the acquisition of PLD
Telekom Inc., a major provider of local, long distance and international
telecommunications services in the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Belarus.
PLD Telekom's five principal operating businesses are:
- PeterStar Company Limited: a provider of integrated local, long distance
and international telecommunications services in St. Petersburg through a
fully digital fiber optic network;
- Technocom Limited: a provider, through Teleport-TP, of dedicated
international telecommunications services to Russian and foreign
businesses in Moscow and an operator of a satellite-based pan-Russian long
distance network;
- Baltic Communications Limited: a provider of dedicated international
telecommunications services in St. Petersburg;
- ALTEL (formerly BECET International): a provider of a national cellular
service in Kazakhstan; and
- Belarus-Netherlands Belcel Joint Venture: a provider of the only national
cellular service in Belarus.
In addition, PLD Telekom is developing a portfolio of international long
distance products and services under the name "PLDncompass" targeted at carriers
and corporate customers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe
which require telecommunications services to and from the countries of the
former Soviet Union. Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled
"About Our Merger with PLD Telekom."
Our executive offices are located at One Meadowlands Plaza, East Rutherford,
New Jersey 07073-2137. Our telephone number is (201) 531-8000.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
We are offering to exchange $212,520,268 in aggregate principal amount at
maturity of our Series B 10 1/2% senior discount notes due 2007 for any and all
of our outstanding Series A 10 1/2% senior discount notes due 2007. We are
making this exchange offer in connection with our merger with PLD Telekom.
Please refer to the sections in this prospectus entitled "About Our Merger with
PLD Telekom" and "The Exchange Offer."
1
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EXCHANGE OFFER...................... We will exchange our exchange notes for a like
aggregate principal amount at maturity of our old
notes.
EXPIRATION DATE..................... This exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on , 1999, unless we
decide to extend it.
CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.... We will complete this exchange offer only if:
- there is no litigation or threatened litigation
which would impair our ability to proceed with this
exchange offer,
- there is no change in the laws and regulations
which would impair our ability to proceed with this
exchange offer,
- there is no change in the current interpretation of
the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
which permits resales of the exchange notes,
- there is no stop order issued by the Securities and
Exchange Commission which would suspend the
effectiveness of the registration statement which
includes this prospectus or the qualification of
the notes under the Trust Indenture Act, and
- we obtain all the governmental approvals we deem
necessary to complete this exchange offer.
Please refer to the section in this prospectus
entitled "The Exchange Offer--Conditions to the
Exchange Offer."
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD To participate in this exchange offer, you must
NOTES............................... complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal or
its facsimile and transmit it, together with your old
notes to be exchanged and all other documents
required by the letter of transmittal, to U.S. Bank
Trust National Association, as exchange agent, at its
address indicated under "The Exchange Offer--Exchange
Agent." In the alternative, you can tender your old
notes by book-entry delivery following the procedures
described in this prospectus. If your old notes are
registered in the name of a broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, you
should contact that person promptly to tender your
old notes in this exchange offer. For more
information on tendering your notes, please refer to
the section in this prospectus entitled "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old Notes."
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES...... If you wish to tender your old notes and you cannot
get the required documents to the exchange agent on
time, you may tender your notes by using the
guaranteed delivery procedures described under the
section of this prospectus entitled "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old Notes--Guaranteed
Delivery Procedure."
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2
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WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS................... You may withdraw the tender of your old notes at any
time before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
expiration date of the exchange offer. To withdraw,
you must send a written or facsimile transmission
notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent at its
address indicated under the "The Exchange
Offer--Exchange Agent" before 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the expiration date of the exchange
offer.
ACCEPTANCE OF OLD NOTES AND DELIVERY
OF EXCHANGE NOTES................... If all the conditions to the completion of this
exchange offer are satisfied, we will accept any and
all old notes that are properly tendered in this
exchange offer on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the expiration date. We will return any old
note that we do not accept for exchange to you
without expense as promptly as practicable after the
expiration date. We will deliver the exchange notes
to you as promptly as practicable after the
expiration date and acceptance of your old notes for
exchange. Please refer to the section in this
prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer--Acceptance
of Old Notes for Exchange; Delivery of Exchange
Notes."
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
RELATING TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER...... Exchanging your old notes for exchange notes should
not be a taxable event to you for United States
federal income tax purposes. Please refer to the
section of this prospectus entitled "Certain United
States Federal Income Tax Considerations."
EXCHANGE AGENT...................... U.S. Bank Trust National Association is serving as
exchange agent in the exchange offer.
FEES AND EXPENSES................... We will pay all expenses related to this exchange
offer. Please refer to the section of this prospectus
entitled "The Exchange Offer--Fees and Expenses."
USE OF PROCEEDS..................... We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of
the exchange notes. We are making this exchange offer
solely in connection with our merger with PLD Telekom
Inc. Please refer to the sections in this prospectus
entitled "Use of Proceeds" and "About Our Merger With
PLD Telekom."
CONSEQUENCES TO HOLDERS WHO DO NOT
PARTICIPATE IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER... If you do not participate in this exchange offer:
- you will not be able to require us to register your
old notes under the Securities Act,
- you will not be able to resell, offer to resell or
otherwise transfer your old notes unless they are
registered under the Securities Act or unless you
resell, offer to resell or otherwise transfer them
under an exemption from the registration
requirements of, or in a transaction not subject
to, the Securities Act, and
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3
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- the trading market for your old notes will become
more limited.
Please refer to the section in this exchange offer
entitled "Risk Factors--Your failure to participate
in the exchange offer will have adverse
consequences."
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THE EXCHANGE NOTES
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ISSUER.............................. Metromedia International Group, Inc.
MATURITY............................ , 2007.
INTEREST RATE AND PAYMENT DATES..... The exchange notes will accrete in value until
, 2002, 2 1/2 years from the old notes'
issue date, at a rate of 10 1/2% per year, compounded
semi-annually, to a principal amount of $1,291.55 per
note on , 2002, 2 1/2 years from the old
notes' issue date. The notes will not pay cash
interest before , 2002, 2 1/2 years from
the old notes' issue date. Thereafter, the notes will
pay interest in cash on and
of each year, commencing on , 2002, 3
years from the old notes' issue date, at a rate of
10 1/2% per year.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT............. We will issue the exchange notes at an original issue
discount for federal income tax purposes. As a
result, although cash interest will not be payable on
the exchange notes before , 2002,
original issue discount will accrue from the issue
date of the exchange notes and will be included as
interest income periodically, including for periods
ending before , 2002, in a holder's gross
income for federal income tax purposes before the
receipt of the cash payments to which this income is
attributable. Please refer to the section in this
prospectus entitled "Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Considerations."
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION................. We will not be able to redeem any of the exchange
notes before , 2002, 2 1/2 years from the
old notes' issue date. We will be able to redeem the
exchange notes at any time thereafter, at our sole
option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price
equal to the principal amount of the notes, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, through but
excluding the date of redemption. Please refer to the
section in this prospectus entitled "Description of
the Notes--Optional Redemption."
RANKING............................. The exchange notes will be senior unsecured
obligations of Metromedia International Group. They
will rank equal in right of payment to all our
existing and future senior indebtedness and will rank
senior in right of payment to all our subordinated
indebtedness. The exchange notes will not
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4
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be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. The
exchange notes will be effectively junior in right of
payment to:
- all of our existing and future secured indebtedness
to the extent of the assets that secure this
indebtedness, and
- all of our subsidiaries' existing or future
indebtedness, whether or not secured.
CHANGE OF CONTROL................... If a change of control of Metromedia International
Group occurs, you will have the right to require us
to make an offer to repurchase all of your exchange
notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of
their accreted value, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, through but excluding the date of
repurchase. We cannot assure you that we will have
available or that we will be able to obtain funds
sufficient to repurchase your exchange notes when
required by a change of control. Please refer to the
sections in this prospectus entitled "Risk
Factors--We may not be able to repay the notes upon a
change of control" and "Description of the
Notes--Change of Control."
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS............... The indenture under which the exchange notes will be
issued limits our ability and our subsidiaries'
ability to:
- incur additional indebtedness or issue capital
stock or preferred stock,
- pay dividends on, and repurchase or redeem our and
our subsidiaries', capital stock and repurchase or
redeem our subordinated obligations,
- invest and sell assets and subsidiary stock,
- engage in transactions with related entities, and
- incur additional liens.
In addition, the indenture for the exchange notes
limits our ability to engage in consolidations,
mergers and transfers of substantially all of our
assets and also contains limitations on restrictions
on distributions from our subsidiaries. All of these
limitations and prohibitions have a number of
important qualifications and exceptions. Please refer
to the sections in this prospectus entitled "Risk
Factors-- Restrictions imposed by our debt agreement
may significantly limit out business strategy and
increase the risk of default under our debt
obligations" and "Description of the Notes--Certain
Covenants."
ABSENCE OF A PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE
EXCHANGE NOTES...................... The exchange notes are new securities with no
established market for them. We cannot assure you
that a market for these notes will develop or that
this market will be liquid.
FORM OF THE NOTES................... The exchange notes will be represented by one or more
permanent global securities in bearer form deposited
on
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5
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behalf of The Depository Trust Company with U.S. Bank
Trust National Association, as custodian. You will
not receive exchange notes in registered form unless
one of the events described in the section of this
prospectus entitled "Description of the Notes--Book
Entry; Delivery and Form" occurs. Instead, beneficial
interests in the exchange notes will be shown on, and
transfers of these notes will be effected only
through, records maintained in book-entry form by The
Depository Trust Company with respect to its
participants.
RISK FACTORS........................ You should carefully consider all of the information
provided in this prospectus and, in particular, you
should evaluate the specific factors described under
"Risk Factors" on page 11 for a description of the
risks associated with this exchange offer and an
investment in the exchange notes.
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6
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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
We are providing the following historical financial information to aid you
in your analysis of the financial aspects of the exchange offer. The information
is only a summary and you should read it together with our consolidated
financial statements and other financial information contained in our most
recent annual and quarterly reports, which are incorporated by reference and
from which we derived this information. See "Available Information" on page 88.
METROMEDIA-HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in
conjunction with Metromedia International Group's consolidated financial
statements, including the notes thereto, and the other financial data
incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The consolidated statement of
operations data and consolidated balance sheet data as of and for the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 and the fiscal year ended February 28,
1995 are derived from the consolidated financial statements of Metromedia
International Group and the notes related thereto, which were audited by KPMG
LLP, independent certified public accountants. The consolidated financial
statements as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1998 and the report of KPMG LLP thereon,
are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The selected consolidated
statement of operations data and balance sheet data as of June 30, 1999 and for
the six-month periods ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 are derived from the
unaudited consolidated financial statements of Metromedia International Group
incorporated by reference in this prospectus which, in the opinion of
management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the
financial condition and results of operations of Metromedia International Group
for such periods. The results of operations for interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of a full year's operations. Net loss per share is
computed on the basis described in the notes to Metromedia International Group's
consolidated financial statements.
The consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1996
include two months (November and December 1996) of the results of operations of
Snapper, Inc. In addition, the consolidated financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 1995 include operations for The Actava Group Inc. and MCEG
Sterling Incorporated from November 1, 1995 and two months for Orion Pictures
Corporation (January and February 1995) that were included in the February 28,
1995 consolidated financial statements. The net loss for the two month duplicate
period is $11.4 million.
7
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SIX MONTHS
ENDED
JUNE 30, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER31, YEAR ENDED
-------------------- ------------------------------------------ FEBRUARY 28,
1999 1998 1998 1997 1996 1995 1995
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(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
Consolidated Statement of
Operations Data:
Revenues.......................... $ 132,647 $ 134,458 $ 240,292 $ 204,328 $ 36,592 $ 5,158 $ 3,545
Equity in losses of unconsolidated
investees (1)................... (5,933) (7,645) (18,151) (53,150) (7,835) (6,367) (1,785)
Loss from continuing operations
(1) (2)......................... (22,877) (45,152) (135,986) (130,901) (72,146) (36,265) (19,141)
Net income (loss)................. $ (22,877) $ (39,885) $(123,670) $ 88,443 $(115,243) $(412,976) $ (69,411)
Income (loss) per common share--
Basic:
Continuing operations........... $ (0.44) $ (0.77) $ (2.19) $ (2.02) $ (1.33) $ (1.48) $ (0.95)
Net income (loss)............... $ (0.44) $ (0.69) $ (2.01) $ 1.26 $ (2.12) $ (16.83) $ (3.43)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
(4)............................. -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Weighted average common shares
outstanding..................... 69,137 68,810 68,955 66,961 54,293 24,541 20,246
Dividends per common share........ -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(at end of period):
Total assets (3).................. $ 559,532 N/A $ 609,641 $ 789,272 $ 513,118 $ 328,600 $ 40,282
Notes and subordinated debt....... 44,659 N/A 51,834 79,416 190,754 171,004 24,948
</TABLE>
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(1) Included in the year ended December 31, 1997 are equity in losses and
writedown of investment in RDM Sports Group, Inc. of $45.1 million.
(2) For the year ended December 31, 1998, in connection with Metromedia
International Group's communications group's paging operations, Metromedia
International Group adjusted the carrying value of goodwill and other
intangibles, fixed assets, investments in and advances to its joint ventures
and wrote down inventory. The total non-cash nonrecurring charge and write
down was $49.9 million.
(3) Total assets include the net assets of the entertainment assets and the
Landmark Theatre Group, Inc. The net assets (liabilities) of the
entertainment assets at December 31, 1996 and 1995 and February 28, 1995
were $11.0 million, $12.1 million and ($8.5) million, respectively. At
December 31, 1997 and 1996, the net assets of the Landmark Theatre Group,
Inc., which was acquired on July 2, 1996, were $46.8 million and $46.5
million, respectively.
(4) For purposes of this computation, earnings are defined as pre-tax earnings
or loss from continuing operations of Metromedia International Group before
adjustment for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries or income or
loss from equity investees attributable to common stockholders plus fixed
charges and distributed income of equity investees.
Fixed charges are the sum of:
- interest expensed and capitalized,
- amortization of deferred financing costs, premium and debt discounts,
- the portion of operating lease rental expense that is representative of
the interest factor (deemed to be one-third) and
- dividends on preferred stock.
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges of Metromedia International Group was
less than 1.00 for each of the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 and for
the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and for the year ended
February 28, 1995; thus earnings available for fixed charges were inadequate to
cover fixed charges for these periods. The deficiency in earnings to fixed
charges
8
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for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 and for the years ended December
31, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and for the year ended February 28, 1995 were:
$28.7 million, $48.2 million, $141.1 million, $95.3 million, $64.3 million,
$30.1 million and $17.4 million, respectively.
UNAUDITED SELECTED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The following unaudited selected pro forma combined condensed financial data
are derived from the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information included
elsewhere in this prospectus and should be read together with that data and with
the notes to that data. These unaudited selected pro forma combined financial
data:
- are based upon the historical financial statements of Metromedia
International Group and PLD Telekom, as of and for the six months ended
June 30, 1999 and for the year ended December 31, 1998;
- are adjusted to give effect to the merger;
- are adjusted for the restructuring of all of PLD Telekom's outstanding
senior and subordinated notes, the loans owed to the Travelers Insurance
Company and News America Incorporated and PLD Telekom's obligation to
purchase the minority interests in the PLD Telekom subsidiary Technocom
Limited.
With respect to the balance sheet data, the transactions referred to above
are assumed to have been completed as of June 30, 1999. With respect to the
statement of operations data the transactions referred to above are assumed to
have been completed as of the beginning of the periods presented.
These unaudited selected pro forma combined condensed financial data are for
illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily indicate the operating results
or financial position that would have been achieved had the merger and the
restructuring described above been completed as of the dates indicated or of the
results that may be obtained in the future. In addition, the data does not
reflect synergies that might be achieved from combining these operations.
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SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
1999 1998
----------------- ------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
DATA)
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Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues........................................................................ $ 189,975 $ 385,652
Equity in losses of unconsolidated investees.................................... (6,363) (19,109)
Loss from continuing operations................................................. (47,664) (187,941)
Income (loss) per common share--Basic:
Continuing operations......................................................... $ (0.61) $ (2.25)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1).......................................... -- --
Weighted average common shares outstanding...................................... 90,387 90,205
Dividends per common share...................................................... -- --
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
Total assets.................................................................... $ 968,636 N/A
Debt............................................................................ 228,246 N/A
</TABLE>
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(1) For purposes of this computation, earnings are defined as pro forma pre-tax
earnings or loss from combined continuing operations before adjustment for
minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries or income loss from equity
investees attributable to common stockholders plus (i) fixed charges and
(ii) distributed income of equity investees. Fixed charges are the sum of
(i) interest expensed and capitalized, (ii) amortization of deferred
financing costs, premium and debt discounts, (iii) the portion of operating
lease rental expense that is representative of the interest
9
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factor (deemed to be one-third) and (iv) dividends on preferred stock. The
pro forma combined ratio of earnings to fixed charges was [less than 1.00]
for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and for the year ended December 31,
1998; thus earnings available for fixed charges were inadequate to cover
fixed charges for such periods. The pro forma combined deficiency in
earnings to fixed charges for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and for the
year ended December 31, 1998, were $46.2 million and $170.8 million,
respectively.
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RISK FACTORS
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION BELOW AS WELL AS ALL OTHER
INFORMATION PROVIDED TO YOU IN THIS PROSPECTUS BEFORE TENDERING YOUR OLD NOTES
IN THIS EXCHANGE OFFER, INCLUDING INFORMATION IN THE SECTION OF THIS PROSPECTUS
ENTITLED "--OUR FUTURE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MAY BE SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM
OUR STATEMENTS ABOUT OUR FUTURE PROSPECTS AND YOU SHOULD NOT UNDULY RELY ON
THESE STATEMENTS."
WE EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO INCUR LOSSES FROM OUR CONTINUING OPERATIONS, WHICH
COULD PREVENT US FROM PURSUING OUR GROWTH STRATEGIES AND COULD CAUSE US TO
DEFAULT UNDER OUR DEBT OBLIGATIONS.
We cannot assure you that we will succeed in establishing an adequate
revenue base or that our services will be profitable or generate positive cash
flow. We have reported substantial losses from operations over the previous
three years. For the six months ended June 30, 1999 and for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, we reported a loss from continuing operations
of approximately $22.9 million, $136.0 million, $130.9 million and $72.1
million, respectively, and a net loss of $22.9 million, $123.7 million, net
income of $88.4 million, and a net loss of $115.2 million, respectively. We
expect that we will report significant operating losses, including losses
attributable to Snapper, Inc., for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999. In
addition, many of our joint ventures in our communications group are still in
the early stages of their development and we expect this group to continue to
generate significant losses as it continues to build-out and market its
services. Accordingly, we expect to generate consolidated losses for the
foreseeable future.
Continued losses and negative cash flow may prevent us from pursuing our
strategies for growth and could cause us to be unable to meet our debt service
obligations, including our obligations under the notes, capital expenditures or
working capital needs.
CHINESE GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES ARE CAUSING THE TERMINATION OF CERTAIN OF OUR
JOINT VENTURES, WHICH COULD HAVE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON OUR FINANCIAL POSITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Because legal restrictions in China prohibit foreign participation in the
operation or ownership in the telecommunications sector, our telecommunications
joint ventures in China have been established so as to provide financing,
technical advice, consulting and other services for the construction and
development of telephony networks for China United Telecommunications
Incorporated, known as China Unicom, a Chinese telecommunications operator.
We have recently been notified by China Unicom that a department of the
Chinese government has requested termination of two of our telecommunications
joint ventures with China Unicom. Negotiations have commenced with
representatives of China Unicom on the amount of compensation and terms of the
resolution of all issues between the parties. The content of the negotiations
includes determining the investment principal of these joint ventures,
appropriate compensation and other matters related to termination of contracts.
We were further notified that due to technical reasons which were not specified,
the cash distribution plan for the first half of 1999 had not been decided and
that China Unicom also expected to discuss this subject with the joint ventures.
As a result, we cannot assure you that we will receive compensation from the
Chinese government for the termination of our joint ventures or that the
compensation that we will receive, if any, will be adequate.
While the notification only involved two of our telecommunications joint
ventures, we expect that the other two telecommunications projects in which we
have invested will receive similar notifications. In addition, China Unicom has
suspended cooperation on further development of networks with these joint
ventures, which we believe reflects China Unicom's intention to negotiate the
termination of its relationship with these joint ventures as well.
In light of the current uncertainty, we are unable to estimate the impact on
our financial condition and results of operations of such negotiations and
expected winding up of our other two Chinese
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telecommunications joint ventures. We believe that negotiations, if adversely
concluded, could have a materially negative effect on our financial position and
operating results. Depending on the amount of compensation we receive, we will
record a non cash charge equal to the difference between the sum of the carrying
values of our investment and advances made to joint ventures plus goodwill less
the cash compensation we receive from the joint ventures which China Unicom has
paid. Our investment in and advances to joint ventures and goodwill balance at
June 30, 1999 were approximately $71 million and $67 million respectively. See
"Metromedia International Group."
WE WILL BE UNABLE TO MEET OUR OBLIGATIONS IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE DISTRIBUTIONS
FROM OUR SUBSIDIARIES AND OUR SUBSIDIARIES HAVE NO OBLIGATIONS TO MAKE ANY
PAYMENTS TO US.
We are a holding company with no direct operations and no assets of
significance other than the stock of our subsidiaries. As such, we are dependent
on the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment of
these earnings to us to meet our obligations, including the payment of principal
and interest on the notes. Our subsidiaries are separate legal entities that
will have no obligation to pay any amounts due under the notes or to make any
funds available for payments due under the notes, whether by dividends, loans or
other payments. Our subsidiaries will not guarantee the payment of the notes
either. Snapper, Inc.'s credit facility contains substantial restrictions on
dividends and other payments by Snapper to us. In addition, many of our joint
ventures are in their early stages of development and are operating businesses
that are capital intensive. As a result, we will only be able to rely on cash on
hand, proceeds from the disposition of non-core assets and net proceeds from
additional financings through a public or private sale of debt or equity
securities to meet our cash requirements, including the payment of principal and
interest on the notes. Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled
"Description of the Notes."
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE NOTES IS EFFECTIVELY JUNIOR IN RIGHT OF
PAYMENT TO THE CLAIMS OF OUR SECURED CREDITORS AND OUR SUBSIDIARIES' CREDITORS
WHO WOULD BE ENTITLED TO REALIZE THEIR CLAIMS ON OUR ASSETS BEFORE YOU.
There might only be a limited amount of assets available to satisfy your
claims as a holder of the notes upon an acceleration of their maturity. The
notes are unsecured and therefore will be effectively junior in right of payment
to all our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value
of the assets securing this indebtedness. In addition, the notes will also be
effectively junior in right of payment to all of our subsidiaries' existing or
future indebtedness, whether or not secured. We expect that our current and
future subsidiaries will incur significant amounts of debt in connection with
the development of their operations. The indenture for the notes will permit us
and our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness to finance the purchase
price, development, acquisition, construction or improvement of real or personal
property in connection with our telecommunications business. Please refer to the
section of this prospectus entitled "Description of the Notes."
Consequently, in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution,
reorganization or similar proceeding of Metromedia International Group, the
assets of Metromedia International Group will be available to satisfy
obligations of this secured debt before any payment may be made on the notes. In
addition, to the extent these assets cannot satisfy in full the secured
indebtedness, the holders of this indebtedness would have a claim for any
shortfall that would rank equally in right of payment with the notes. If the
indebtedness were issued by a subsidiary, the holders' claim for any shortfall
would effectively rank senior to the notes.
WE HAVE SUBSTANTIAL DEBT WHICH MAY LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO BORROW, RESTRICT THE USE
OF OUR CASH FLOWS AND CONSTRAIN OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO
MEET OUR DEBT OBLIGATIONS.
We have substantial debt and debt service requirements as a result of
issuing the notes.
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Our substantial debt has important consequences, including:
- our ability to borrow additional amounts for working capital, capital
expenditures or other purposes is limited,
- a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations is required to make
debt service payments, and
- our leverage could limit our ability to capitalize on significant business
opportunities and our flexibility to react to changes in general economic
conditions, competitive pressures and adverse changes in government
regulation.
We cannot assure you that our cash flow and capital resources will be
sufficient to repay the notes and any indebtedness we may incur in the future,
or that we will be successful in obtaining alternative financing. If we are
unable to repay our debts, we may be forced to reduce or delay the completion or
expansion of our networks, sell some of our assets, obtain additional equity
capital or refinance or restructure our debt. Please refer to the section in
this prospectus entitled "--Restrictions imposed by our debt agreement may
significantly limit our business strategy and increase the risk of default under
our debt obligations." If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations or
comply with our covenants, we will default under our existing debt agreements.
To avoid a default, we may need waivers from third parties, which might not be
granted. You should also read the information we have included in this
prospectus in the section entitled "Description of the Notes."
RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY OUR DEBT AGREEMENT MAY SIGNIFICANTLY LIMIT OUR BUSINESS
STRATEGY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF DEFAULT UNDER OUR DEBT OBLIGATIONS.
The indenture for the notes contains a number of significant covenants.
These covenants limit our ability to, among other things:
- borrow additional money,
- make capital expenditures and other investments,
- pay dividends,
- merge, consolidate, or dispose of our assets, and
- enter into transactions with related entities.
If we fail to comply with these covenants we will default under the
indenture. A default, if not waived, could result in acceleration of our
indebtedness, in which case the debt would become immediately due and payable.
If this occurs, we may not be able to repay our debt or borrow sufficient funds
to refinance it. Even if new financing is available, it may not be on terms that
are acceptable to us. Complying with these covenants may cause us to take
actions that we otherwise would not take, or not take actions that we otherwise
would take. Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled "Description
of the Notes."
WE MAY NEED BUT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RAISE THE SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL FINANCING
THAT WILL BE REQUIRED TO SATISFY OUR LONG-TERM BUSINESS OBJECTIVES, WHICH WOULD
FORCE US TO SIGNIFICANTLY CURTAIL OUR BUSINESS OBJECTIVES AND MAY MATERIALLY AND
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS.
Many of our joint ventures operate businesses that are capital intensive and
require the investment of significant amounts of capital in order to construct
and develop operational systems and market their services. As a result, we will
require substantial additional financing to satisfy our long-term business
objectives, including our on-going working capital, acquisition and expansion
requirements. We may seek to raise this additional capital through the public or
private sale of debt or equity securities. We cannot assure you that additional
financing will be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all. If
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we incur additional debt, we may become subject to additional or more
restrictive financial covenants and ratios. If adequate additional funds are not
available, we may be required to curtail significantly our long-term business
objectives and our results from operations may be materially and adversely
affected. Please refer to the sections in this prospectus entitled "--We have
substantial debt which may limit our ability to borrow, restrict the use of our
cash flows and constrain our business strategy and we may not be able to meet
our debt obligations" and "--Restrictions imposed by our debt agreement may
significantly limit our business strategy and increase the risk of default under
our debt obligations."
WE MAY BE MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY COMPETITION FROM LARGER GLOBAL
COMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES OR THE EMERGENCE OF COMPETING TECHNOLOGIES IN OUR
CURRENT OR FUTURE MARKETS.
We operate in businesses which are highly competitive and we compete with
many other well-known communications and media companies, many of which have
established operating infrastructures and have substantially greater financial,
management and other resources than us.
We also face potential competition from competing technologies which could
emerge over time in Eastern Europe, the republics of the former Soviet Union and
other selected emerging markets and compete directly with our operations. For
example, we believe that we will not be able to effectively compete for our
traditional paging customers in markets where GSM technology is combined with
calling party pays and prepaid calling card service. Similarly, we cannot assure
you that PLD Telekom's nationwide cellular network in Kazakhstan will be able to
compete with the development of the newly-introduced GSM technology in this
market.
In addition, each of the principal partners in PLD Telekom's operating
businesses have interests that may conflict with those of PLD and in certain
instances could compete directly with PLD Telekom and its networks. This
competition could seriously undermine the local support for PLD Telekom's
networks, affect PLD Telekom's results of operations in these countries and
jeopardize our ability to fully realize the value of our economic investments in
these countries. See "--We do not fully control certain of our joint ventures'
operations, strategies and financial decisions and cannot assure you that we
will be able to maximize our return on our investments" and "--Our dependence on
certain local operators, interconnect parties or local customers may materially
and adversely affect our operations." For example, PLD Telekom's partner in PLD
Telekom's operating business in St. Petersburg has recently completed the
installation of a fiber optic network in St. Petersburg which could provide
serious competition to PLD Telekom's network in this area. The cellular network
of PLD Telekom's operating business in Kazakhstan directly competes with the
public switched telephone network of Kazakhtelekom, PLD Telekom's partner in
this operating business, and a recently established GSM mobile phone service
joint venture in which Kazakhtelekom has an interest. PLD Telekom's long
distance network in Moscow is in direct competition with the long distance
national network operated by Rostelecom, PLD Telekom's partner in its Moscow
operating business.
In addition, we do not expect to maintain or to be granted exclusive
licenses to operate our communications businesses in any of the markets where we
currently provide or plan to provide our services.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ATTRACT CONSUMERS TO OUR SERVICES, WHICH WOULD NEGATIVELY
IMPACT OUR OPERATING RESULTS.
Our operating results are dependent upon our ability to attract and maintain
subscribers to our cable, paging and telephony systems and the sale of
commercial advertising time on our radio stations. These in turn depend on the
following factors, several of which are beyond our control:
- the general economic conditions in the markets where our cable, telephone
systems, paging and radio stations are located,
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- the relative popularity of our systems, including our radio stations,
- the demographic characteristics of the potential subscribers to our
systems and audience of our radio stations,
- the technical attractiveness to customers of the equipment and service of
our systems, and
- the activities of our competitors.
WE CANNOT ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE CONSTRUCTION OF OUR
SYSTEMS, WHICH WOULD JEOPARDIZE LICENSES FOR OUR SYSTEMS OR PROVIDE
OPPORTUNITIES TO OUR COMPETITORS.
Most of our joint ventures require substantial construction of new systems
and additions to the physical plants of existing systems. We cannot assure you
that we will complete construction on time or within our budget. Construction
projects may be adversely affected by cost overruns and delays not within our
control or the control of our subcontractors, such as those caused by
governmental changes and material or equipment shortages or delays in delivery
of material or equipment. Our failure to complete construction of a
communications system on a timely basis could jeopardize the franchise or
license for our system or provide opportunities to our competitors. Cost
overruns may obligate us to incur additional debt. Please refer to the section
in this prospectus entitled "--We may need but may not be able to raise the
substantial additional financing that will be required to construct and develop
operational systems and market our services, which would adversely affect our
long-term business strategy."
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT AND MANAGE THE GROWTH OF OUR
VENTURES, WHICH WOULD AFFECT OUR GROWTH STRATEGY.
Many of our ventures are either in developmental stages or have only
recently commenced operations and we have incurred significant operating losses
to date. We are currently pursuing additional investments in a variety of
communications businesses both in our existing markets and in additional
markets. In implementing and managing our strategy of growing our businesses, we
must:
- assess the strengths and weaknesses of development opportunities,
- evaluate the costs and uncertain returns of developing and constructing
the facilities for operating systems, and
- integrate and manage the operations of our existing and additional
systems.
We cannot assure you that we will successfully implement our growth
strategy.
THE GOVERNMENT LICENSES ON WHICH WE DEPEND TO OPERATE MANY OF OUR BUSINESSES
COULD BE CANCELED OR NOT RENEWED, WHICH WOULD IMPAIR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR
SERVICES.
Our joint ventures' operations are subject to governmental regulation and
approvals in the markets in which we operate. We cannot assure you that we will
retain or obtain the necessary approvals to operate existing or future
businesses in any of the markets in which we operate or are seeking to establish
our business. Our joint ventures operate under licenses that are issued for
limited periods. Some of these licenses expire over the next several years, and
some are renewable annually. Our failure to renew these licenses may have a
material adverse effect on our operations. Seven licenses held or used by our
joint ventures will expire during 1999. For most of the licenses held or used by
our joint ventures, no statutory or regulatory presumption exists for renewal by
the current license holder and we cannot assure you that these licenses will be
renewed upon the expiration of their current terms.
Additionally, some of the licenses pursuant to which our businesses operate
contain network build-out milestones. Our failure to renew any of these licenses
or meet these milestones could result
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in the loss of these licenses, which may have a material adverse effect on our
operations. In addition, we cannot assure you that our joint ventures will
obtain the necessary approvals to operate additional cable television, fixed
telephony or paging systems or radio broadcast stations in any of the markets in
which we are seeking to establish our business. PLD Telekom has exceeded the
number of lines which the main license of its operating business in St.
Petersburg allows it to operate in St. Petersburg and the surrounding region and
we cannot assure you that the Russian licensing authorities will not terminate
or renegotiate this license or otherwise force PLD Telekom to reduce the number
of its subscribers or impose other penalties on PLD Telekom.
WE MAY BE LIABLE FOR SUBSTANTIAL PENALTIES IF WE DO NOT FOLLOW BURDENSOME
CURRENCY LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.
Our joint ventures often require specific licenses from the central banks of
many of the countries in which they operate for certain types of foreign
currency loans, leases and investments. Our joint ventures' failure to obtain
currency licenses could result in the imposition of fines and penalties,
significant delays in delivering equipment to our operating businesses and
resulting difficulties in generating cash flows from our operating businesses.
The documentary requirements for obtaining the currency licenses are burdensome
and we cannot assure you that the licensing entity will not impose additional,
substantive requirements for the grant of a license or deny a request for a
license on an arbitrary basis. Furthermore, the time typically taken by the
relevant central banks to issue these licenses can be lengthy, in some cases up
to one year or more.
WE DO NOT FULLY CONTROL CERTAIN OF OUR JOINT VENTURES' OPERATIONS, STRATEGIES
AND FINANCIAL DECISIONS AND CANNOT ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAXIMIZE
OUR RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENTS.
We have invested in virtually all of our joint ventures with local partners.
In certain cases, the degree of our voting power and the voting power and veto
rights of our joint venture partners may limit us from effectively controlling
the operations, strategies and financial decisions of the joint ventures in
which we have an ownership interest. In addition, in certain cases, we may be
dependent on the continuing cooperation of our partners in the joint ventures
and any significant disagreements among the participants could have a material
adverse effect on our ventures. In addition, in some markets where we conduct or
may in the future conduct business, certain decisions of a joint venture also
require governmental approval. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be
able to maximize our return on all of our investments.
In addition, in many instances, our partners include governmental entities
or affiliates of a governmental entity. This poses a number of risks, including:
- the possibility of decreased governmental support or enthusiasm for the
venture as a result of a change of government or government officials,
- a change of policy by the government, and
- the ability of the governmental entities to exert undue control or
influence over the project in the event of a dispute or otherwise.
In addition, to the extent our joint ventures become profitable and generate
sufficient cash flows in the future, we cannot assure you that the joint
ventures will pay dividends or return capital at any time.
Moreover, our equity interests in these investments generally are not freely
transferable. Therefore, we cannot assure you of our ability to realize economic
benefits through the sale of our interests in our joint ventures.
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OUR DEPENDENCE ON LOCAL OPERATORS, INTERCONNECT PARTIES OR LOCAL CUSTOMERS MAY
MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS.
We are dependent on local operators or interconnect parties for a
significant portion of our operations. For example, we have recently been
notified by the Chinese telecommunications operator with which we operate our
Chinese telecommunications joint ventures that a department of the Chinese
government had requested termination of two of our telecommunications joint
ventures. See "Metromedia International Group." Also, PLD Telekom's operating
business in St. Petersburg is dependent on Russian operators for the completion
of most of its calls. We cannot assure you that this operating business will
continue to have access to these operators' networks or that we will be able to
have access to these networks with favorable tariffs. The loss of access to
these networks or increases in tariffs could have a material adverse effect upon
PLD Telekom. PLD Telekom's operating business in Kazakhstan is also entitled to
interconnection free of charge to networks operated by Kazakhtelekom, the
Kazakhstan public switched telephone network operator, for the completion of its
local, long distance and international calls. The loss of, or any significant
limitation on, its access to this network could have a material adverse effect
on PLD Telekom. Further, Kazakhtelekom may try to use its authority to endeavor
to assess interconnection charges on PLD Telekom's operating business in
Kazakhstan, which may materially impact this operating business' profitability.
We are also dependent on local operators or interconnect parties' facilities
for certain of our operations. For example, PLD Telekom's operating business in
St. Petersburg is dependent on Russian operators' buildings, ducts and tunnels
in order to house its exchanges and to reach its customers. The loss of access
to these facilities or the availability of access only on unfavorable terms
could have a material adverse effect upon PLD Telekom. Similarly, PLD Telekom's
operating business in Moscow is also dependent upon the facilities of local
operators for the operation of its existing network in Moscow and to terminate
certain traffic to users. The loss of the right to use these facilities could
have a material adverse effect on PLD Telekom.
Certain customers account for a significant portion of the total revenues of
certain of PLD Telekom's operations and the loss of these customers would
materially and adversely affect PLD Telekom's results of operations.
In addition, several of PLD Telekom's customers, interconnect parties or
local operators experience liquidity problems from time to time. PLD Telekom's
dependence on these parties may make it vulnerable to their liquidity problems,
both in terms of pressure for financial support for the expansion of their
operations and facilities, and in PLD Telekom's ability to achieve prompt
settlement of accounts.
WE CANNOT ASSURE YOU THAT OUR EQUIPMENT WILL BE APPROVED BY THE AUTHORITIES
REGULATING THE MARKETS IN WHICH WE OPERATE, WHICH COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE
EFFECT ON OUR OPERATIONS IN THESE MARKETS.
Many of our operations or proposed operations are dependent upon approval of
our equipment by the communications authorities of the markets in which we and
our joint ventures operate or plan to operate. We cannot assure you that our
equipment in any of these markets will be approved. The failure to obtain
approval for our equipment could have a materially adverse effect on many of our
proposed operations.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH THE EMERGENCE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND
CHANGES IN MARKET CONDITIONS WHICH WOULD MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The communications industry has been characterized in recent years by rapid
and significant technological changes and changes in market conditions.
Competitors could introduce new or enhanced technologies with features which
would render our technology obsolete or significantly less marketable. Our
ability to compete successfully will depend to a large extent on our ability to
respond quickly and
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adapt to technological changes and advances in our industry. We cannot assure
you that we will be able to keep pace, or will have the financial resources to
keep pace, with the technological demands of the marketplace. Please refer to
the section in this prospectus entitled "--We may be materially and adversely
affected by competition from larger global communications companies or the
emergence of competing technologies in our current or future markets."
CERTAIN FAILURES TO ADDRESS THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM MAY CAUSE DISRUPTIONS IN THE
OPERATION OF OUR NETWORKS AND OUR SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS.
Many computer and communications network systems, terminal devices, software
products and manufacturing devices will not function properly in the year 2000
and beyond due to a once-common programming standard that represents years using
two digits. This problem is often referred to as the year 2000 problem. It is
possible that our and our joint venture partners' currently installed computer
and communications network systems, terminal devices, software products and
manufacturing devices or other information technology systems, including
embedded technology, or those of our and our joint venture partners' suppliers,
contractors, interconnect parties or major systems developers working either
alone or in conjunction with other softwares or systems, will not properly
function in the year 2000 because of the year 2000 problem. We are not directly
responsible for the year 2000 readiness of many of our joint ventures and in
some cases have no access to the joint ventures' management regarding these
matters. Russia and the other republics of the former Soviet Union appear to be
substantially behind Western countries in their year 2000 compliance and
readiness. We have been unable to determine with any degree of certainty the
extent to which our interconnect partners in the former Soviet Union are
non-compliant because those parties have generally been reluctant to share this
information. If we or our joint venture partners, or our customers, suppliers,
contractors, interconnect parties and major systems developers are unable to
address their year 2000 issues in a timely manner, a material adverse effect on
our results of operations and financial condition could result. We and our joint
venture partners are currently working to evaluate and resolve the potential
impact of the year 2000 on our processing of date-sensitive information and
network systems. We cannot assure you that the year 2000 problem will only have
a minimal cost impact or that our joint venture partners and other companies
will convert their systems on a timely basis and that their failure to do so
will not have an adverse effect on our systems.
METROMEDIA COMPANY EFFECTIVELY CONTROLS METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP AND HAS
THE POWER TO INFLUENCE THE DIRECTION OF OUR OPERATIONS AND PREVENT A CHANGE OF
CONTROL.
Metromedia Company and its affiliates collectively own approximately 26% of
the outstanding shares of common stock of Metromedia International Group and are
our largest stockholders. They have nominated or designated a majority of the
members of the board of directors. Metromedia International Group's charter and
Delaware law provide that the majority of the members of the board of directors
will nominate the directors for election to the board of directors. However, for
the foreseeable future it is likely that directors designated or nominated by
Metromedia Company will continue to constitute a majority of the members of the
board of directors. As a result, Metromedia Company will likely control the
direction of future operations of Metromedia International Group, including
decisions regarding acquisitions and other business opportunities, the
declaration of dividends and the issuance of additional shares of capital stock
and other securities. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of Metromedia
International Group. Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws also contain
provisions which may also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
change of control of Metromedia International Group.
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WE COULD INCUR ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES AS A RESULT OF OUR CURRENT OPERATIONS
AND PAST DIVESTITURES, THE COST OF WHICH COULD MATERIALLY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS.
We have been in operation since 1929 through our predecessors and, over the
years, have operated in diverse industries, including equipment, sporting goods
and furniture manufacturing, sheet metal processing and trucking. We have
divested almost all of our non-communications and non-media-related operations.
However, in the course of these divestitures, we have retained certain
indemnification obligations for environmental cleanup matters and, in one case,
a contaminated parcel at which we have undertaken cleanup activities. In other
cases, particularly for operations that we divested in the past, we could incur
unanticipated environmental cleanup obligations, to the extent they may exist or
arise in the future, as a result of changes in legal requirements that have
occurred since these divestitures or otherwise. Because some divestitures may
have occurred many years ago, we cannot assure you that environmental matters
will not arise in the future that could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations or financial condition.
WE OPERATE IN COUNTRIES WITH SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
UNCERTAINTIES, WHICH COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR OPERATIONS IN
THESE AREAS.
We operate in countries in Eastern Europe, the republics of the former
Soviet Union, China and other selected emerging markets. These countries face
significant political, social and economic uncertainties which could have a
material adverse effect on our operations in these areas. These uncertainties
include:
- possible internal military conflicts,
- civil unrest fueled by economic and social crises in those countries,
- political tensions between national and local governments which often
result in the enactment of conflicting legislation at various levels and
may result in political instability,
- bureaucratic infighting between government agencies with unclear and
overlapping jurisdictions,
- high unemployment, high inflation, high foreign debt, weak currencies and
the possibility of widespread bankruptcies,
- unstable governments,
- pervasive regulatory control of the state over the telecommunications
industry (see "--Laws restricting foreign investments in the
telecommunications industry could adversely affect our operations in these
countries" and "--Chinese governmental authorities are causing the
termination of certain of our joint ventures, which could have negative
effects on our financial position and results of operations."),
- uncertainties over whether many of the countries in which we operate will
continue to receive the substantial financial assistance they have
received from several foreign governments and international organizations
which helps to support their economic development,
- the failure by government entities to meet their outstanding foreign debt
repayment obligations, and
- the risk of increased support for a renewal of centralized authority and
increased nationalism resulting in possible restrictions on foreign
ownership and/or discrimination against foreign owned businesses.
We cannot assure you that the pursuit of economic reforms by the governments
of any of these countries will continue or prove to be ultimately effective,
especially in the event of a change in
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leadership, social or political disruption or other circumstances affecting
economic, political or social conditions. See "Metromedia International Group."
WE FACE ENHANCED ECONOMIC, LEGAL AND PHYSICAL RISKS BY OPERATING ABROAD.
We have invested substantially all of our resources in operations outside of
the United States and plan to make additional international investments in the
near future. We run a number of risks by investing in foreign countries
including:
- loss of revenue, property and equipment from expropriation,
nationalization, war, insurrection, terrorism and other political risks
(see "--Laws restricting foreign investments in the telecommunications
industry could adversely affect our operations in these countries" and
"Chinese governmental authorities are causing the termination of certain
of our joint ventures, which could have negative effects on our financial
position and results of operations."),
- increases in taxes and governmental royalties and involuntary changes to
the licenses issued by, or contracts with, foreign governments or their
affiliated commercial enterprises,
- official data published by the governments of many of the countries in
which we operate is substantially less reliable than that published by
Western countries,
- changes in foreign and domestic laws and policies that govern operations
of overseas-based companies,
- amendments to, or different interpretations or implementations of, foreign
tax laws and regulations that could adversely affect the profitability
after tax of our joint ventures and subsidiaries,
- criminal organizations in certain of the countries in which we operate
that could threaten and intimidate our businesses. We cannot assure you
that pressures from criminal organizations will not increase in the future
and have a material adverse effect on our operations, and
- high levels of corruption and non-compliance with the law exists in many
of the countries in which we operate businesses. This problem
significantly hurts economic growth in these countries and our ability to
compete on an even basis with other parties.
See "Metromedia International Group."
LAWS RESTRICTING FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS IN THESE COUNTRIES.
We may also be materially and adversely affected by laws restricting foreign
investment in the field of communications. Some countries in which we operate,
including the Russian Federation and China, have extensive restrictions on
foreign investments in the communications field. There is no way of predicting
whether additional ownership limitations will be enacted in any of these
markets, or whether any of these laws, if enacted, would force us to reduce or
restructure our ownership interest in any of our ventures. If additional
ownership limitations are enacted in any of these markets and we are required to
reduce or restructure our ownership interests in any ventures, it is unclear how
this reduction or restructuring would be implemented, or what impact this
reduction or restructuring would have on us or on our financial condition or
results of operations.
20
<PAGE>
Current Chinese laws and regulations prohibit foreign companies and joint
ventures in which they participate from providing telephony services to
customers in China and generally limit the role that foreign companies or their
joint ventures may play in the telecommunications industry. Since mid-1998,
there has been uncertainty regarding possible significant changes in the
regulation of, and policy concerning, foreign participation in and financing of
the telecommunications industry in China and the continued viability of the
structure that we currently use for our investments in the Chinese
telecommunications industry. If the Chinese laws or regulations change and
restrict further the participation of foreign companies in the Chinese
telecommunications market or the Chinese authorities challenge the validity of
our operations in China:
- our licenses to operate in China could be invalidated,
- the legal validity of our contracts could be challenged which would
deprive us of avenues of legal recourse,
- we could be exposed to fines or criminal sanctions, or
- we could not obtain financing within China or abroad.
See "--Chinese governmental authorities are causing the termination of
certain of our joint ventures, which could have negative effects on our
financial position and results of operations."
The Russian Federation has periodically proposed legislation that would
limit the ownership percentage that foreign companies can have in radio and
television businesses and/or limit the number of radio and television businesses
that any company could own in a single market. While this proposed legislation
has not been enacted, it is possible that this legislation could be enacted in
Russia and that other countries in Eastern Europe and the republics of the
former Soviet Union may enact similar legislation which could have a material
adverse effect on our business operations, financial condition of prospects.
CURRENCY CONTROL RESTRICTIONS IN OUR MARKETS MAY HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON OUR
BUSINESS.
The existence of currency control restrictions in certain of our markets may
make it difficult for us to convert or repatriate our foreign earnings and
adversely affect our ability to pay overhead expenses, meet our debt obligations
and continue to expand our communications business. Our joint ventures often
require specific licenses from the central banks of many of the countries in
which they operate for certain types of foreign currency loans, leases and
investments. The joint ventures' failure to obtain these currency licenses could
result in the imposition of fines and penalties, significant delays in
purchasing equipment and resulting difficulties in generating cash flows. The
documentary requirements for obtaining the currency licenses are burdensome and
we cannot assure you that the licensing entity will not impose additional,
substantive requirements for the grant of a license or deny a request for a
license on an arbitrary basis. Furthermore, the time typically taken by the
relevant central banks to issue these licenses can be lengthy, in some cases up
to one year or more.
RECENT ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND OTHER EMERGING
MARKETS COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR OPERATIONS IN THESE
COUNTRIES.
In 1998, a number of emerging market economies suffered significant economic
and financial difficulties resulting in liquidity crises, devaluation of
currencies, higher interest rates and reduced opportunities for financing. At
this time, the prospects for recovery for the economies of the Russian
Federation and other republics of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe
negatively affected by the economic crisis remain unclear. The economic crises
has resulted in a number of defaults by borrowers in the Russian Federation and
other countries and a reduced level of financing available to investors in these
countries. The devaluation of many of the currencies in the region has also
negatively affected the U.S. dollar value of the revenues generated by some of
our joint ventures and may lead to
21
<PAGE>
certain additional restrictions on the convertibility of some local currencies.
We expect that these problems will negatively affect the financial performance
of some of our cable television, telephony, radio broadcasting and paging
ventures.
HIGH INFLATION IN OUR MARKETS MAY HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS.
Some of our subsidiaries and joint ventures operate in countries where the
inflation rate is extremely high. Since the break-up of the Soviet Union, the
economies of many of the former republics have been characterized by high rates
of inflation. Inflation in Russia increased dramatically following the August
1998 financial crisis and there are increased risks of inflation in Kazakhstan.
The inflation rates in Belarus have been at hyperinflationary levels for some
years and as a result, the currency has essentially lost all intrinsic value.
Our operating results will be hurt if we are unable to increase our prices
enough to offset any increase in the rate of inflation, or if anti-inflationary
legislation holding down prices is enacted.
FLUCTUATIONS IN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES IN THE COUNTRIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE
COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS IN THESE COUNTRIES.
The value of the currencies in the countries in which we operate tends to
fluctuate, sometimes significantly. For example, during 1998 and in the early
part of 1999, the value of the Russian Rouble has been under considerable
economic and political pressure and has suffered significant declines against
the U.S. dollar and other currencies. We currently do not hedge against exchange
rate risk and therefore could be negatively impacted by declines in exchange
rates between the time one of our joint ventures receives its funds in local
currency and the time it distributes these funds in U.S. dollars to us.
THE TAX RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE MARKETS IN WHICH WE OPERATE CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL
AND CAN MAKE EFFECTIVE TAX PLANNING DIFFICULT, WHICH WOULD MATERIALLY AFFECT OUR
FINANCIAL CONDITION.
Taxes payable by our joint ventures are substantial and we may be unable to
obtain the benefits of tax treaties due to:
- the documentary and other requirements imposed by the government
authorities,
- the unfamiliarity of those administering the tax system with the
international tax treaty system of their country, or their unwillingness
to recognize the treaty system, and
- the absence of applicable tax treaties in many of the countries in which
we operate.
Our tax planning initiatives to reduce our overall tax obligations may be
negated or impaired by the need to deal with these issues. Furthermore, the
taxation systems in the countries in which we operate are at an early stage of
development and are subject to varying interpretations, frequent changes and
inconsistent and arbitrary enforcement at the federal, regional and local
levels. In certain instances, new taxes and tax regulations have been given
retroactive effect, which makes effective tax planning difficult.
THE COMMERCIAL AND CORPORATE LEGAL STRUCTURES ARE STILL DEVELOPING IN SOME OF
OUR TARGET MARKETS WHICH CREATES UNCERTAINTIES AS TO THE PROTECTION OF OUR
RIGHTS AND OPERATIONS IN THESE MARKETS.
Commercial and corporate laws in the countries in which we operate are
significantly less developed or clear than comparable laws in the United States
and countries of Western Europe and are subject to frequent changes, preemption
and reinterpretation by local or administrative regulations, by administrative
officials and, in the case of Eastern Europe and the republics of the former
Soviet Union, by new governments. There are also often inconsistencies among
laws, presidential decrees and governmental and ministerial orders and
resolutions, and conflicts between local, regional and national laws and
regulations. In some cases, laws are imposed with retroactive force and punitive
penalties. In
22
<PAGE>
other cases, laws go unenforced. The result has been considerable legal
confusion which creates significant obstacles to creating and operating our
joint ventures. We cannot assure you that the uncertainties associated with the
existing and future laws and regulations in our markets will not have a material
adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business and to generate profits.
See "Metromedia International Group."
There is also significant uncertainty as to the extent to which local
parties and entities, particularly government authorities, in these markets will
respect contractual and other rights and also the extent to which the "rule of
law" has taken hold and will be upheld in each of these countries. The courts in
many of these markets often do not have the experience, resources or authority
to resolve significant economic disputes and enforce their decisions and may not
be insulated from political considerations and other outside pressures. We
cannot assure you that the licenses held by our businesses or the contracts
providing our businesses access to the airwaves or other rights or agreements
essential for operations will not be significantly modified, revoked or canceled
without justification. If that happens, our ability to seek legal redress may be
substantially delayed or even unavailable in these cases. See "Metromedia
International Group."
RUSSIAN LAW MAY HOLD US LIABLE FOR THE DEBTS OF OUR SUBSIDIARIES, WHICH COULD
HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.
Generally, under the Civil Code of the Russian Federation and the Law of the
Russian Federation on Joint Stock Companies, shareholders in a joint stock
company are not liable for the obligations of the joint stock company, and only
bear the risk of loss of their investment. However, if a parent company has the
capability under its charter or by contract to direct the decision-making of a
subsidiary company, the parent company will bear joint and several
responsibility for transactions concluded by its subsidiary in carrying out its
direction. In addition, a parent company capable of directing the actions of its
subsidiary is secondarily liable for its subsidiary's debts if the subsidiary
becomes insolvent or bankrupt as a result of the action or inaction of its
parent. In this instance, other shareholders of the subsidiary could claim
compensation for the subsidiary's losses from the parent company which caused
the subsidiary to take action or fail to take action, knowing that this action
or failure to take action would result in losses. It is possible that we may be
deemed to be this type of parent company of some of our subsidiaries, and we
could therefore be liable in some cases for the debt of these subsidiaries,
which could have a material adverse effect on us.
WE OPERATE IN COUNTRIES WHERE THE LAWS MAY NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OUR
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS, WHICH WOULD PREVENT US FROM REALIZING FULLY THE ECONOMIC
BENEFITS OF OUR INVESTMENTS IN THESE COUNTRIES.
Shareholders have limited rights and legal protections under the laws of
many of the countries in which we operate. The concept of fiduciary duties of
management or directors owed to their companies is also new and is not well
developed. In some cases, the officers of a company may take actions without
regard to or in contravention of the directions of the shareholders or the board
of directors appointed by the shareholders.
In other cases, a shareholder's ownership interest may be diluted without
its knowledge or approval or even erased from the shareholders' ownership
registry. We cannot assure you that we could obtain legal redress as a
shareholder for any such action in the court systems of these countries.
WE MAY DEFAULT UNDER OUR SNAPPER CREDIT FACILITY, WHICH COULD MATERIALLY AND
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY AND RESULTS OF OPERATION.
Snapper has defaulted in compliance with financial covenants under its
credit facilities and, although these defaults have been waived, we cannot
assure you that it will not default again under its credit facility. Any default
could materially and adversely affect Snapper and our results of operations.
23
<PAGE>
See "--We have substantial debt which may limit our ability to borrow, restrict
the use of our cash flows and constrain our business strategy and we may not be
able to meet our debt obligations."
WE ARE INVOLVED IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL
CONDITION.
We are involved in several legal proceedings in connection with our
investment in RDM Sports Group, Inc.
If we are unsuccessful in defending against the allegations made in these
proceedings, an award of the magnitude being sought in these legal proceedings
would have a material adverse affect on our financial condition and results of
operations. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will not determine that
the advantages of entering into a settlement outweigh the risk and expense of
protracted litigation or that ultimately we will be successful in defending
against these allegations.
THE HOLDERS OF THE NOTES WILL SUFFER CERTAIN NEGATIVE TAX CONSEQUENCES AND THEIR
CLAIMS MAY BE LIMITED IN CERTAIN RESPECTS BECAUSE THE NOTES ARE ISSUED AT AN
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT PRICE.
We will issue the notes at a discount from their principal amount at
maturity. As a result, the holders will be required to include amounts in gross
income for federal income tax purposes in advance of receipt of the cash
payments to which the income is attributable. Please refer to the section in
this prospectus entitled "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" for a more
detailed discussion of the federal income tax consequences to the holders of the
notes resulting from the purchase, ownership or disposition of these notes.
Under the indenture for the notes, if the maturity of the notes is
accelerated, the holders of the notes will be entitled to recover only the
amount which may be declared due and payable pursuant to the indenture, which
will be less than the principal amount at maturity of these notes. Please refer
to the section in this prospectus entitled "Description of the Notes."
If a bankruptcy case is commenced by or against us under the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code, the claim of a holder of notes on the principal amount of the notes may be
limited to an amount equal to the sum of (i) the issue price of the notes and
(ii) that portion of the original issue discount, as determined on the basis of
this issue price, which is not deemed to constitute "unmatured interest" for
purposes of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Any original issue discount that was not
amortized as of any such bankruptcy filing would constitute "unmatured
interest."
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REPAY THE NOTES UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL.
If a change of control of Metromedia International Group occurs, the holders
of the notes would be entitled to require us to make an offer to repurchase
their notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their accreted value or
principal amount, as the case may be, plus accrued but unpaid interest. The
exercise by the holders of their right to require these repurchases could cause
an event of default under our other indebtedness, even if the change of control
in itself does not, due to the financial effect of these repurchases on us.
Our ability to pay cash to the holders upon these repurchases may be limited
by our then financial resources. We cannot assure you that sufficient funds will
be available when necessary to make the required repurchases. Our inability to
repurchase all of the tendered notes would constitute an event of default under
the indenture for the notes. The provisions of the indenture may not afford
holders of the notes the right to require us to repurchase their notes in the
event of a highly-leveraged transaction that may adversely affect these holders
if this transaction is not defined as a change of control under the indenture
for the notes. Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled
"Description of the Notes."
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<PAGE>
A COURT COULD DECLARE THE NOTES VOID, JUNIOR IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT OR TAKE OTHER
ACTIONS DETRIMENTAL TO YOU.
An unpaid creditor or representative of creditors, such as a trustee in
bankruptcy or Metromedia International Group as a debtor-in-possession in a
bankruptcy proceeding, could file a lawsuit claiming that the issuance of the
notes constituted a fraudulent conveyance. If the court were to make such a
finding, it could:
- void our obligations under the notes,
- declare the notes junior in right of payment to other indebtedness, or
- take other actions detrimental to you as a holder of the notes.
To make such a determination, a court would have to find that:
- we did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value for
the notes, and that,
- at the time the notes were issued, we were insolvent or rendered insolvent
by the issuance of the notes; were engaged in a business or transaction
for which our remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or
intended to incur, or believed that we would incur, debts beyond our
ability to pay such debts as they matured.
The measure of insolvency for these purposes will vary depending upon the
law of the jurisdiction and upon the valuation assumptions and the methodology
applied by the court.
Moreover, regardless of solvency, a court could void an incurrence of
indebtedness, including the notes, if it determined that the transaction was
made with intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors, or a court could declare
the indebtedness, including the notes, junior in right of payment to the claims
of all existing and future creditors on similar grounds.
YOU MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SELL YOUR NOTES.
The notes will constitute a new issue of securities with no established
trading market, and we cannot assure you as to:
- the development of any market for the notes,
- the liquidity of any market for the notes that may develop,
- your ability to sell your notes, or
- the price at which you would be able to sell your notes.
If a market for the notes were to exist, the notes could trade at prices
that may be higher or lower than their principal amount or purchase price,
depending on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, the market for
similar debentures and the financial performance of Metromedia International
Group. Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject
to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of
securities similar to the notes. We cannot assure you that the market for the
notes, if any, will not be subject to similar disruptions. Any disruption in the
market for these notes may adversely affect you as a holder of the notes.
THE ISSUANCE OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET FOR THE OLD
NOTES.
If old notes are tendered for exchange and accepted in the exchange offer,
the trading market for the untendered and tendered but unaccepted old notes
could be adversely affected. Please refer to the section in this prospectus
entitled "--Your failure to participate in the exchange offer will have adverse
consequences."
25
<PAGE>
YOUR FAILURE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL HAVE ADVERSE
CONSEQUENCES.
The old notes were not registered under the Securities Act or under the
securities laws of any state and you may not resell them, offer them for resale
or otherwise transfer them unless they are subsequently registered or resold
under an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws. If you do not exchange your old notes for
exchange notes pursuant to this exchange offer, or if you do not properly tender
your old notes in this exchange offer, you will not be able to resell, offer to
resell or otherwise transfer the old notes unless they are registered under the
Securities Act or unless you resell them, offer to resell or otherwise transfer
them under an exemption from the registration requirements of, or in a
transaction not subject to, the Securities Act. In addition, you will no longer
be able to obligate us to register the old notes under Securities Act.
CERTAIN PERSONS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER MUST DELIVER A PROSPECTUS
IN CONNECTION WITH RESALES OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES.
Based on certain no-action letters issued by the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, we believe that you may offer for resale, resell or
otherwise transfer the exchange notes without compliance with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. However, in some
instances described in this prospectus under "The Exchange Offer," you will
remain obligated to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act to transfer your exchange notes. In these
cases, if you transfer any exchange note without delivering a prospectus meeting
the requirements of the Securities Act or without an exemption from registration
of your exchange notes under this Act, you may incur liability under the
Securities Act. We do not and will not assume or indemnify you against this
liability.
OUR FUTURE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MAY BE SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM OUR
STATEMENTS ABOUT OUR FUTURE PROSPECTS AND YOU SHOULD NOT UNDULY RELY ON THESE
STATEMENTS.
Any statements in this prospectus about our expectations, beliefs, plans,
objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts
and are 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.
These forward-looking statements are often but not always made through the use
of words or phrases like "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should" or
"anticipates" or the negative of these words or phrases or other variations on
these words or phrases or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy
that involves risks and uncertainties.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance
or achievements or industry results to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors
include, among others:
- general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things,
impact demand for our products and services,
- industry capacity, which tends to increase during strong years of the
business cycle,
- changes in public taste, industry trends and demographic changes,
- competition from other communications companies, which may affect our
ability to generate revenues,
- political, social and economic conditions and changes in laws, rules and
regulations or their administration or interpretation, particularly in
Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, China and other selected emerging
markets, which may affect our results of operations,
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<PAGE>
- timely completion of construction projects for new systems for the joint
ventures in which we have invested, which may impact the costs of these
projects,
- developing legal structures in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union,
China and other selected emerging markets, which may affect our ability to
enforce our legal rights,
- cooperation of local partners for our communications investments in
Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, China and other selected emerging
markets, which may affect our results of operations,
- exchange rate fluctuations,
- license renewals for our communications investments in Eastern Europe, the
former Soviet Union, China and other selected emerging markets,
- the loss of any significant customers,
- changes in business strategy or development plans,
- the quality of management,
- the availability of qualified personnel,
- changes in or the failure to comply with government regulations, and
- other factors referenced in this prospectus.
Accordingly, any forward-looking statement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to these risks, uncertainties and other factors and you should not
place any undue reliance on them. Furthermore, any forward-looking statement
speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New factors emerge from time to
time and it is not possible for us to predict which will arise. In addition, we
cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which
any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Furthermore, this document constitutes a Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure
Statement, and the statements in this prospectus are subject to the Year 2000
Information and Readiness Disclosure Act and we hereby claim the protection of
this Act for this document and all the information contained in it.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of our notes in
exchange for our outstanding old notes. We are making this exchange offer solely
in connection with our merger with PLD Telekom. In consideration for issuing our
notes, we will receive old notes in aggregate accreted value equal to the
accreted value on the exchange notes.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the capitalization of Metromedia
International Group as of June 30, 1999 (i) as reported, and (ii) on a pro forma
basis as adjusted to reflect our merger with PLD Telekom, the restructuring of
PLD Telekom's obligations and the purchase of the Technocom Limited minority
interests. The table should be read in conjunction with the consollidated
financial statements of Metromedia International Group and PLD Telekom and their
related notes thereto incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the
unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information, which appears on
pages 34 to 41.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF JUNE 30, 1999
--------------------------
ACTUAL PRO FORMA
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
(IN THOUSANDS)
Cash and cash equivalents........................................................... $ 101,948 $ 96,914
------------ ------------
------------ ------------
Debt (including current portion):
Snapper Term Loan................................................................... $ 4,500 $ 4,500
Snapper Revolving Credit Facility due November 2003................................. 38,564 38,564
10.5% Metromedia senior discount notes due 2007..................................... -- 159,410
10.5% Travelers note................................................................ -- 4,920
PLD Telekom supplier financing and note payable..................................... -- 15,413
Other long-term debt, including capital leases...................................... 1,595 5,439
------------ ------------
Total debt.......................................................................... 44,659 228,246
Stockholders' equity:
7.25% cumulative convertible preferred stock........................................ 207,000 207,000
Common stock........................................................................ 69,162 90,412
Paid-in surplus..................................................................... 1,012,987 1,155,285
Accumulated deficit................................................................. (887,674) (887,674)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss................................................ (5,565) (5,565)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity.......................................................... 395,910 559,458
------------ ------------
Total capitalization................................................................ $ 440,569 $ 787,704
------------ ------------
------------ ------------
</TABLE>
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METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP
We are a global communications company. Through our communications group, we
are engaged in the development and operation of a variety of communications
businesses in Eastern Europe, the republics of the former Soviet Union, the
People's Republic of China and other selected emerging markets. These businesses
include telephony, cable television, paging and radio broadcasting. We also own
Snapper, Inc., which manufactures premium-priced power lawnmowers, lawn
tractors, garden tillers, snow throwers and related parts and accessories under
the Snapper-Registered Trademark- brand.
Our objective is to establish ourselves as a major multiple-market provider
of modern communications services in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and
other selected emerging markets.
At June 30, 1999, we owned interests in and participated with partners in
the management of joint ventures that had 48 operational systems. These
operational systems consisted of 12 cable television systems, two GSM cellular
telephone systems, one joint venture that is building out an operational GSM
system and providing financing, technical assistance and consulting services to
the local system operator, one international and long distance telephony
provider, two wireless local loop operator, 13 paging systems and 17 radio
broadcasting stations. In addition, we have interests in and participate with
partners in the management of several joint ventures that, as of June 30, 1999,
had four pre-operational systems. In Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union,
we generally own 50% or more of the operating joint ventures in which we invest.
On the date of this prospectus, we consummated a merger with PLD Telekom, a
major provider of local, long distance and international telecommunications
services in the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Belarus. Please refer to the
section in this prospectus entitled "About Our Merger with PLD Telekom."
Our joint ventures experienced significant growth in 1998. At the end of
1998, we had approximately 520,182 subscribers compared to 305,198 at the end of
1997, which represents an increase of approximately 70%. The total combined
revenues of our communications group's consolidated and unconsolidated joint
ventures for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 were $130.1
million, $91.2 million and $57.2 million, respectively. As many of our joint
ventures are not consolidated in our results of operations, our communications
group reported consolidated revenues of $30.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998, or approximately 12.6% of our total reported revenues for the
year ended December 31, 1998. We expect that this percentage will increase as
our communications group's joint ventures grow their businesses.
Recent adverse economic conditions in the Russian Federation and Eastern
Europe and the uncertainties associated with the governmental policies to
address these conditions could affect our cable television, paging and radio
broadcasting businesses in Russia, Belarus and other emerging countries. The
recent slowdown in growth in China and possible significant changes in the
regulation of foreign participation in and financing of the telecommunications
industry in China could affect the ability of our Chinese joint ventures to
generate revenue, cash flows or net income. Please refer to the section in this
document entitled "Risk Factors."
Because legal restrictions in China prohibit foreign participation in the
operation or ownership in the telecommunications sector, our joint ventures in
China provide financing, technical advice, consulting and other services for the
construction and development of telephony networks for China United
Telecommunications Incorporated, known as China Unicom, a Chinese
telecommunications operator. The completed networks are operated by China
Unicom. In return, we receive payments from China Unicom based on the
distributable cash flow generated by the networks.
Ningbo Ya Mei Telecommunications, Ltd., one of our two joint ventures in
Ningbo Municipality, China, has received a letter from China Unicom stating that
the supervisory department of the Chinese
29
<PAGE>
government had requested that China Unicom terminate the project with Ningbo Ya
Mei. China Unicom subsequently informed us that the notification also applies to
our other joint venture in Ningbo Municipality. The notification from China
Unicom requested that negotiations begin immediately regarding the amounts to be
paid to Ningbo Ya Mei, including return of investment made and appropriate
compensation and other matters related to the winding up of the joint venture's
activities as a result of this notice. Negotiations regarding the terms of the
termination have begun and are continuing. The content of the negotiations
includes determining the investment principal of our Ningbo joint ventures,
appropriate compensation and other matters related to termination of contracts.
The letter further stated that due to technical reasons which were not
specified, the cash distribution plan for the first half of 1999 had not been
decided, and that China Unicom also expected to discuss this subject with Ningbo
Ya Mei. As a result, we cannot currently determine the amount of compensation
that our Ningbo joint ventures will receive.
While there can be no assurance that China Unicom will provide similar
letters to our other two sino-sino-foreign telephony-related joint ventures, we
expect that these joint ventures will also be the subject of project termination
negotiations. China Unicom has suspended cooperation on further development of
networks with these joint ventures and we believe that this action reflects
China Unicom's intention to negotiate the termination of its relationship with
these joint ventures as well. We cannot yet predict the effect on us of the
Ningbo joint ventures' negotiations and the expected winding up of our other two
telephony-related joint ventures, but we believe such negotiations, if adversely
concluded, or the failure to make scheduled cash distributions, could have a
material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
Depending on the amount of compensation we receive, we will record a non cash
charge equal to the difference between the sum of the carrying values of our
investment and advances made to joint ventures plus goodwill less the cash
compensation we receive from the joint ventures which China Unicom has paid. Our
investment in and advances to joint ventures and goodwill balance at June 30,
1999 were approximately $71 million and $67 million respectively. We are
currently evaluating other investment opportunities in China and recently
announced the establishment of a new joint venture in China to develop and
operate an e-commerce system.
We owned Snapper before the shift in our business focus to a global
communications company. Accordingly, we view Snapper as a non-core asset and
manage Snapper in order to maximize stockholder value. Snapper manufactures
Snapper brand power lawn and garden equipment for sale to both residential and
commercial customers. The residential equipment includes self-propelled and
push-type walk-behind lawnmowers, rear-engine riding lawnmowers, garden
tractors, zero-turn radius lawn equipment, garden tillers, snow throwers, and
related parts and accessories. The commercial mowing equipment includes
commercial quality self-propelled walk-behind lawnmowers, and wide-area and
front-mount zero-turn radius lawn equipment.
Snapper products are premium-priced, generally selling at retail from $300
to $10,500. Snapper sells to and supports directly an approximately 5,000-dealer
network for the distribution of its products. Snapper also sells its products
through foreign distributors.
A large percentage of the residential and commercial sales of lawn and
garden equipment are made during a 17-week period from early spring to
mid-summer. Although some sales are made to the dealers and distributors prior
and subsequent to this period, the largest volume of sales is made during this
time. The majority of revenues during the late fall and winter periods are
related to snow thrower shipments. Snapper has an agreement with a financial
institution which makes floor-plan financing for Snapper products available to
dealers. If there is a default by a dealer, Snapper is obligated to repurchase
any new and unused equipment recovered from the dealership. At December 31,
1998, there was approximately $96.4 million outstanding under this floor-plan
financing arrangement. We have guaranteed Snapper's payment obligations under
this arrangement.
30
<PAGE>
Snapper also makes available, through General Electric Credit Corporation, a
retail customer revolving credit plan. This credit plan allows consumers to pay
for Snapper products over time. Consumers also receive Snapper credit cards
which can be used to purchase additional Snapper products.
Snapper manufactures its products in McDonough, Georgia at facilities
totaling approximately 1.0 million square feet. Excluding engines, transmission
and tires, Snapper manufactures a substantial portion of the component parts for
its products. Most of the parts and material for Snapper's products are
commercially available from a number of sources.
For the year ended December 31, 1998, Snapper reported revenues of $210.1
million, or approximately 87.4% of our total consolidated revenues for the year
ended December 31, 1998. We expect that this percentage will decrease as the
communication group's consolidated joint ventures grow their businesses.
31
<PAGE>
ABOUT OUR MERGER WITH PLD TELEKOM
We are making this exchange offer in connection with the consummation on the
date of this prospectus of our merger with PLD Telekom. In the merger, PLD
Telekom became a wholly owned subsidiary of Metromedia International Group.
PLD Telekom, through its operating subsidiaries, is a major provider of
local, long distance and international telecommunications services in the
Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Belarus.
PLD Telekom's objective is to be a leading participant in the targeted
development of telecommunications infrastructure, products and services in the
emerging markets of the Russian Federation and other countries of the former
Soviet Union.
Its five principal operating businesses are:
- PeterStar Company Limited: a provider of integrated local, long distance
and international telecommunications services in St. Petersburg through a
fully digital fiber optic network;
- Technocom Limited: a provider, through Teleport-TP, of dedicated
international telecommunications services to Russian and foreign
businesses in Moscow and an operator of a satellite-based pan-Russian long
distance network;
- Baltic Communications Limited: a provider of dedicated international
telecommunications services in St. Petersburg;
- ALTEL (formerly BECET International): a provider of a national cellular
service in Kazakhstan; and
- Belarus-Netherlands Belcel Joint Venture: a provider of the only national
cellular service in Belarus.
In addition, PLD Telekom is developing a portfolio of international long
distance products and services under the name "PLDncompass" targeted at carriers
and corporate customers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe
which require telecommunications services to and from the countries of the
former Soviet Union.
The fostering of existing, and the creation of new, partnerships with local
and regional partners is crucial to the long-term success of PLD Telekom in this
environment. In its operating businesses, PLD Telekom's partners include:
- Petersburg Telephone Network: the local telephone system operator in St.
Petersburg;
- St. Petersburg Intercity & International Telephone: the gateway for
national and international long distance calls to and from St. Petersburg,
which, together with Petersburg Telephone Network, holds an indirect 14%
interest in PeterStar Company Limited;
- Kazakhtelekom: the state-owned national telecommunications operator in
Kazakhstan and the holder of a 50% interest in ALTEL; and
- AO Rostelecom: the primary long distance and international carrier in the
Russian Federation and a 44% stockholder in Teleport-TP.
In the merger, each share of common stock of PLD Telekom was exchanged for
shares of our common stock. Each share of preferred stock of PLD Telekom was
redeemed for cash at a redemption price of Cdn. $1.00 per share. Each
outstanding option and warrant to acquire shares of PLD Telekom was converted
into options and warrants to purchase a number of shares of common stock of
Metromedia International Group to be determined based on the exchange ratio
described above.
32
<PAGE>
In connection with the consummation of our merger with PLD Telekom, the
holders of $122,730,000 in principal amount of PLD Telekom's 14% senior discount
notes due 2004 and the holders of $25,000,000 in principal amount of PLD
Telekom's 9% convertible subordinated notes due 2006 have exchanged their PLD
Telekom notes for an aggregate of $145,230,000 in accreted value, or
$187,572,000, in principal amount at maturity, of Metromedia International
Group's old notes. In addition, accrued interest on the PLD Telekom notes
through the date of the merger was paid through the issuance of additional notes
with an accreted value equal to 100% of the outstanding amount of this accrued
but unpaid interest. It was a condition to the exchange of the PLD Telekom notes
that the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part be declared
effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Also, in connection with the completion of our merger with PLD Telekom, PLD
Telekom repaid The Travelers Insurance Company and The Travelers Indemnity
Company $8.5 million of amounts due under their revolving credit and warrant
agreement dated November 26, 1997 with PLD Telekom. PLD Telekom has agreed to
repay Travelers the remaining $4.92 million due under this agreement on August
30, 2000. At the closing of the merger, Travelers was issued 100,000 shares of
PLD Telekom common stock that were converted into shares of our common stock at
the exchange ratio described above in the merger. Travelers was also issued
10-year warrants to purchase 700,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise
price to be determined in December 2000 between $10.00 and $15.00 per share.
However, if the amount outstanding has not fully been repaid by August 30, 2000,
then the exercise price of the warrants will be reset to $.01. Travelers will
maintain its existing security interests in certain PLD Telekom assets and its
debt will be guaranteed by Metromedia International Group and three of PLD
Telekom's subsidiaries.
Also in connection with our merger with PLD Telekom, PLD Telekom purchased
all of the shares of Technocom Limited from its existing minority shareholders
for an aggregate purchase price of $12.6 million. Technocom Limited is now
wholly owned by PLD Telekom.
33
<PAGE>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following Unaudited Pro Forma Combining Balance Sheet of Metromedia as
of June 30, 1999 and Unaudited Pro Forma Combining Statements of Operations for
the six months ended June 30, 1999 and the year ended December 31, 1998
illustrate the effect of the merger and the restructuring of PLD Telekom's
obligations and purchase of the Technocom Limited minority interests. The
Unaudited Pro Forma Combining Balance Sheet assumes that the transactions
referred to above are completed as of June 30, 1999 and the Unaudited Pro Forma
Combining Statements of Operations assumes that the transactions referred to
above have been completed as of the beginning of the periods presented.
Under the terms of the transaction, the holders of PLD Telekom common stock
will receive shares of Metromedia International Group common stock on the basis
of an exchange ratio that values each share of PLD Telekom common stock at $3.50
per share if the average Metromedia International Group price per share is
between $5.25 and $6.25 at closing. If the average price of Metromedia
International Group common stock exceeds $6.25 per share, each share of PLD
Telekom common stock will be exchanged for .56 shares of Metromedia
International Group common stock, not to exceed $4.48 per share of Metromedia
International Group common stock. If the average price of Metromedia
International Group common stock is less than $5.25 per share, each share of PLD
Telekom common stock will be exchangeable for .6667 shares of Metromedia
International Group common stock, subject to termination and "top-up" rights.
We have prepared these Unaudited Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements
assuming an exchange ratio of .56 (which assumes an average price of Metromedia
International Group common stock in excess of $6.25 but less than $8.00) and a
stock price of $6.93. The actual exchange ratio will be determined on the date
of determination in accordance with the formulas set forth in the merger
agreement. See "About our Merger with PLD Telekom."
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
We will record the merger as a purchase transaction. For accounting
purposes, Metromedia International Group will be deemed to be the surviving
corporation in the merger.
The pro forma adjustments are based upon currently available information and
upon assumptions that management of each of Metromedia International Group and
PLD Telekom believes are reasonable. We will account for the merger based upon
the estimated fair market value of the net tangible and intangible assets
acquired at the date of acquisition. The adjustments included in the Unaudited
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements represent the preliminary determination
of these adjustments based upon available information. We cannot assure you that
the actual adjustments will not differ significantly from the pro forma
adjustments reflected in the pro forma financial information.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements are not necessarily
indicative of either future results of operations or results that might have
been achieved if the foregoing transactions had been consummated as of the
indicated dates. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements should
be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements of Metromedia
International Group and PLD Telekom, together with the related notes thereto. We
have incorporated those historical financial statements in this document by
reference.
34
<PAGE>
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING BALANCE SHEET
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JUNE 30, 1999
-------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
MERGER AND
DEBT METROMEDIA
METROMEDIA PLD RESTRUCTURING PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents.............................. $ 101,948 $ 7,882 $ (6,741)(1) $ 96,914
(8,500)(1)
(12,595)(1)
(300)(1)
15,220(2)
Accounts receivable.................................... 39,256 14,094 -- 53,350
Inventories............................................ 56,356 3,557 -- 59,913
Other current assets................................... 9,592 13,984 (3,014)(3) 20,562
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
Current assets..................................... 207,152 39,517 (15,930) 230,739
Escrow funds........................................... -- 15,220 (15,220)(2) --
Investments in and advances to Joint Ventures.......... 156,199 8,607 -- 164,806
Property, plant and equipment, net..................... 34,209 172,171 -- 206,380
Intangibles............................................ 157,743 107,231 (35,364)(1) 359,952
130,342(1)
Other assets........................................... 4,229 8,414 (5,884)(1) 6,759
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
Total assets....................................... $ 559,532 $ 351,160 $ 57,944 $ 968,636
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
Accounts payable and accrued expenses.................. $ 83,838 $ 35,109 $ 6,000(1) $ 111,791
(12,560)(1)
(582)(1)
(14)(3)
Short-term debt........................................ 886 30,283 (6,450)(1) 8,299
(13,420)(1)
(3,000)(3)
Other current liabilities.............................. -- 10,908 -- 10,908
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
Current liabilities................................ 84,724 76,300 (30,026) 130,998
Long-term debt......................................... 43,773 150,095 (138,251)(1) 219,947
4,920(1)
159,410(1)
Other liabilities...................................... 4,807 -- -- 4,807
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
Total liabilities.................................. 133,304 226,395 (3,947) 355,752
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
Minority interest...................................... 30,318 23,108 -- 53,426
Stockholders' equity:
7 1/4% cumulative convertible preferred stock........ 207,000 -- -- 207,000
Preferred stock...................................... -- 4 (4)(1) --
Common stock......................................... 69,162 378 (378)(1) 90,412
21,250(1)
Paid-in surplus........................................ 1,012,987 245,332 (245,332)(1) 1,155,285
126,013(1)
4,228(1)
8,697(1)
3,360(1)
Accumulated deficit.................................... (887,674) (144,057) 144,057(1) (887,674)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss................... (5,565) -- -- (5,565)
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity............................. 395,910 101,657 61,891 559,458
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity......... $ 559,532 $ 351,160 $ 57,944 $ 968,636
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
----------- ---------- ----------------- -----------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combining financial statements.
35
<PAGE>
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
MERGER AND
METROMEDIA DEBT METROMEDIA
HISTORICAL PLD RESTRUCTURING PRO FORMA
(13) HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
------------- ---------- ---------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues............................................... $ 132,647 $ 57,328 $ -- $ 189,975
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses................. 79,572 17,483 -- 97,055
Selling, general and administrative.................. 60,602 26,450 -- 87,052
Depreciation and amortization........................ 8,587 16,520 (1,004)(7) 30,620
6,517(8)
------------- ---------- ------- -----------
Operating loss......................................... (16,114) (3,125) (5,513) (24,752)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense..................................... (6,929) (14,367) 11,880(4) (15,754)
(8,369)(4)
1,289(5)
1,014(6)
(258)(6)
(14)(11)
Interest income...................................... 4,246 489 (669)(10) 4,052
(14)(11)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated investees......... (5,933) (430) -- (6,363)
Other................................................ (2,794) 110 -- (2,684)
------------- ---------- ------- -----------
Loss before income tax expense and minority interest... (27,524) (17,323) (654) (45,501)
Income tax expense..................................... (205) (4,723) -- (4,928)
Minority interest...................................... 4,852 (2,087) -- 2,765
------------- ---------- ------- -----------
Net loss............................................... (22,877) (24,133) (654) (47,664)
Cumulative convertible preferred stock dividend
requirement.......................................... (7,504) -- -- (7,504)
------------- ---------- ------- -----------
Net loss attributable to common stockholders........... $ (30,381) $ (24,133) $ (654) $ (55,168)
------------- ---------- ------- -----------
------------- ---------- ------- -----------
Weighted average number of common shares-- Basic
(12)................................................. 69,137 37,847 90,387
------------- ---------- -----------
------------- ---------- -----------
Loss per common share--Basic:
Net loss attributable to common stockholders........... $ (0.44) $ (0.64) $ (0.61)
------------- ---------- -----------
------------- ---------- -----------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combining financial statements.
36
<PAGE>
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
MERGER AND
METROMEDIA DEBT METROMEDIA
HISTORICAL PLD RESTRUCTURING PRO FORMA
(13) HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
------------- ----------- ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues...................................................... $ 240,292 $ 145,360 $ -- $ 385,652
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses........................ 155,916 45,348 -- 201,264
Selling, general and administrative......................... 153,327 63,993 -- 217,320
Depreciation and amortization............................... 20,588 26,071 (1,080)(7) 58,613
13,034(8)
Nonrecurring charge......................................... 40,317 -- 40,317
------------- ----------- ------------- -----------
Operating income (loss)....................................... (129,856) 9,948 (11,954) (131,862)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense............................................ (16,331) (23,732) 20,760(4) (33,906)
(16,738)(4)
35(5)
2,617(6)
(517)(6)
Interest income............................................. 12,746 2,384 (1,309) 10) 13,821
Equity in losses of unconsolidated investees................ (18,151) (958) -- (19,109)
Other......................................................... 5,390 (11,203) -- (5,813)
------------- ----------- ------------- -----------
Loss before income tax benefit (expense) and minority
interest.................................................... (146,202) (23,561) (7,106) (176,869)
Income tax benefit (expense).................................. 358 (9,864) -- (9,506)
Minority interest............................................. 9,858 (9,386) (2,038)(9) (1,566)
------------- ----------- ------------- -----------
Loss from continuing operations............................... (135,986) (42,811) (9,144) (187,941)
Cumulative convertible preferred stock dividend requirement... (15,008) -- -- (15,008)
------------- ----------- ------------- -----------
Loss from continuing operations attributable to common
stockholders................................................ $ (150,994) $ (42,811) $ (9,144) $(202,949)
------------- ----------- ------------- -----------
------------- ----------- ------------- -----------
Weighted average number of common
shares--Basic (12).......................................... 68,955 35,274 90,205
------------- ----------- -----------
------------- ----------- -----------
Loss per common share--Basic:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to common
stockholders................................................ $ (2.19) $ (1.21) $ (2.25)
------------- ----------- -----------
------------- ----------- -----------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combining financial statements.
37
<PAGE>
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------
(1) Reflects the acquisition by Metromedia International Group of PLD Telekom at
June 30, 1999 as follows:
(i) the issuance of 21.25 million common shares of Metromedia International
Group using an exchange ratio of .56 shares of Metromedia International
Group for each share of PLD Telekom since the price of Metromedia
International Group stock is greater than $6.25 and less than or equal
to $8.00;
(ii) the exchange by holders of PLD Telekom's 14.0% senior discount notes
due 2004 with carrying value of $111,751,000 and 9.0% subordinated
convertible notes with a carrying value of $26,500,000 together with
accrued interest payable of $12,560,000 (together, the PLD notes) for
Metromedia International Group's 10.5% senior discount notes due 2007
with a value of $159,410,000. Under the terms of the transactions,
holders of PLD Telekom's 14.0% senior discount notes will receive
Metromedia International Group 10.5% senior discount notes with an
accreted value of $123.0 million and holders of PLD Telekom's 9.0%
subordinated convertible notes will receive Metromedia International
Group 10.5% senior discount notes with an accreted value of $23.85
million. Additionally, the holders of the PLD Telekom 14.0% senior
discount notes and 9.0% subordinated convertible notes will receive
Metromedia International Group 10.5% senior discount notes with an
accreted value of $12.56 million as payment for accrued interest
payable on such notes.
(iii) the repayment of $6.45 million of News America notes payable and
$582,000 of interest payable for $6.741 million. Under the terms of the
transaction, News America has agreed to retroactively reduce the
interest rate it has charged to PLD Telekom from 20% per year to 10%
per year, thereby resulting in a reduction of the accrued interest
payable;
(iv) the purchase of the equity interests of the two minority shareholders
of Technocom Limited. Under the terms of the transaction, the minority
shareholders of Technocom Limited have agreed to sell their interests
in Technocom Limited to PLD Telekom for a purchase price of
$12,595,000;
(v) the payment of $8.5 million of $13.42 million of the loans owed to
Travelers. Under the terms of the transaction, Travelers has agreed to
accept $8.5 million of the principal amount owed by PLD Telekom at
closing and to defer repayment of the remaining $4.92 million of
principal amount owed by PLD Telekom until the earlier of August 30,
2000 or one year from the closing date of the transaction;
(vi) the redemption of PLD Telekom's Series II and Series III preferred
stock for cash;
(vii) the value of warrants to purchase 700,000 shares of Metromedia
International Group common stock issued to Travelers in exchange for
outstanding warrants. Such value has been determined using the
Black-Scholes method assuming 72.5% volatility, a risk free interest
rate of 5.2% and an average exercise period of 10 years;
(viii) the value of options exchanged for outstanding PLD Telekom options.
Such value has been determined using the Black-Scholes method assuming
72.5% volatility, a risk free interest rate of 5.07% and an average
exercise period of 3 years;
(ix) the value of warrants exchanged for outstanding PLD Telekom warrants.
Such value has been determined using the Black-Scholes method assuming
72.5% volatility, a risk free interest rate of 5.02% and average
exercise period of 2 years;
38
<PAGE>
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(x) estimated transaction costs; and
(xi) the elimination of historical net assets acquired comprised of PLD
Telekom's historical stockholders' equity, historical debt and related
interest either repaid or refinanced in the merger reduced by goodwill
and deferred financing fees (in thousands, except per share
information).
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Issuance of Common Stock
PLD Telekom shares outstanding at June 30, 1999
adjusted for 100,000 shares to be issued to
Travelers........................................... 37,947
Number of shares issued to acquire PLD Telekom........ 21,250
Per share price....................................... $ 6.93
---------
Value of shares issued.................................. $ 147,263
Value of debt exchanged................................. 159,410
Repayment of News America notes payable and interest.... 6,741
Payment for minority interests of Technocom Limited..... 12,595
Partial repayment of loans owed to Travelers............ 8,500
Payment for PLD Telekom preferred stock................. 300
Value of warrants issued to Travelers................... 4,228
Value of options exchanged.............................. 8,697
Value of warrants exchanged............................. 3,360
Estimated transaction costs............................. 6,000
---------
Purchase price.......................................... 357,094
Less Net Assets Acquired
PLD Telekom Historical Stockholders' Equity........... 101,657
PLD Telekom Historical Debt and Related Interest
Repaid or Refinanced................................ 166,343
PLD Telekom Historical Goodwill....................... (35,364)
PLD Telekom Historical Deferred Financing Fees........ (5,884)
---------
226,752
---------
Excess of cost over historical net assets acquired...... $ 130,342
---------
---------
</TABLE>
For illustrative purposes, Metromedia International Group has made a
preliminary allocation of excess cost over estimated net assets acquired to
goodwill as PLD Telekom's assets and liabilities are estimated to
approximate fair value. The final allocation of purchase price to assets and
liabilities acquired will depend upon the final purchase price as determined
by the final exchange ratio and the amount of debt and related interest to
be repaid or refinanced and the final estimates of fair values of assets and
liabilities of PLD Telekom at the closing date. Metromedia International
Group will undertake a study to determine the fair values of assets and
liabilities acquired and will allocate the purchase price accordingly.
Metromedia International Group believes that the carrying value of current
assets and current liabilities approximates fair value and that the excess
of cost over historical net assets acquired will be allocated to property
and equipment, telecommunication licenses and goodwill. However, there can
be no assurance that the actual allocation will not differ significantly
from the pro forma allocation.
(2) Reflects removal of restrictions on escrowed funds in connection with the
exchange of the PLD Telekom notes.
39
<PAGE>
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(3) Reflects elimination of bridge loan provided to PLD Telekom by Metromedia
together with accrued interest.
(4) Reflects the elimination of historical interest expense attributable to the
PLD notes and the recording of interest expense for the Metromedia
International Group 10.5% senior discount notes.
(5) Reflects the elimination of historical interest expense attributable to the
News America notes payable.
(6) Reflects the elimination of interest expense attributable to the $13.42
million of Travelers' 12.0% revolving credit notes and accrual of interest
on $4.92 million of Travelers' notes at 10.5%.
(7) Reflects the elimination of amortization of historical PLD Telekom goodwill.
(8) Reflects amortization expense of the excess of cost over historical net
assets acquired in the merger by use of the straight-line method over 10
years. Should the allocation of such excess of cost over historical net
assets acquired differ significantly as described in note 1 above,
amortization expense could increase since the lives of assets other than
goodwill may be shorter.
(9) Reflects reversal of minority interest income recorded by PLD Telekom as a
result of the allocation of a portion of the 1998 net loss of Technocom
Limited to the minority. In connection with the acquisition of the minority
interest, the pro-forma assumes that the minority interest was acquired at
the beginning of the period (January 1, 1998). As such, the entry reflects
the reversal of the 1998 credit for allocation of losses to the minority
interest. As of December 31, 1998, the minority interest was fully depleted
and no such allocation of the Technocom Limited loss has been made
subsequent to December 31, 1998.
(10) Reflects elimination of interest income on cash used in connection with
payments of certain PLD Telekom debt and purchase of minority interests of
Technocom Limited.
(11) Reflects elimination of interest income and expense on bridge financing
facility provided to PLD Telekom by Metromedia International Group.
(12) The average common shares outstanding used in calculating pro forma loss
per common share from continuing operations are calculated assuming that the
estimated number of shares of Metromedia International Group common stock to
be issued in the merger were outstanding from the beginning of the periods
presented. Options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock as well
as shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of Metromedia
International Group's convertible preferred stock were not included in
computing pro forma diluted earnings per common share because their
inclusion would result in a smaller loss per common share.
(13) Ningbo Ya Mei Telecommunications, Ltd., one of Metromedia International
Group's two joint ventures in Ningbo Municipality, China, has received a
letter from China Unicom stating that the supervisory department of the
Chinese government had requested that China Unicom terminate the project
with Ningbo Ya Mei. China Unicom subsequently informed Metromedia
International Group that the notification also applies to Metromedia
International Group's other joint venture in Ningbo Municipality. The
notification from China Unicom requested that negotiations begin immediately
regarding the amounts to be paid to Ningbo Ya Mei, including return of
investment made and appropriate compensation and other matters related to
the winding up of the joint venture's activities as a result of this notice.
Negotiations regarding the terms of the termination have begun and are
continuing. The content of the negotiations includes determining the
investment principal of Metromedia International Group's Ningbo joint
ventures, appropriate
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METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
compensation and other matters related to termination of contracts. The
letter further stated that due to technical reasons which were not
specified, the cash distribution plan for the first half of 1999 had not
been decided, and that China Unicom also expected to discuss this subject
with Ningbo Ya Mei. As a result, Metromedia International Group cannot
currently determine the amount of compensation that its Ningbo joint
ventures will receive.
While there can be no assurance that China Unicom will provide similar
letters to Metromedia International Group's other two sino-sino-foreign
telephony-related joint ventures, Metromedia International Group expects
that these joint ventures will also be the subject of project termination
negotiations. Metromedia International Group cannot yet predict the effect
on it of the Ningbo joint ventures' negotiations and the expected winding up
of Metromedia International Group's other two telephony-related joint
ventures, but Metromedia International Group believes such negotiations, if
adversely concluded, or the failure to make scheduled cash distributions,
could have a material adverse effect on its financial position and results
of operations. Depending on the amount of compensation it receives,
Metromedia International Group will record a non cash charge equal to the
difference between the sum of the carrying values of its investment and
advances made to joint ventures plus goodwill less the cash compensation it
receives from the joint ventures which China Unicom has paid. Metromedia
International Group's investment in and advances to joint ventures and
goodwill balance at June 30, 1999 were approximately $71 million and $67
million, respectively. No adjustment has been made to the unaudited pro
forma combined financial statements to writedown goodwill relating to
Metromedia International Group's telecommunications joint ventures in China.
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THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
We are making this exchange offer in connection with our agreement to merge
with PLD Telekom. It was a condition to the consummation of our merger that the
holders of at least 95% of PLD Telekom's 14% senior discount notes due 2004 and
9% convertible subordinated notes due 2006 agree to exchange their PLD Telekom
notes for our old notes and consent to certain amendments to the existing
indentures for the PLD Telekom notes. In connection with the completion of the
merger, the holders of $122,730,000 in principal amount of PLD Telekom's 14%
senior discount notes and the holders of $25,000,000 in principal amount of PLD
Telekom's 9% convertible subordinated notes exchanged their notes for an
aggregate of $145,230,000 in accreted value, or $187,572,000 in principal amount
at maturity, of our old notes. In addition, accrued interest on the PLD Telekom
notes through the date of the merger was paid through the issuance of additional
old notes with an accreted value equal to 100% of the outstanding amount of this
accrued but unpaid interest. It was a condition to this exchange that the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part be declared effective
by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This prospectus, together with the
letter of transmittal, is first being sent on or about , 1999 to all
holders of our old notes known to us.
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
We are offering to exchange our exchange notes for a like aggregate
principal amount at maturity of our old notes.
The exchange notes that we propose to issue in this exchange offer will be
substantially identical to our old notes except that, unlike our old notes, the
exchange notes will have no transfer restrictions or registration rights. You
should read the description of the exchange notes in the section in this
prospectus entitled "Description of the Notes."
We reserve the right in our sole discretion to purchase or make offers for
any old notes that remain outstanding following the expiration or termination of
this exchange offer and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to purchase
old notes in the open market or privately negotiated transactions, one or more
additional tender or exchange offers or otherwise. The terms and prices of these
purchases or offers could differ significantly from the terms of this exchange
offer. In addition, nothing in this exchange offer will prevent us from
exercising our right to discharge our obligations on the old notes by depositing
certain securities with the trustee and otherwise.
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS; TERMINATION
This exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on ,
1999, unless we extend it in our reasonable discretion. The expiration date of
this exchange offer will be at least 20 business days after the commencement of
the exchange offer in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
We expressly reserve the right to delay acceptance of any old notes, extend
or terminate this exchange offer and not accept any old notes that we have not
previously accepted if any of the conditions described below under "--Conditions
to the Exchange Offer" have not been satisfied or waived by us. We will notify
the exchange agent of any extension by oral notice promptly confirmed in writing
or by written notice. We will also notify the holders of the old notes by
mailing an announcement or by a press release or other public announcement
communicated before 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day
after the previously scheduled expiration date unless applicable laws require us
to do otherwise.
We also expressly reserve the right to amend the terms of this exchange
offer in any manner. If we make any material change, we will promptly disclose
this change in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the holders of our old
notes of the change including providing public announcement or giving
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oral or written notice to these holders. A material change in the terms of this
exchange offer could include a change in the timing of the exchange offer, a
change in the exchange agent and other similar changes in the terms of this
exchange offer. If we make any material change to this exchange offer, we will
disclose this change by means of a post-effective amendment to the registration
statement which includes this prospectus and will distribute an amended or
supplemented prospectus to each registered holder of old notes. In addition, we
will extend this exchange offer for an additional five to ten business days as
required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, depending on the significance
of the amendment, if the exchange offer would otherwise expire during that
period. We will promptly notify the exchange agent by oral notice, promptly
confirmed in writing, or written notice of any delay in acceptance, extension,
termination or amendment of this exchange offer.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD NOTES
PROPER EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL
To tender your old notes in this exchange offer, you must use ONE OF THE
THREE alternative procedures described below:
(1) REGULAR DELIVERY PROCEDURE: Complete, sign and date the letter of
transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal. Have the
signatures on the letter of transmittal guaranteed if required by the
letter of transmittal. Mail or otherwise deliver the letter of
transmittal or the facsimile together with the certificates representing
the old notes being tendered and any other required documents to the
exchange agent on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
expiration date.
(2) BOOK-ENTRY DELIVERY PROCEDURE: Send a timely confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of your old notes, if this procedure is available,
into the exchange agent's account at The Depository Trust Company
pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer described under
"--Book-Entry Delivery Procedure" below, on or before 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the expiration date.
(3) GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURE: If time will not permit you to complete
your tender by using the procedures described in (1) or (2) above before
the expiration date, comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures
described under "--Guaranteed Delivery Procedure" below.
The method of delivery of the old notes, the letter of transmittal and all
other required documents is at your election and risk. Instead of delivery by
mail, we recommend that you use an overnight or hand-delivery service. If you
choose the mail, we recommend that you use registered mail, properly insured,
with return receipt requested. In all cases, YOU SHOULD ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO
ASSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. You should not send any letters of transmittal or old
notes to us. You must deliver all documents to the exchange agent at its address
provided below. You may also request your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust
company or nominee to tender your old notes on your behalf.
Only a holder of old notes may tender old notes in this exchange offer. A
holder is any person in whose name old notes are registered on our books or any
other person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the
registered holder.
If you are the beneficial owner of old notes that are registered in the name
of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you
wish to tender your notes, you must contact this registered holder promptly and
instruct this registered holder to tender these notes on your behalf. If you
wish to tender these notes on your own behalf, you must, before completing and
executing the letter of transmittal and delivering your old notes, either make
appropriate arrangements to register the ownership of these notes in your name
or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder. The
transfer of registered ownership may take considerable time.
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You must have any signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of
withdrawal guaranteed by:
(1) a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
(2) a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in
the United States, or
(3) an eligible guarantor institution within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
UNLESS the old notes are tendered:
(1) by a registered holder or by a participant in The Depository Trust
Company whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner,
who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or
"Special Delivery Instructions" on the letter of transmittal and only if
the exchange notes are being issued directly to this registered holder or
deposited into this participant's account at The Depository Trust
Company, or
(2) for the account of a member firm of a registered national securities
exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the
United States or an eligible guarantor institution within the meaning of
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
If the letter of transmittal or any bond powers are signed by:
(1) The recordholder(s) of the old notes tendered: the signature must
correspond with the name(s) written on the face of the old notes without
alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
(2) A participant in The Depository Trust Company: the signature must
correspond with the name as it appears on the security position listing
as the holder of the old notes.
(3) A person other than the registered holder of any old notes: these old
notes must be endorsed or accompanied by bond powers and a proxy that
authorize this person to tender the old notes on behalf of the registered
holder, in satisfactory form to us as determined in our sole discretion,
in each case, as the name of the registered holder or holders appears on
the old notes.
(4) Trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity: these persons should so indicate when signing.
Unless waived by us, evidence satisfactory to us of their authority to so
act must also be submitted with the letter of transmittal.
To effectively tender notes through The Depository Trust Company, the
financial institution that is a participant in The Depository Trust Company will
electronically transmit its acceptance through the Automatic Tender Offer
Program. The Depository Trust will then edit and verify the acceptance and send
an agent's message to the exchange agent for its acceptance. An agent's message
is a message transmitted by The Depository Trust Company to the exchange agent
stating that The Depository Trust Company has received an express acknowledgment
from the participant in The Depository Trust Company tendering the notes that
this participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter
of transmittal, and that we may enforce this agreement against this participant.
BOOK-ENTRY DELIVERY PROCEDURE
Any financial institution that is a participant in The Depository Trust
Company's systems may make book-entry deliveries of old notes by causing The
Depository Trust Company to transfer these old notes into the exchange agent's
account at The Depository Trust Company in accordance with The Depository Trust
Company's procedures for transfer. To effectively tender notes through The
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Depository Trust Company, the financial institution that is a participant in The
Depository Trust Company will electronically transmit its acceptance through the
Automatic Tender Offer Program. The Depository Trust Company will then edit and
verify the acceptance and send an agent's message to the exchange agent for its
acceptance. An agent's message is a message transmitted by The Depository Trust
Company to the exchange agent stating that The Depository Trust Company has
received an express acknowledgment from the participant in The Depository Trust
Company tendering the notes that this participation has received and agrees to
be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal, and that we may enforce this
agreement against this participant. The exchange agent will make a request to
establish an account for the old notes at The Depository Trust Company for
purposes of the exchange offer within two business days after the date of this
prospectus.
A delivery of old notes through a book-entry transfer into the exchange
agent's account at The Depository Trust Company will only be effective if an
agent's message or the letter of transmittal or a facsimile of the letter of
transmittal with any required signature guarantees and any other required
documents is transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at the address
indicated below under "--Exchange Agent" on or before the expiration date unless
the guaranteed delivery procedures described below are complied with. DELIVERY
OF DOCUMENTS TO THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURE
If you are a registered holder of old notes and desire to tender your notes,
and (1) these notes are not immediately available, (2) time will not permit your
notes or other required documents to reach the exchange agent before the
expiration date, or (3) the procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be
completed on a timely basis and an agent's message delivered, you may still
tender in this exchange offer if:
(1) you tender through a member firm of a registered national securities
exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the
United States, or an eligible guarantor institution within the meaning of
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
(2) on or before the expiration date, the exchange agent receives a properly
completed and duly executed letter of transmittal or facsimile of the
letter of transmittal, and a notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially
in the form provided by us, with your name and address as holder of the
old notes and the amount of notes tendered, stating that the tender is
being made by this letter and notice and guaranteeing that within five
business days after the expiration date the certificates for all the old
notes tendered, in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation
with an agent's message, as the case may be, and any other documents
required by the letter of transmittal will be deposited by the eligible
institution with the exchange agent, and
(3) the certificates for all your tendered old notes in proper form for
transfer or a book-entry confirmation as the case may be, and all other
documents required by the letter of transmittal are received by the
exchange agent within five business days after the expiration date.
ACCEPTANCE OF OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF EXCHANGE NOTES
Your tender of old notes will constitute an agreement between you and us
governed by the terms and conditions provided in this prospectus and in the
letter of transmittal.
We will be deemed to have received your tender and consent as of the date
when your duly signed letter of transmittal accompanied by your old notes
tendered, or a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of these notes into
the exchange agent's account at The Depository Trust Company with an
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agent's message, or a notice of guaranteed delivery from an eligible institution
is received by the exchange agent.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, including time of
receipt, acceptance and withdrawal tenders will be determined by us in our sole
discretion. Our determination will be final and binding.
We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all old notes not properly
tendered or any old notes which, if accepted, would, in our opinion or our
counsel's opinion, be unlawful. We also reserve the absolute right to waive any
conditions of this exchange offer or irregularities or defects in tender as to
particular notes. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of this
exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be
final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities
in connection with tenders of old notes must be cured within such time as we
shall determine. We, the exchange agent or any other person will be under no
duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders
of old notes. We and the exchange agent or any other person will incur no
liability for any failure to give notification of these defects or
irregularities. Tenders of old notes will not be deemed to have been made until
such irregularities have been cured or waived. The exchange agent will return
without cost to their holders any old notes that are not properly tendered and
as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived as
promptly as practicable following the expiration date.
If all the conditions to the exchange offer are satisfied or waived on the
expiration date, we will accept all old notes properly tendered and will issue
the exchange notes promptly thereafter. Please refer to the section of this
prospectus entitled "--Conditions to the Exchange Offer" below. For purposes of
this exchange offer, old notes will be deemed to have been accepted as validly
tendered for exchange when, as and if we give oral or written notice of
acceptance to the exchange agent.
We will issue the exchange notes in exchange for the old notes tendered
pursuant to a notice of guaranteed delivery by an eligible institution only
against delivery to the exchange agent of the letter of transmittal, the
tendered old notes and any other required documents, or the receipt by the
exchange agent of a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of old notes
into the exchange agent's account at The Depository Trust Company with an
agent's message, in each case, in form satisfactory to us and the exchange
agent.
If any tendered old notes are not accepted for any reason provided by the
terms and conditions of this exchange offer or if old notes are submitted for a
greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, the unaccepted or
non-exchanged old notes will be returned without expense to the tendering
holder, or, in the case of old notes tendered by book-entry transfer procedures
described below, will be credited to an account maintained with the book-entry
transfer facility, as promptly as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of
tender or the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.
We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to transfer or assign to any
person, in whole or from time to time in part, any old note beneficially owned
by it following this exchange offer. No transfer or assignment will relieve us
of our obligations under this exchange offer.
By tendering into this exchange offer, you will irrevocably appoint our
designees as your attorney-in-fact and proxy with full power of substitution and
resubstitution to the full extent of your rights on the notes tendered. This
proxy will be considered coupled with an interest in the tendered notes. This
appointment will be effective only when, and to the extent that we accept your
notes in this exchange offer. All prior proxies on these notes will then be
revoked and you will not be entitled to give any subsequent proxy. Any proxy
that you may give subsequently will not be deemed effective. Our designees will
be empowered to exercise all voting and other rights of the holders as they may
deem proper at any meeting of note holders or otherwise. The old notes will be
validly tendered only if we are able to exercise full voting rights on the
notes, including voting at any meeting of the note holders, and full rights to
consent to any action taken by the note holders.
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WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw tenders of
old notes at any time before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration
date. A withdrawal of your tendered old notes will be deemed a revocation of
your consent to the indenture amendments with respect to which the tendered old
notes relate.
For a withdrawal to be effective, you must send a written or facsimile
transmission notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent before 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the expiration date at the address provided below under
"--Exchange Agent" and before acceptance of your tendered notes for exchange by
us.
Any notice of withdrawal must:
(1) specify the name of the person having tendered the old notes to be
withdrawn,
(2) identify the notes to be withdrawn, including, if applicable, the
registration number or numbers and total principal amount of these notes,
(3) be signed by the person having tendered the old notes to be withdrawn in
the same manner as the original signature on the letter of transmittal by
which these notes were tendered, including any required signature
guarantees, or be accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to
permit the trustee for the old notes to register the transfer of these
notes into the name of the person having made the original tender and
withdrawing the tender,
(4) specify the name in which any of these old notes are to be registered,
if this name is different from that of the person having tendered the old
notes to be withdrawn, and
(5) if applicable because the old notes have been tendered though the
book-entry procedure, specify the name and number of the participant's
account at The Depository Trust Company to be credited, if different than
that of the person having tendered the old notes to be withdrawn.
We will determine all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility,
including time of receipt, of all notices of withdrawal and our determination
will be final and binding on all parties. Old notes that are withdrawn will be
deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange in this exchange offer.
The exchange agent will return without cost to their holders all old notes
that have been tendered for exchange and are not exchanged for any reason, as
promptly as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or expiration or
termination of this exchange offer.
You may retender properly withdrawn old notes in this exchange offer by
following one of the procedures described under "--Procedures for Tendering Old
Notes" above at any time on or before the expiration date.
CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
We will complete this exchange offer only if:
(1) there is no action or proceeding instituted or threatened in any court
or before any governmental agency or body that in our judgment would
reasonably be expected to prohibit, prevent or otherwise impair our
ability to proceed with this exchange offer,
(2) there is no change in the laws and regulations which, in our judgment,
would reasonably be expected to impair our ability to proceed with this
exchange offer,
(3) there is no change in the current interpretation of the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission which permits resales of the exchange
notes,
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(4) there is no stop order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission
or any state securities authority suspending the effectiveness of the
registration statement which includes this prospectus or the
qualification of the indenture for our exchange notes under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 and there are no proceedings initiated or, to our
knowledge, threatened for that purpose, and
(5) we obtain all governmental approvals that we deem in our sole discretion
necessary to complete this exchange offer.
These conditions are for our sole benefit. We may assert any one of them
regardless of the circumstances giving rise to it and may also waive any one of
them, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, if we determine in
our reasonable discretion that it has not been satisfied, subject to applicable
law. We will not be deemed to have waived our rights to assert or waive these
conditions if we fail at any time to exercise any of them. Each of these rights
will be deemed an ongoing right which we may assert at any time and from time to
time.
If we determine that we may terminate this exchange offer because any of
these conditions is not satisfied, we may:
(1) refuse to accept and return to their holders any old notes that have
been tendered,
(2) extend the exchange offer and retain all notes tendered before the
expiration date, subject to the rights of the holders of these notes to
withdraw their tenders, or
(3) waive any condition that has not been satisfied and accept all properly
tendered notes that have not been withdrawn or otherwise amend the terms
of this exchange offer in any respect as provided under the section in
this prospectus entitled "--Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments;
Termination."
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
We will record the exchange notes at the same carrying value as the old
notes as reflected in our accounting records on the date of the exchange.
Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes. We
will amortize the costs of the exchange offer and the unamortized expenses
related to the issuance of the exchange notes over the term of the exchange
notes.
EXCHANGE AGENT
We have appointed U.S. Bank Trust National Association as exchange agent for
this exchange offer. You should direct all questions and requests for assistance
on the procedures for tendering and all requests for additional copies of this
prospectus or the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent as follows:
By mail or by hand/overnight delivery:
U.S. Bank Trust National Association
180 East 5th Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
Attention: Specialized Finance Department
Facsimile Transmission: (651) 244-1537
Confirm by Telephone: (800) 934-6802
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FEES AND EXPENSES
We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders in this exchange offer,
including fees and expenses of the exchange agent and trustee and accounting,
legal, printing and related fees and expenses.
We will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or other persons
soliciting acceptances of this exchange offer. However, we will pay the exchange
agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse the
exchange agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this
exchange offer. We will also pay brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees
and fiduciaries their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding copies of
the prospectus, letters of transmittal and related documents to the beneficial
owners of the old and for handling or forwarding tenders for exchange to their
customers.
We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of old
notes pursuant to this exchange offer. However, tendering holders will pay the
amount of any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any
other persons, if:
(1) certificates representing exchange notes or old notes for principal
amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or
are to be registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the
registered holder of the notes tendered,
(2) tendered old notes are registered in the name of any person other than
the person signing the letter of transmittal, or
(3) a transfer tax is payable for any reason other than the exchange of the
old notes in this exchange offer.
If you do not submit satisfactory evidence of the payment of any of these
taxes or of any exemption from this payment with the letter of transmittal, we
will bill you directly the amount of these transfer taxes.
YOUR FAILURE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL HAVE ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES
The old notes were not registered under the Securities Act or under the
securities laws of any state and you may not resell them, offer them for resale
or otherwise transfer them unless they are subsequently registered or resold
under an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws. If you do not exchange your old notes for
exchange notes pursuant to this exchange offer, or if you do not properly tender
your old notes in this exchange offer, you will not be able to resell, offer to
resell or otherwise transfer the old notes unless they are registered under the
Securities Act or unless you resell them, offer to resell or otherwise transfer
them under an exemption from the registration requirements of, or in a
transaction not subject to, the Securities Act. In addition, you will no longer
be able to obligate us to register the old notes under the Securities Act.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
GENERAL
The form and terms of the exchange notes are the same as the form and terms
of the old notes, except that the exchange notes have been registered under the
Securities Act, will not bear legends restricting their transfer and will not be
entitled to registration rights. You should carefully read the following
description of the exchange notes.
We will issue the exchange notes under the indenture with U.S. Bank Trust
National Association, as trustee. The terms of the exchange notes will include
those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference
to the Trust Indenture Act. The following description of the terms of the
exchange notes does not restate the indenture or the Trust Indenture Act in
their entirety. You should read the indenture and the Trust Indenture Act
because they, and not this description, will define your rights as a holder of
exchange notes. We have filed copies of the indenture as an exhibit to the
registration statement which includes this prospectus.
We use certain capitalized terms in this description which we define below
in the section entitled "--Certain Definitions." Throughout this description,
the term Metromedia International Group refers only to Metromedia International
Group, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries.
Only Restricted Subsidiaries will be bound by the restrictive covenants of
the indenture for the exchange notes. These covenants will not apply to our
Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Please refer to the section in this prospectus
entitled "--Certain Covenants." Under certain circumstances, we will be able to
designate existing or future Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries. On the
date of this prospectus, there are [ ] Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
TERMS OF THE NOTES
FORM OF THE NOTES
We will issue the exchange notes in fully registered form, without interest
coupon, in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and any integral multiple of
$1,000 principal amount. The notes will be represented by one or more registered
notes in global form and in certain circumstances may be represented by notes in
definitive certificated form. Please refer to the section in this prospectus
entitled "--Book Entry, Delivery and Form."
MATURITY DATE
The notes will mature on , 2007.
INTEREST RATE
We will issue the notes at a discount to their aggregate principal amount at
maturity. The notes will accrete in value until , 2002, 2 1/2 years from
the old notes' issue date, at the rate of 10 1/2% per year, compounded
semi-annually, to an aggregate principal amount of $1,291.55 per note on ,
2002, 2 1/2 years from the old notes' issue date. The notes will not accrue
interest in cash before , 2002, 2 1/2 years from the old notes'
issue date. After this date, the notes will pay interest at the rate of 10 1/2%
per year, payable semi-annually in cash and in arrears to the holders of record
on or immediately preceding the interest payment date on
and of each year, commencing , 2002, 3 years from
the old notes' issue date. All references to the principal amount of the notes
in this description are references to the principal amount of these notes at
final maturity.
We will compute the interest on the notes on the basis of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve 30-day months.
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We will pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes at
our office or agency located in the Borough of Manhattan, in the city of New
York. Initially, this office will be the corporate trust office of the trustee
in the city of New York. You will also be able to exchange or register the
transfer of your notes at this office. At our option, we may also pay interest
by check mailed to you as a holder at the address indicated for you in our note
register. We will not charge you any service charge for any registration of
transfer or exchange of your notes but may require you to pay a sum sufficient
to cover any transfer taxes or other similar governmental charges payable in
connection with this transfer.
RANKING
The notes will:
(1) be general senior unsecured obligations of Metromedia International
Group,
(2) rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future indebtedness
of Metromedia International Group that ranks junior in right of payment
to the notes,
(3) rank equal in right of payment to all existing and future indebtedness
of Metromedia International Group that ranks equal in right of payment to
the notes,
(4) be effectively junior in right of payment to all existing and future
secured indebtedness and liabilities of Metromedia International Group,
(5) not be guaranteed by any of our Subsidiaries, and
(6) be effectively junior in right of payment to any of our Subsidiaries'
existing or future indebtedness, whether or not secured.
At March 31, 1999, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the issuance
of the old notes, Metromedia International Group and its Restricted Subsidiaries
would have had $76.7 million of indebtedness outstanding, other than the notes.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
We will not be able to redeem the notes before , 2002, 2 1/2 years
from the old notes' issue date. We will be able to redeem the notes at any time
thereafter, at our sole option, in whole or in part. If we exercise this right,
we will redeem your notes at a redemption price equal to their principal amount,
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of
redemption. The holders of record on a record date for the payment of interest
will however retain the right to receive the interest due on the interest
payment date on the notes redeemed.
If we decide to redeem the notes in part only, the trustee will select the
notes to be redeemed on a pro rata basis, by lot or by any other method as the
trustee in its sole discretion will deem to be fair and appropriate. No note of
$1,000 in principal amount or less will be redeemed in part. If any note is
redeemed in part only, we will indicate in the notice of redemption for this
note the portion of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed. We will
then cancel the original note and issue to the holder a new note in principal
amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original note.
The notes will not have the benefit of any sinking fund.
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CHANGE OF CONTROL
If a change of control of Metromedia International Group occurs, each holder
of notes will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part of his
or her notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to:
(1) In the case of a repurchase of notes before , 2002: 101% of
the accreted value of the notes, to the date of repurchase, or
(2) In the case of a repurchase of notes after , 2002: 101% of
the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the date of repurchase.
Notwithstanding the above, the interest due on a given interest payment date
on notes being repurchased will be payable to the holder of record of these
notes on the record date for this interest payment date.
A change of control of Metromedia International Group will occur for
purposes of the indenture only upon:
(1) the sale, lease, exchange or other transfer other than by way of merger
or consolidation, in one or a series of related transactions, by
Metromedia International Group of all or substantially all of the assets
of Metromedia International Group and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken
as a whole to any person within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, other than a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary,
(2) a merger or consolidation in which the shareholders of Metromedia
International Group immediately before the merger or consolidation do not
hold a majority of the voting power of Metromedia International Group
immediately after the merger or consolidation,
(3) any person within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, other than one or more permitted
holders, becoming the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more
than 50% of the total voting power of all classes of Voting Stock of
Metromedia International Group or its successor; for purposes of this
definition, the permitted holders are Metromedia Company, its Related
Parties and any Person controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with, Metromedia Company,
(4) the first day on which a majority of the members of the board of
directors of Metromedia International Group are not continuing directors;
for purposes of this definition, the continuing directors are (i) the
persons that serve as directors on the board of directors of Metromedia
International Group on the date of issuance of the old notes and (ii) any
other person nominated to serve as director on the board of directors by
the persons referred to in clause (i); provided that continuing directors
shall not include the persons nominated by News America Incorporated to
serve as directors under our agreement to merge with PLD Telekom, or
(5) the liquidation or dissolution of, or the adoption by the stockholders
of a plan for the liquidation or dissolution of, Metromedia International
Group, other than in a transaction which complies with the "Certain
Covenants--Merger and Consolidation" covenant described below.
A change of control of Metromedia International Group will not occur however
for purposes of the indenture upon the sale, disposition or other transfer in
one or a series of related transactions of all or substantially all of the
assets or Voting Stock of our subsidiary Snapper, Inc. or all or any portion of
the PLD Assets. Any sale, disposition or other transfer of any of the PLD Assets
will be governed only by the "Certain Covenants--Limitation on Sales of Assets"
covenant described below.
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Beneficial ownership in this change of control definition has the meaning
given to this term in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, except that a person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all
shares that this person has the right to acquire, whether this right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time.
Within 30 days following any change of control event described above, we
will mail a notice to each holder of notes with a copy to the trustee stating:
(1) that a change of control has occurred and that the holder has the right
to require us to repurchase his or her notes at the repurchase price
indicated above,
(2) the date of the repurchase, which will be no earlier than 30 days nor
later than 60 days from the date the change of control notice is mailed,
and
(3) the procedures that we determine will have to be followed by the holders
of notes to have their notes repurchased.
We will comply with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and any other securities laws or regulations that apply in
connection with the repurchase of notes upon a change of control. If the
provisions of any applicable securities laws or regulations conflict with the
indenture for the notes, we will comply with these securities laws and
regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the
indenture by virtue of complying with these laws and regulations.
The rights afforded to holders of notes upon a change of control of
Metromedia International Group may have negative consequences or involve certain
risks, including:
(1) Our future indebtedness may contain prohibitions of certain events that
would constitute a change of control under the indenture for the notes or
require this indebtedness to be repurchased upon a change of control.
Moreover, the exercise by the holders of their right to require us to
repurchase their notes could cause a default under this indebtedness,
even if the change of control itself does not, due to the financial
effect of this repurchase on Metromedia International Group.
(2) Our ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited
by our then existing financial resources. We cannot assure you that we
will have sufficient funds available when necessary to make any required
purchases.
(3) The provisions of the indenture may not afford holders of the notes the
right to require us to repurchase their notes in the event of a highly
leveraged transaction that may adversely affect them if the transaction
does not qualify as a change of control under the indenture.
(4) These change of control provisions may deter certain mergers, tender
offers and takeover attempts involving Metromedia International Group by
increasing the capital required to effectuate these transactions.
(5) The definition of change of control includes a disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of Metromedia International Group and its
Restricted Subsidiaries. The meaning of the phrase "all or substantially
all" varies according to the facts and circumstances of the subject
transaction, has no clearly established meaning under New York law, which
is the choice of law under the indenture, and is subject to judicial
interpretation. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a
degree of uncertainty in ascertaining whether a particular transaction
would involve a disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
a person. Therefore it may be unclear as to whether a change of control
has occurred and whether Metromedia International Group is required to
make an offer to repurchase the notes as described above.
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CERTAIN COVENANTS
The indenture for the notes limits our ability to do the following:
LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS.
The indenture for the notes limits our ability to incur additional
indebtedness unless we satisfy a Consolidated Leverage Ratio.
Under the indenture, we may not, and may not permit any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any additional Indebtedness or
issue Disqualified Capital Stock. In addition, we will not permit any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Preferred Stock. The indenture
gives us and our Restricted Subsidiaries the ability to Incur additional
Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock only if on
the date of Incurrence or issuance, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio at the end
of our most recently completed fiscal quarter would be:
(1) equal to or less than 5.5 to 1.0 if before June 30, 2002, or
(2) less than 5.0 to 1.0 if on or after June 30, 2002.
The calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio must give effect, on a
pro forma basis, to the Incurrence of this additional Indebtedness, or issuance
of this additional Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock as if they had
been Incurred or issued at the beginning of the reference period and, to the
extent provided in the definition of Consolidated Leverage Ratio, to the use of
the proceeds from this Incurrence of Indebtedness, or issuance of Disqualified
Capital Stock or Preferred Stock.
However, except with respect to the PLD Companies, these limitations imposed
by the indenture do not prohibit:
(1) Existing Indebtedness of Metromedia International Group or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries,
(2) the Incurrence by Metromedia International Group or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness consisting of Capital Lease
Obligations, Purchase Money Obligations or other obligations Incurred for
the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price,
development, acquisition, construction or improvement of real or personal
property, tangible or intangible, used or to be used in a Related
Business including Capital Stock of a Person engaged in a Related
Business, or a Credit Facility or debt securities entered into for the
purpose of providing this financing, PROVIDED that this Indebtedness,
inclusive of the interest portion thereof and reasonable costs of
financing, does not exceed the lesser of the Fair Market Value or the
purchase price and related costs of design, development, acquisition,
construction or improvement of these assets or property at the time of
its Incurrence,
(3) the Incurrence by Metromedia International Group of Indebtedness in an
aggregate principal amount that may not exceed two (2) times the sum of
the Net Cash Proceeds that it receives after the date of the indenture in
connection with any Public Equity Offerings or sale of Capital Stock,
other than Disqualified Capital Stock, to any Strategic Investor to the
extent that these Net Cash Proceeds have not been used to make Restricted
Payments pursuant to paragraph (c)(ii) of the "--Limitation on Restricted
Payments" covenant or paragraph (2) of the list of permitted payments
under the "--Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant; PROVIDED that
this Indebtedness does not mature before the end of six months following
the Stated Maturity of the notes,
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(4) the Incurrence by Metromedia International Group or any of its
Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness entered into in the ordinary course of
business:
(a) pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements entered into to protect
Metromedia International Group or any of its Subsidiaries against
fluctuations in interest rates in respect of Indebtedness of
Metromedia International Group or any of its Subsidiaries so long as
the notional principal amount of these Interest Rate Agreements does
not exceed the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness then
outstanding to which these Interest Rate Agreements relate, or
(b) under any Currency Hedging Agreement entered into to protect
Metromedia International Group or any of its Subsidiaries against
fluctuations in the value of any currency and not for speculative
purposes,
(5) ordinary course performance bonds, letters of credit and appeal and
surety bonds entered into not in connection with borrowed money,
(6) inter-company Indebtedness owed to Metromedia International Group or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Guarantee by Metromedia
International Group or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any
Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under the indenture,
(7) the Incurrence by Metromedia International Group or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness so long as the
aggregate principal amount of this additional Indebtedness does not
exceed $200 million at any one time outstanding, and
(8) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of any Indebtedness permitted by
paragraphs (1) through (7) above.
In the event that Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the
types of Indebtedness described in the foregoing paragraphs (1) through (8)
above, we may, in our sole discretion, classify this item of Indebtedness as
having been Incurred under one of these paragraphs and, except as specifically
provided otherwise, will only be required to include the amount and type of this
Indebtedness as having been Incurred pursuant to this paragraph.
LIMITATION ON PLD INDEBTEDNESS.
Notwithstanding the restrictions under the "--Limitation on Indebtedness"
covenant described above, none of the PLD Companies are permitted to, directly
or indirectly, Incur any additional Indebtedness or any Guarantees of any
Indebtedness.
These limitations imposed by the indenture do not prohibit however:
(1) Existing Indebtedness of the PLD Companies,
(2) the Incurrence by the PLD Companies of Indebtedness consisting of
Capital Lease Obligations, Purchase Money Obligations or other
obligations Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the
purchase price, development, acquisition, construction or improvement of
real or personal property, tangible or intangible, used or to be used in
a Related Business other than any business specified in clause (5) of the
definition of Related Business, or a Credit Facility or debt securities
entered into for the purpose of providing this financing, PROVIDED that
this Indebtedness, inclusive of the interest portion of this Indebtedness
and reasonable costs of financing, does not exceed the lesser of the Fair
Market Value or the purchase price and related costs of design,
development, acquisition, construction or improvement of these assets or
property at the time of its Incurrence,
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(3) the Incurrence by the PLD Companies of any Indebtedness entered into in
the ordinary course of business:
(a) pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements entered into to protect the PLD
Companies against fluctuations in interest rates in respect of
Indebtedness of any of the PLD Companies so long as the notional
principal amount of these Interest Rate Agreements does not exceed
the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness then outstanding
to which these Interest Rate Agreements relate, or
(b) under any Currency Hedging Agreements entered into to protect the PLD
Companies against fluctuations in the value of any currency and not
for speculative purposes,
(4) ordinary course performance bonds, letters of credit and appeal and
surety bonds entered into not in connection with borrowed money,
(5) the Incurrence of Indebtedness between any of the PLD Companies or any
Guarantee by any PLD Company of any Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred
by any other PLD Company under the indenture,
(6) the Incurrence by the PLD Companies of additional Indebtedness so long
as the aggregate principal amount of this additional Indebtedness does
not exceed $25 million at any one time outstanding, and
(7) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of any Indebtedness permitted to be
incurred by paragraphs (1) through (6) above.
In the event that Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the
types of Indebtedness described in paragraphs (1) through (7) above, we may, in
our sole discretion, classify this item of Indebtedness as having been Incurred
under one of these paragraphs and, except as specifically provided otherwise,
will only be required to include the amount and type of this Indebtedness as
having been Incurred pursuant to this paragraph.
LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.
The indenture for the notes limits our ability to make certain payments and
other distributions in excess of certain amounts.
Under the indenture, we may not, and may not permit any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries to, make any of the following (each, a "Restricted Payment"):
(1) declare or pay any dividends on, or make any distribution on or in
respect of Capital Stock of Metromedia International Group or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, except for dividends or distributions payable
solely in Qualified Capital Stock or options, warrants or other rights to
acquire Qualified Capital Stock,
(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Capital
Stock of Metromedia International Group,
(3) make any principal payment on, or purchase, redeem, defease, retire or
otherwise acquire for value, before any scheduled principal payment or
maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness, or
(4) make any Investment in any Person
UNLESS, in each case and after giving effect to any Restricted Payment
described in paragraphs (1) through (4) above:
(a) no default or event of default under the indenture shall have occurred
and be continuing or would result from this Restricted Payment,
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(b) Metromedia International Group would be able to Incur at least $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio test
under the "--Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant described above, and
(c) on a pro forma basis, the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments
made on or after the date of issuance of the notes (the amount expended
for that purpose if other than in cash being the Fair Market Value of the
property) does not exceed, without duplication, the sum of:
(i) 100% of the Cumulative Consolidated Operating Cash Flow of
Metromedia International Group and its consolidated Subsidiaries
LESS a minority equity interest in this Consolidated Operating Cash
Flow in the event a minority interest has not already been deducted
from the Consolidated Operating Cash Flow LESS 150% of the
Cumulative Consolidated Interest Expense, PLUS
(ii) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received from the issue or sale of
Qualified Capital Stock or any options, warrants or rights to
purchase Qualified Capital Stock from Metromedia International
Group to the extent not utilized to Incur Indebtedness under
paragraph (3) of the exceptions to the "--Limitation on
Indebtedness" covenant described above, PLUS
(iii) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received upon the exercise of any
options, warrants or rights to purchase Qualified Capital Stock of
Metromedia International Group, PLUS
(iv) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received from the conversion or
exchange of debt securities or Disqualified Capital Stock into
Qualified Capital Stock of Metromedia International Group PLUS, to
the extent these debt securities or Disqualified Capital Stock were
issued after the date of issuance of the notes, the Net Cash
Proceeds from their original issuance; PLUS
(v) in the case of the disposition or repayment of any Investment
constituting a Restricted Payment, an amount equal to the lesser of
(x) the cash return of capital resulting from sale proceeds,
dividends, distributions, interest payments, return of capital or
principal, management fees or other transfers of assets to
Metromedia International Group or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
or (y) the initial amount of the Investment; LESS
(vi) amounts paid or payments made pursuant to any of paragraphs (2),
(3), (5) and (6) below.
The indenture does not prohibit however, so long as no default or event of
default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing or would be caused as
a result of these payments:
(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of
declaration, if on the date of its declaration, this dividend would have
complied with paragraph (c) above,
(2) the repurchase, redemption, or other acquisition or retirement for value
of any shares of any class of Qualified Capital Stock of Metromedia
International Group in exchange for, or out of the Net Cash Proceeds of,
a substantially concurrent sale of Qualified Capital Stock of Metromedia
International Group,
(3) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement, refinancing,
acquisition for value or payment of principal of any Subordinated
Indebtedness in exchange for, or out of the Net Cash Proceeds of, a
substantially concurrent sale of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness,
(4) the payment of any dividend or other distribution by a Restricted
Subsidiary of Metromedia International Group to holders of its Equity
Interests on a pro rata basis,
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(5) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value
of any Qualified Capital Stock of Metromedia International Group or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries held by a member of the management of
Metromedia International Group or of its Restricted Subsidiary, PROVIDED
that the aggregate amount of these repurchases in any calendar year does
not exceed $1 million in any twelve-month period, plus the aggregate cash
proceeds provided to Metromedia International Group during this period
from any reissuance of Qualified Capital Stock to management,
(6) Investments in any Person engaged, or to be engaged, principally in a
Related Business on the date of the Investment,
(7) Investments by Restricted Subsidiaries which are lessees or buyers of
Telecommunications Assets under Telecommunications Assets Agreements in
transactions in which the monetary consideration for these
Telecommunications Assets is paid immediately or is payable over time;
provided that these Investments are made as a sublease or installment
sale of the Telecommunications Assets subject to the Telecommunications
Asset Agreement to which the Restricted Subsidiary is party as lessee or
buyer,
(8) Payments made under any tax sharing agreement between or among
Metromedia International Group and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
(9) payments of dividends on Metromedia International Group's convertible
preferred stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15.1 million in any
calendar year, and
(10) payments to Metromedia Company and any of its Affiliates for reasonable
legal, tax, accounting, financial advisory and other management services
in the ordinary course of business, subject to the approval of the
disinterested members of the board of directors of Metromedia
International Group.
LIMITATION ON AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS.
The indenture for the notes limits our ability to engage in certain
transactions with our affiliates unless we satisfy certain conditions.
Under the indenture, we may not, and may not permit any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries to, enter into or conduct any transaction, including the purchase,
sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service, with
any Affiliate of Metromedia International Group (each, an "Affiliate
Transaction") UNLESS:
(1) the terms of this Affiliate Transaction are materially no less favorable
in the aggregate, to us or our Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be,
than those that would have been obtained at the time of the transaction
in a comparable transaction by Metromedia International Group or its
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, on an arm's-length basis with
a Person who is not an Affiliate, and
(2) we deliver to the trustee for the notes:
(a) in the event that an Affiliate Transaction or a series of related
Affiliate Transactions involves an aggregate amount in excess of $5
million, a resolution of the board of directors of Metromedia
International Group certifying that the terms of this transaction
comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) above and have been
approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the board of
directors, or
(b) in the event that an Affiliate Transaction or a series of related
Affiliate Transactions involves an aggregate amount in excess of $10
million, a written opinion from an investment banking firm as to the
fairness of this transaction, to Metromedia International Group or
the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be.
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These limitations imposed by the indenture do not prohibit however:
(1) compensation or employee benefit arrangements, in each case, in the
ordinary course of business,
(2) any transaction solely between Metromedia International Group and a
Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries,
(3) any transaction with a Person engaged in a Related Business that is an
Affiliate solely because we have, directly or indirectly, an Equity
Interest in this Person,
(4) the payment of reasonable and customary fees to members of the board of
directors of Metromedia International Group who are not employees of
Metromedia International Group,
(5) any sale of Equity Interests of Metromedia International Group, other
than Disqualified Capital Stock, to Affiliates of Metromedia
International Group,
(6) any transaction permitted under the covenant "--Limitation on Restricted
Payments,"
(7) advances to employees of Metromedia International Group or any of its
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount
not to exceed $2 million,
(8) any transaction with any officer or director of Metromedia International
Group or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business not
involving in excess of $100,000 in any one case and in an aggregate
amount not to exceed $2 million, and
(9) any Affiliate Transaction and any replacement of an Affiliate
Transaction in effect or approved by the board of directors of Metromedia
International Group at the time of the date of issuance of the old notes.
CREATION OF ADDITIONAL PLD ASSETS
Under the indenture, we agreed that from May 18, 1999 through the second
anniversary of the date of issuance of the old notes, at least $15.0 million of
additional PLD Assets that would be classified as "property and equipment" on
PLD Telekom's consolidated balance sheet will be acquired by one or more of the
PLD Companies. These assets are referred to as the "Additional PLD Assets."
In addition, to the extent we acquire Pivotel Assets or properties before
this date, without using Purchase Money Obligations, we will cause these assets
to become Additional PLD Assets.
LIMITATION ON LIENS.
The indenture for the notes limits our ability to incur liens or other
security interests with exceptions for certain permitted liens or security
interests.
Under the indenture, we may not, and may not permit any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur, assume, suffer to exist or
affirm any Lien of any kind upon any property or assets of Metromedia
International Group or any Restricted Subsidiary unless contemporaneously
therewith effective provision is made to secure the Indebtedness due under the
indenture and the notes equally and ratably with the Indebtedness secured by
this Lien with a Lien on the same properties and assets securing this
Indebtedness for so long as this Indebtedness is so secured.
These limitations imposed by the indenture will not prohibit us from
Incurring, assuming, suffering to exist or affirming any Permitted Liens or PLD
Company Permitted Liens.
In addition, none of the PLD Companies will, directly or indirectly, Incur,
assume, suffer to exist or affirm any Lien of any kind upon any PLD Asset,
unless contemporaneously therewith effective provision is made to secure the
Indebtedness due under the indenture and the notes equally and ratably with the
Indebtedness secured by this Lien with a Lien on the same properties and assets
securing this Indebtedness for so long as this Indebtedness is so secured. These
limitations will not prohibit any PLD Company from Incurring, assuming,
suffering to exist or affirming any PLD Company Permitted Liens.
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LIMITATION ON SALES OF ASSETS.
The indenture for the notes limits our ability to make sales of assets and
governs our use of the proceeds from any authorized asset sale.
Under the indenture, we may not, and may not permit any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries to engage in any Asset Sale UNLESS:
(1) we or our Restricted Subsidiaries receive consideration at least equal
to the Fair Market Value, including as to the value of all non-cash
consideration, of the assets subject to the Asset Sale, and
(2) at least 80% of the consideration that we or our Restricted Subsidiaries
receive from the Asset Sale is in the form of cash paid at the closing of
the transaction, marketable securities or comparable consideration.
For the purpose of this covenant, we will deem to be cash the assumption by
the transferee of Indebtedness of Metromedia International Group or of any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries as shown on their most recent balance sheet or in
the notes to the balance sheet, and the release of Metromedia International
Group and its Restricted Subsidiaries from all liability on this Indebtedness.
In addition, if we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries receive securities or
other noncash property or assets as proceeds of an Asset Sale, these securities
or other noncash proceeds will not be treated as Net Proceeds of an Asset Sale
unless and until we receive cash or Cash Equivalents from a sale, repayment,
exchange or other return of capital on, these securities or other noncash
properties and then, only to the extent of the cash received.
If we complete an Asset Sale involving PLD Assets other than
Telecommunications Assets subject to a Telecommunications Asset Agreement, we
will, after applying the net proceeds from this Asset Sale to repay and
permanently reduce other Existing Indebtedness that by its terms requires this
repayment from the proceeds of the Asset Sale, be required to use 50% of the Net
Proceeds from this Asset Sale to make an offer to repurchase the notes at a
repurchase price in cash equal to 100% of the accreted value of the notes on the
repurchase date if the repurchase date is before , 2002 or 100% of the
principal amount at maturity of the notes, plus accrued but unpaid interest, if
any, to the repurchase date if the repruchase date is after , 2002. We
will not, however, be required to make any offer to repurchase the notes in an
amount of less than $10 million. If 50% of the Net Proceeds from the Asset Sale
involving PLD Assets are less than $10 million, these Net Proceeds will
constitute excess proceeds. Once these excess proceeds exceed $10 million, we
will be required to use these excess proceeds to make an offer to repurchase the
notes at 100% of their accreted value if the repurchase date is before ,
2002 or 100% of the principal amount at maturity of the notes, plus accrued but
unpaid interest, if any, to the repurchase date if the repurchase date is after
, 2002.
We will be permitted to apply the Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale or the
remaining proceeds from an Asset Sale of PLD Assets following the offer to
purchase described above to:
(1) repay the notes, any Existing Indebtedness or any Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness of any Existing Indebtedness or any Indebtedness that is
equal in right of payment to the notes if required by the terms of this
Indebtedness, or
(2) reinvest in assets of a Related Business,
PROVIDED that:
(a) we apply the Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale involving PLD Assets
that remain after the offer to purchase described above, if any,
within 365 days of the completion of the Asset Sale, and
(b) we apply the Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale involving assets other
than PLD Assets within two years of the completion of the Asset Sale.
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The Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale that we do not use as indicated above
during the periods described above will become excess proceeds. Once these
excess proceeds exceed $10 million in the aggregate after application of the
proceeds as described above, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase
the notes. We will offer to repurchase the notes at a price in cash equal to
100% of the accreted value of the notes on the repurchase date before ,
2002, and 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the repurchase date if this date is after ,
2002. We will be allowed to use all Net Proceeds that remain after this offer
and any other use provided in this covenant for other general corporate purposes
not prohibited by the indenture for the notes. If the excess proceeds do not
exceed $10 million in the aggregate, this lesser amount will be carried forward
for purposes of determining whether an offer for the notes is required with
respect to the Net Proceeds from any subsequent Asset Sale.
If the aggregate principal amount or accreted value of the notes that are
validly tendered and not withdrawn in connection with a repurchase offer exceed
the funds available for this repurchase, the trustee for the notes will select
the notes that will be repurchased on a pro rata basis and make any adjustments
as may be deemed appropriate so that only notes in denominations of $1,000 or
integral multiples of $1,000 will be repurchased. Holders whose notes are
repurchased only in part will be issued new notes equal in principal amount at
maturity to the unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered.
If the aggregate repurchase price of the notes tendered pursuant to the
offer is less than the Net Proceeds allotted to the purchase of the notes, we
will apply the remaining Net Proceeds for other general corporate purposes not
prohibited by the indenture for the notes.
We will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section
14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other securities laws or
regulations in connection with the purchase of notes pursuant to the indenture.
If the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the
provisions of this covenant, we will comply with the applicable securities laws
and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under
the indenture by complying with these laws and regulations.
LIMITATION ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS.
The indenture for the notes limits our ability to engage in Sale and
Leaseback transactions.
Under the indenture, we may not, and may not permit any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into any Sale and Leaseback
Transaction of any of our properties or assets UNLESS:
(1) the consideration received at the time of the Sale and Leaseback
Transaction is at least equal to the Fair Market Value of these
properties or assets,
(2) the sale or transfer of the properties or assets to be leased is treated
as an Asset Sale and complies with the "--Limitation on Sales of Assets"
covenant above, and
(3) we or our Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to Incur additional
Indebtedness under the "--Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant above.
The limitations imposed by the indenture will not prohibit any Sale and
Leaseback Transaction if:
(1) the lease is for a period, including renewal rights, not in excess of
three years,
(2) the transaction is solely between Metromedia International Group and any
Restricted Subsidiary or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any other
Restricted Subsidiary, and
(3) the transaction is completed within 180 days of the acquisition by
Metromedia International Group or any of its Subsidiaries of the
properties or assets or entered into within 180 days after the purchase
or substantial completion of the construction of the properties or assets
or 270 days in the event that the only condition delaying the completion
of the purchase or the completion of the construction is the receipt of
applicable regulatory approvals.
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LIMITATION ON RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS FROM RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.
The indenture for the notes does not allow us to create or cause or suffer
to exist or become effective encumbrances or restrictions on the ability of our
Restricted Subsidiaries to make distributions to us.
Under the indenture, we may not, and may not permit our Restricted
Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary to:
(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions to us or any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other
interests or participation in, or measured by, its profits,
(2) pay any Indebtedness owed to us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries,
or
(3) sell, lease or otherwise transfer any of its properties or assets to us
or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries.
However, these limitations imposed by the indenture do not prohibit the
creation or existence of any encumbrance or restrictions under:
(1) Existing Indebtedness of Metromedia International Group and its
Subsidiaries,
(2) any applicable laws and regulations,
(3) any agreement in effect at the time of the acquisition of any Person by
Metromedia International Group or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
which agreement was not entered into in connection with, as a result of,
or in anticipation of, this acquisition,
(4) any agreement entered into in connection with Permitted Liens,
(5) any agreement for the sale of assets, or
(6) any agreement that extends, renews, refinances or replaces the
agreements containing the encumbrances or restrictions in paragraphs (1)
through (5) above, provided that these provisions are no less favorable
to Metromedia International Group.
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MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION.
The indenture for the notes limits our ability to engage in certain mergers,
consolidations or other business combinations.
Under the indenture, we may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate with or
merge with or into, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to, any Person, UNLESS:
(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person is Metromedia
International Group or a corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the United States of America, any state of the United States of
America or the District of Columbia,
(2) the surviving entity expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture
executed and delivered to the trustee for the notes, in form reasonably
satisfactory to the trustee, all of our obligations under the notes and
the indenture for the notes,
(3) except for a transaction with a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, immediately
after giving effect to this consolidation, merger or transfer, the
surviving entity would be able to Incur at least an additional $1.00 of
Indebtedness under the Consolidated Leverage Ratio test contained in the
"--Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant above,
(4) we shall have delivered to the trustee for the notes an Officers'
Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the
consolidation, merger or transfer and the supplemental indenture, if any,
comply with the indenture for the notes, and
(5) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to this
consolidation, merger or transfer, no default or event of default under
the indenture has occurred and is continuing.
The surviving entity will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may
exercise every right and power of, Metromedia International Group under the
indenture for the notes. However, in the case of a lease of all or substantially
all of our assets, we will not be released from the obligation to pay the
principal of and interest on the notes.
Notwithstanding the above, any of our Restricted Subsidiaries may
consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and
assets to Metromedia International Group or one of its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries
if this transaction involves no other parties either directly or indirectly. We
may also merge with an Affiliate with no Indebtedness incorporated solely for
the purpose of reincorporating in another jurisdiction in the United States of
America, any state of the United States of America or the District of Columbia
to realize tax or other benefits.
For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer, by assignment, sale or
otherwise, of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or
more Subsidiaries, our interest in which constitutes all or substantially all of
our properties and assets, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or
substantially all of our properties and assets.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
We will be in default under the indenture for the notes if:
(1) we fail to make a payment of interest on any note when due for 30 days,
(2) we fail to pay the principal of any note when due at its Stated
Maturity, upon optional redemption, a required repurchase, declaration or
otherwise,
(3) we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries fail to comply with our
obligations under the "Certain Covenants--Merger and Consolidation"
covenant above,
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(4) we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries fail to comply for 30 days
after receiving notice from the holders of the notes with any of our
obligations under the covenants described under "Change of Control" or
under "Certain Covenants" above, in each case, other than a failure to
purchase notes which will constitute an event of default under paragraph
(2) above,
(5) we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries fail to comply for 60 days
after receiving notice from the holders of the notes with our other
agreements contained in the indenture for the notes,
(6) we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries fail to pay, waive or cure the
failure to pay any Indebtedness within any applicable grace period after
final maturity or this Indebtedness is accelerated by its holders because
of a default and the total amount of this Indebtedness unpaid or
accelerated exceeds $15.0 million (the "cross acceleration provision"),
(7) we or any Significant Subsidiary become bankrupt or insolvent or enter
into a reorganization (the "bankruptcy provisions"), or
(8) any final judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $15.0
million net of applicable insurance coverage provided that the insurance
carriers have acknowledged coverage is rendered against us or a
Significant Subsidiary and remains unvacated, undischarged or unstayed
for a period of 60 days after this judgment becomes final and
non-appealable (the "judgment default provision").
We will not be deemed in default under paragraphs (4) and (5) until the
trustee for the notes or the holders of more than 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding notes notify us of the default and we do not cure this
default within the time specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) after receipt of
this notice.
If we are in default under the indenture, the trustee for the notes or the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes
may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the
notes to be immediately due and payable by sending us and the trustee a notice
of acceleration. The principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
or, if before , 2002, the accreted value of the notes, will be due and
payable immediately. No notice of acceleration will be required to accelerate
the payment on the notes if the event of default relates to certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. The acceleration will be automatic for
these events. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes may rescind this
acceleration and its consequences.
If we are in default under the indenture, the trustee will generally have no
obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the
request or direction of any of the holders unless these holders have offered to
the trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss, liability or
expense. Holders may enforce directly their right to receive payment of
principal, accreted value or interest when due on their notes. However, holders
may not pursue directly any remedy with respect to any other rights under the
indenture or the notes UNLESS:
(1) the holders have previously given the trustee notice that an event of
default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing,
(2) holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
notes have requested the trustee to pursue the remedy,
(3) these holders have offered the trustee reasonable security or indemnity
against any loss, liability or expense,
(4) the trustee has not complied with these holders' request within 60 days
after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity,
and
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(5) the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding notes have not given the trustee a direction that, in the
opinion of the trustee, is inconsistent with their request within this
60-day period.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes
have the right, under certain circumstances, to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or of
exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee. The trustee, however,
may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or
that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other
holder or that would involve the trustee in personal liability. Before taking
any action under the indenture, the trustee will be entitled to indemnification
satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused
by taking or not taking this action.
If the trustee knows that a default has occurred and is continuing, the
trustee must mail to each holder a notice of the default within 90 days after it
occurs. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of or
interest on any notes, the trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a
committee of its trust officers in good faith determines that withholding notice
is in the interest of the holders. In addition, we are required to deliver to
the trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year a certificate
indicating whether we know of any default under the indenture that occurred
during the previous year. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within
30 days after their occurrence, written notice of any events which would
constitute certain defaults, their status and what action we are taking or
propose to take in respect of these defaults.
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
We may amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding. Any past default or
failure to comply with any provisions of the indenture may be waived with the
consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes
then outstanding.
We need the consent of each holder of a note affected to amend the indenture
to:
(1) reduce the principal amount of notes whose holders must consent to an
amendment to the indenture,
(2) reduce the stated rate of or extend the stated time for payment of
interest on any note,
(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any note,
(4) make any note payable in money other than that stated in the note,
(5) impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of and
interest on his or her notes on or after the due dates for these payments
or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with
respect to his or her notes,
(6) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder's
consent or in the waiver provisions, or
(7) cause the notes to be junior in right of payment to any other
Indebtedness.
We do not need any holder's consent to amend the indenture to:
(1) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency,
(2) provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations
of Metromedia International Group under the indenture in accordance with
the terms of the indenture,
(3) provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of
certificated notes,
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(4) secure the notes,
(5) add to the covenants of Metromedia International Group for the benefit
of the holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon Metromedia
International Group,
(6) make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder,
or
(7) comply with any requirement of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939.
We do not need the consent of the holders to approve the particular form of
any proposed amendment. The holders will only need to consent to the substance
of the proposed amendment. We will notify the holders of any amendment to the
indenture after if has become effective and will briefly describe the amendment
in the notice. However, our failure to give this notice to all the holders or
any defect in the notice will not impair or affect the validity of the
amendment.
DEFEASANCE
We may terminate almost all of our obligations under the notes and the
indenture through legal defeasance or terminate our obligations under the
covenants for the notes and the indenture through covenant defeasance.
Under a legal defeasance, we may terminate all of our obligations except for
our obligations:
(1) with respect to the defeasance trust,
(2) to register the transfer or exchange of notes,
(3) to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes, and
(4) to maintain a registrar and paying agent for the notes.
Under a covenant defeasance, we may terminate our obligations under:
(1) all the covenants described in the covenant section above, except our
merger and consolidation covenant,
(2) the operation of the cross acceleration provision,
(3) the bankruptcy provision of the indenture with respect to Significant
Subsidiaries,
(4) the judgment default provision described under "Events of Default"
above, and
(5) the limitations contained in paragraph (4) under "Certain
Covenants--Merger and Consolidation" above.
We will be able to exercise the legal defeasance option notwithstanding our
prior exercise of the covenant defeasance option. If we exercise the legal
defeasance option, holders will not be able to accelerate the payment of the
notes because of an event of default. If we exercise the covenant defeasance
option, holders will not be able to accelerate the payment of the notes because
of an event of default specified in paragraphs (4), (5), (6) and (7) (with
respect only to Significant Subsidiaries), or (8) under "Events of Default"
above or because of our failure to comply with paragraph (3) under "Certain
Covenants--Merger and Consolidation" above.
We must irrevocably deposit in a defeasance trust with the trustee money or
U.S. government obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest on the notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, in order to
exercise either defeasance options. We must also comply with certain other
conditions including the delivery to the trustee of an opinion of counsel to the
effect that holders of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of this deposit and defeasance and will
be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the
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same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if this deposit
and defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance only, this
opinion of counsel will have to be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue
Service or other change in applicable federal income tax law.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
U.S. Bank Trust National Association is serving as trustee for the notes. We
have also appointed U.S. Bank Trust National Association to serve as registrar
and paying agent for the notes.
GOVERNING LAW
The laws of the State of New York govern the indenture and the notes.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
"AFFILIATE" of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or
indirectly, controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with this specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
when used with respect to any Person means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or
policies of this Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
agreement or otherwise; and the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under
common control with" have the meanings correlative to the foregoing; provided,
that the ability to vote 10% or more of the Voting Stock of this Person will
constitute "control" under the indenture.
"ASSET SALE" means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease or other
disposition, directly or indirectly, in one or a series of transactions, of:
(1) any Capital Stock of any Subsidiary,
(2) all or substantially all of the properties and assets of any division or
line of business of Metromedia International Group or its Subsidiaries,
or
(3) any other properties and assets of Metromedia International Group or any
of its Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business.
The term "ASSET SALE" however will not include any sale or transfer of
properties and assets (i) by Metromedia International Group to any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or by any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to Metromedia
International Group or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) that constitute
obsolete equipment in the ordinary course of business, (iii) the Fair Market
Value of which in the aggregate does not exceed $10 million in any transaction
or series of related transactions, (iv) that is made in accordance with the
provisions under the "--Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant above, (v)
which constitutes the granting of any Permitted Lien or (vi) that are
transferred in exchange for Related Assets.
"ATTRIBUTABLE INDEBTEDNESS" means with respect to any Sale and Leaseback
Transaction of any Person, as at the time of determination, the greater of (i)
the capitalized amount in respect of such transaction that would appear on the
balance sheet of such Person in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and (ii) the present value (discounted at a rate consistent with
accounting guidelines, as determined in good faith by such Person) of the
payments during the remaining term of the lease (including any period for which
such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended)
or until the earliest date on which the lessee may terminate such lease without
penalty or upon payment of a penalty (in which case the rental payments shall
include such penalty).
"AVERAGE LIFE TO STATED MATURITY" means, when applied to any Indebtedness at
any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products
obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of
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each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required
scheduled payment of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect
thereof, by (ii) the number of years calculated to the nearest one-twelfth that
will elapse between such date and the making of such payment, by (2) the then
outstanding aggregate principal amount of this Indebtedness.
"CAPITAL STOCK" means:
(1) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents, however designated and
whether or not voting, of corporate stock, including each class of common
stock and preferred stock of that Person, and
(2) with respect to any Person that is not a corporation, any and all
partnership, membership or other equity interest of that Person.
"CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS" means any obligation of a Person and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis under any capital lease of real or personal
property that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease
obligation for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.
"CASH EQUIVALENTS" means:
(1) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the
United States Government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, having
maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition,
(2) marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States
of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public
instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of
acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition thereof, having a
credit rating of "A" or better from either Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group or Moody's Investors Service, Inc.,
(3) certificates of deposit, time deposits, Eurodollar time deposits,
overnight bank deposits or bankers' acceptances having maturities of not
more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any
commercial bank the long-term debt of which is rated at the time of
acquisition thereof at least "A" or the equivalent thereof by Standard &
Poor's Rating Group, or "A" or the equivalent thereof by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc., and having capital and surplus in excess of $500
million,
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for
underlying securities of the types described in paragraphs (1), (2) and
(3) entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in
paragraph (3) above,
(5) commercial paper rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least "A-2"
or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Rating Group or "P-2" or
the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or carrying an
equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of
the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of investments,
and in either case maturing within 270 days after the date of their
acquisition, and
(6) interests in any investment company which invests solely in instruments
of the type specified in paragraphs (1) through (5) above.
"CONSOLIDATED INCOME TAX EXPENSE" for any period means the aggregate amounts
of the provisions of income taxes of Metromedia International Group and its
Subsidiaries for this period calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.
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"CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE" for any Person means, without duplication,
for any period, THE SUM OF:
(1) the interest expense of this Person and its Subsidiaries for this
period, on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, including without limitation:
(i) amortization of debt discount,
(ii) the net costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements and Currency
Hedging Agreements,
(iii) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation, and
(iv) accrued interest,
PLUS
(2) the interest component of Capital Lease Obligations paid, accrued,
and/or scheduled to be paid or accrued by this Person and its
consolidated Subsidiaries,
PLUS
(3) the aggregate amount for that period of cash dividends paid on any
Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock of that Person and its
consolidated Subsidiaries,
in each case, on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
"CONSOLIDATED LEVERAGE RATIO" means, as to any Person, the ratio of:
(1) the total consolidated Indebtedness of Metromedia International Group
and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date of calculation (the
"Determination Date") to
(2) two times the Consolidated Operating Cash Flow of Metromedia
International Group and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the most recent
two fiscal quarters for which financial information is available (the
"Reference Period") immediately preceding the Determination Date.
For purposes of this definition, the Consolidated Operating Cash Flow will
be calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and on
a pro forma basis to:
(1) include the results of any Person that is a consolidated Subsidiary on
the Determination Date or that would become a consolidated Subsidiary in
connection with the transaction that requires the determination of the
Consolidated Operating Cash Flow,
(2) exclude any Person that is not a consolidated Subsidiary on the
Determination Date or that would cease to be a consolidated Subsidiary in
connection with the transaction that requires the determination of the
Consolidated Operating Cash Flow, and
(3) include or exclude, as the case may be, the results of any operating
business acquired or disposed of by Metromedia International Group or a
consolidated Subsidiary in the Reference Period.
"CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, for any period, the net income (loss) of
Metromedia International Group and its consolidated Subsidiaries determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income: (i) any net
income (loss) of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that (A)
subject to the limitations contained in (iv) below, Metromedia International
Group's equity in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be
included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash
actually distributed by such Person during such period to Metromedia
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International Group or a Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution
(subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted
Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (iii) below) and (B)
Metromedia International Group's equity in a net loss of any such Person (other
than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) for such period shall be included in
determining such Consolidated Net Income to the extent such loss has been funded
with cash from Metromedia International Group or a Restricted Subsidiary; (ii)
any net income (loss) of any Person acquired by Metromedia International Group
or a Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to
the date of such acquisition; (iii) any net income of any Restricted Subsidiary
if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or
indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such
Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to Metromedia International
Group, except that (A) subject to the limitations contained in (iv) below,
Metromedia International Group's equity in the net income of any such Restricted
Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up
to the aggregate amount of cash that could have been distributed by such
Restricted Subsidiary during such period to Metromedia International Group or
another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend (subject, in the case of a dividend
or other distribution to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation
contained in this clause) and (B) Metromedia International Group's equity in a
net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in
determining such Consolidated Net Income; (iv) any gain (loss) realized upon the
sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of Metromedia
International Group or its consolidated Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any
Sale and Leaseback Transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in
the ordinary course of business and any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or
other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person; (v) any extraordinary gain
or loss and (vi) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles.
"CONSOLIDATED OPERATING CASH FLOW" means, with respect to any period, the
Consolidated Net Income for this period increased, to the extent that any of the
following items were deducted in calculating the Consolidated Net Income but
without duplication, by:
(1) the Consolidated Income Tax Expense for this period,
(2) the Consolidated Interest Expense for this period, whether paid or
accrued and whether or not capitalized, and
(3) depreciation, amortization, minority interest and any other non-cash
items for this period other than any non-cash item which requires the
accrual of, or reserve for, cash charges for any future period, of
Metromedia International Group and any of its consolidated Subsidiaries.
"CREDIT FACILITY" means one or more credit agreements, loan agreements or
similar facilities, secured or unsecured, entered into from time to time by
Metromedia International Group or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and
including any related notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and
agreements executed in connection therewith, as the same may be amended,
supplemented, modified, restated, refinanced or replaced from time to time.
"CUMULATIVE CONSOLIDATED OPERATING CASH FLOW" and "CUMULATIVE CONSOLIDATED
INTEREST EXPENSE" means, on any date of determination, the cumulative
Consolidated Operating Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense, as the case
may be, realized during the period commencing on the date of issuance of the
notes and ending on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter immediately
preceding the date of determination for which consolidated financial information
is available.
"CURRENCY HEDGING AGREEMENT" means in respect of any Person, any foreign
exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement to which
such Person is a party or a beneficiary and entered into for hedging purposes
only.
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"DISQUALIFIED CAPITAL STOCK" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital
Stock of this Person which by its terms or by the terms of any security into
which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable or upon the happening of
any event or the passage of time (1) matures or becomes mandatorily redeemable
pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (2) becomes exchangeable for
Indebtedness at the option of the holder of this Indebtedness or (3) becomes
redeemable at the option of the holder of this Capital Stock, in whole or in
part, in each case on or before the Stated Maturity of the notes, PROVIDED,
that:
(a) only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or becomes so
redeemable or exchangeable on or before the Stated Maturity of the notes
will be deemed to be Disqualified Capital Stock, and
(b) any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock
but for its provisions giving its holders the right to require this
Person to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of
any "asset sale" or "change of control" occurring before the Stated
Maturity of the notes will not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock if
the "asset sale" or "change of control' provisions applicable to this
Capital Stock are no more favorable to the holders of this Capital Stock
than the provisions described under the "-- Change of Control" and
"Certain Covenants--Limitation on Sales of Assets" covenants described
above and if these provisions specifically provide that this Person will
not repurchase or redeem this Capital Stock pursuant to these provisions
before the repurchase by Metromedia International Group of the notes as
are required to be repurchased under the "--Change of Control" and
"Certain Covenants--Limitation on Sales of Assets" covenants described
above.
"EQUITY INTERESTS" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other
rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.
"EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS" of a Person means Indebtedness of this Person in
existence on the date of issuance of the notes, until these amounts are repaid.
"FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, with respect to any asset or property, the sale
value that would be reasonably expected to be obtained in an arm's-length
transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell
and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy. For purposes of
the indenture for the notes, the Fair Market Value of any asset or property will
be determined by the board of directors of Metromedia International Group acting
in good faith and will be evidenced by a resolution of the board of directors.
"GUARANTEE" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person
directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any
obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of this Person (1) to
purchase or pay or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of, this
Indebtedness of this other Person, whether arising by virtue of partnership
arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods,
securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement
conditions or otherwise, or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any
other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to
protect this obligee against loss in respect of this Indebtedness, in whole or
in part; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the term "Guarantee" will not include
endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The
term "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
"INCUR" means create, incur, assume, suffer to exist or otherwise become
liable for; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a
Person existing at the time this Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, whether
by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise, will be deemed to be
Incurred by this Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary. "Incurrence" will have a correlative meaning.
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"INDEBTEDNESS" means at any time (without duplication), with respect to any
Person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person,
and whether or not contingent,
(1) any obligation of such Person for money borrowed,
(2) any obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes,
guarantees or other similar instruments, including, without limitation,
any such obligations incurred in connection with acquisition of property,
assets or businesses, excluding trade accounts payable made in the
ordinary course of business,
(3) any reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to letters of
credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account
of such Person,
(4) any obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase
price of property or services (but excluding trade accounts payable or
accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business, which in
either case are not more than 60 days overdue or which are being
contested in good faith),
(5) any Capital Lease Obligation of such Person,
(6) the maximum fixed redemption or repurchase price of Disqualified Capital
Stock of such Person and, to the extent held by other Persons, the
maximum fixed redemption or repurchase price of Disqualified Capital
Stock of such Person's Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of
determination,
(7) the notional amount of any interest hedging obligations or exchange rate
obligations of such Person at the time of determination,
(8) any Attributable Indebtedness with respect to any Sale and Leaseback
Transaction to which such Person is a party and
(9) any obligation of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (8) of
this definition of another Person and all dividends and distributions of
another Person the payment of which, in either case, such Person has
guaranteed or is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as
obligor, guarantor or otherwise. For purposes of the preceding sentence,
the maximum fixed repurchase price of any Disqualified Capital Stock that
does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance
with the terms of such Disqualified Capital Stock as if such Disqualified
Capital Stock were repurchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be
required to be determined pursuant hereto; PROVIDED that if such
Disqualified Capital Stock is not then permitted to be repurchased, the
repurchase price shall be the book value of such Disqualified Capital
Stock. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the
outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as
described above and the maximum liability of any guarantees at such date;
PROVIDED that for purposes of calculating the amount of the notes
outstanding at any date, such amount shall be the accreted value thereof
as of such date unless cash interest has commenced to accrue pursuant to
the terms of the notes, in which case the amount of the notes outstanding
will be determined pursuant to the terms of the notes.
"INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT" means with respect to any Person, any interest
rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option
agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest
rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement
or arrangement as to which this Person is a party or a beneficiary.
"INVESTMENT" means, with respect to any Person, all investments by that
Person in other Persons, including Affiliates, in the form of direct or indirect
loans, including Guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations, advances or
capital contributions, purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of
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Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that
are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Investments will not
include commissions, travel and similar advances to directors, officers and
employees made in the ordinary course of business. If Metromedia International
Group or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells or otherwise disposes of any
Equity Interests or any direct or indirect Subsidiary such that, after giving
effect to that sale or disposition, that Person is no longer a Subsidiary of
Metromedia International Group or its Restricted Subsidiaries, Metromedia
International Group will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of
that sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Equity Interests
of that Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.
"JOINT VENTURE" means a Telecommunications Company of which less than 50
percent of the Voting Stock is held by PLD Telekom, provided that the
Telecommunications Business of this Person is principally conducted in the
Russian Federation and/or Kazakhstan.
"LEASING COMPANY" means a special purpose Cypriot or U.S. corporation which
is a wholly owned Subsidiary of Metromedia International Group organized for the
limited purpose of acquiring Telecommunications Assets and leasing these
Telecommunications Assets to direct or indirect Subsidiaries of PLD Telekom
pursuant to Telecommunications Asset Agreements and/or making investments in a
Telecommunications Company primarily engaged or proposing to engage in the
Telecommunications Business in the Russian Federation or Kazakhstan.
"LIEN" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, pledge, security
interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind in respect of this asset,
including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in
the nature of a Lien.
"NET CASH PROCEEDS," with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock,
means the cash proceeds of this issuance or sale net of attorneys' fees,
accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, discounts or
commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in
connection with this issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a
result of this issuance or sale.
"NET PROCEEDS" from an Asset Sale means cash or Cash Equivalent payments
received, including any cash or Cash Equivalent payments received by way of
deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or
otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration
received in the form of assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness or
other obligations relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of
the Asset Sale or received in any other noncash form from the Asset Sale, in
each case net of:
(1) all legal, accounting, investment banking, title and recording tax
expenses, commission and other fees and expenses incurred, and all
federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be paid
or accrued as a liability under generally accepted accounting principles,
as a consequence of such Asset Sale,
(2) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets
subject to such Asset Sale, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon
such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a
necessary consent to such Asset Sale, or by applicable law be repaid out
of the proceeds from such Asset Sale,
(3) all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority
interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such
Asset Sale,
(4) the deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the seller as a
reserve against any liabilities associated with the assets disposed of in
such Asset Sale and retained by Metromedia International Group or any
Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Sale, and
(5) employee severance and termination costs.
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"OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" means a certificate signed by any two of the
Chairman of the board of directors, the President, any Vice President, the
Treasurer or the Secretary of Metromedia International Group.
"PERMITTED LIENS" means:
(1) any Lien existing on the date of the Indenture,
(2) any Lien arising in connection with court judgements, taxes, workmen's
compensation, zoning restrictions, easements and rights of way that do
not materially impair operation of the business, performance bids,
contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds,
letters of credit and other obligations incurred in the ordinary course
of business, and
(3) any Lien securing obligations in connection with Indebtedness permitted
under clauses (2), (4), (5), (7) and (8), to the extent the Indebtedness
to which the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness relates was secured, of
the paragraph on permitted Indebtedness under the "-- Limitations on
Indebtedness" covenant above.
"PERMITTED REFINANCING INDEBTEDNESS" means any amendments, supplements,
modifications, deferrals, renewals, extensions, substitutions, refundings,
defeasance, refinancings or replacements (collectively, a "refinancing") of any
Indebtedness, including successive refinancings, so long as:
(1) the borrower under these refinancings is Metromedia International Group
or, if not Metromedia International Group, the same as the borrower or
its successor of the Indebtedness being refinanced,
(2) the aggregate principal amount or accreted value of the new Indebtedness
does not exceed the sum of:
(i) the aggregate principal amount or accreted value being refinanced,
(ii) the accrued interest represented thereby,
(iii) the amount of expenses of Metromedia International Group or the
borrower Incurred in connection with this refinancing, and
(iv) the lesser of (x) the stated amount of any premium or other payment
required to be paid in connection with this refinancing pursuant to
the terms of the Indebtedness being refinanced and (y) the amount
of premium actually paid at that time to refinance the
Indebtedness, and
(3) in the case of any refinancing of Subordinated Indebtedness, this new
Indebtedness is made subordinated to the notes at least to the same
extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced and this refinancing does not
reduce the Average Life to Stated Maturity or the Stated Maturity of this
Subordinated Indebtedness.
"PERSON" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or other agency or
political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
"PIVOTEL ASSETS" means the Pivotel telecommunications switches and nodes
located in New York and London, capacity in transatlantic and European cables,
upgraded switches in St. Petersburg and Moscow and related telecommunications
equipment.
"PLD ASSETS" means all of the assets (including shares of Capital Stock of
any Subsidiary) owned by PLD Telekom or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of PLD
Telekom on the date of issuance of our old notes, accounts receivable generated
by these assets and the Additional PLD Assets.
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"PLD COMPANIES" means PLD Telekom Inc., and its direct and indirect
Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, PeterStar Company Limited, Baltic
Communications Limited, Technocom Limited, ALTEL and CPY Yellow Pages Limited).
"PLD COMPANY PERMITTED LIENS" means:
(1) any Lien existing on the date of the indenture,
(2) any Lien arising in connection with court judgments, taxes, workmen's
compensation, zoning restrictions, easements and rights of way that do
not materially impair operation of the business, performance bids,
contracts, leases, statutory allegations, surety and appeal bonds,
letters of credit and other obligations incurred in the ordinary course
of business, and
(3) any Lien securing obligations in connection with Indebtedness permitted
under that section of the Indenture described in clauses (2), (3), (4),
(6) and (7), to the extent the Indebtedness to which the Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness relates was secured, of the paragraph on
permitted PLD Indebtedness under the "--Limitations on PLD Indebtedness"
covenant above.
"PREFERRED STOCK" means any Equity Interest of any class or classes of a
Person, however designated, which is preferred as to the payment of dividends,
or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation or dissolution, over Equity Interests of any other class of this
Person.
"PUBLIC EQUITY OFFERING" means an underwritten sale of Capital Stock,
excluding Disqualified Capital Stock, of Metromedia International Group with
gross proceeds to Metromedia International Group of at least $25 million.
"PURCHASE MONEY OBLIGATION" of any Person means any Indebtedness that is
secured by a Lien on assets related to the business of this Person and any
additions, replacements, modifications and accessions of these assets, which are
purchased by this Person at any time after the notes are issued; PROVIDED that:
(1) the security agreement or conditional sale or other title retention
contract pursuant to which the Lien on these assets is created is entered
into within 180 days after the purchase or substantial completion of the
construction of these assets and is at all times confined solely to the
assets so purchased or acquired, any additions, replacements,
modifications and accessions to these assets and any proceeds and
products from these assets,
(2) at no time will the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Indebtedness secured by the Lien be increased except in connection with
the purchase of additions and accessions to these assets and except in
respect of commitment or facility fees or other similar fees and other
similar obligations in respect of the Incurrence of this Indebtedness,
and
(3) either:
(i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness secured
by the Lien, determined on a per asset basis in the case of any
additions and accessions, will not at the time the security
agreement or other contract pursuant to which the Lien is created is
entered into exceed 90% of the purchase price to this Person of the
assets subject to the Lien, or
(ii) the Indebtedness secured by the Lien will be with recourse solely
to the assets so purchased or acquired, any additions,
replacements, modifications and accessions to these assets and any
proceeds and products from these assets.
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"QUALIFIED CAPITAL STOCK" means any and all Capital Stock of a Person other
than Disqualified Capital Stock.
"QUALIFIED JOINT VENTURE" means a Joint Venture in which PLD Telekom owns
directly or indirectly Voting Stock and any future Joint Venture in which PLD
Telekom owns 20% or more of the Voting Stock.
"RELATED ASSETS" means any asset or property used by or in or in connection
with a Related Business.
"RELATED BUSINESS" means when used in reference to any Person, that this
Person is engaged primarily in the business of, or providing services related to
the business of, (1) the transmission of voice, video or data, including but not
limited to, local and long-distance wireline and wireless telephone services and
internet services, (2) multi-channel television services, including wireline and
wireless cable television service, (3) broadcast radio, (4) paging, (5) lawn and
garden products and related services and (6) in the case of paragraphs (1)
through (5) above, the construction of any related facilities or any businesses
reasonably related thereto, which determination will be made in good faith by
the board of directors of Metromedia International Group.
"RELATED PARTIES" means (1) any officer or other member of management
employed by Metromedia Company or any Subsidiary as of the date of issuance of
the notes; (2) family members or relatives of the persons described in clause
(1); (3) any trusts created for the sole benefit of the persons described in
clause (1) or (2); or (4) in the event of the incompetence or death of any of
the persons described in clause (1), this person's estate, executor,
administrator, committee or other personal representatives or beneficiaries.
"RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means (1) Metromedia International
Telecommunications, Inc., Snapper Inc. and all other direct or wholly owned
subsidiaries of Metromedia International Group that are incorporated in any
State of the United States, (2) Paging One Services, GmbH (Austria), Romsat
Cable TV & Radio, SA (Romania) and Radio Balalon Juventus, Kft. (Hungary), to
the extent each of these entities constitutes Subsidiaries and (3) each of the
PLD Companies, to the extent each of them constitutes Subsidiaries.
"SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTION" means with respect to any Person, any
direct or indirect arrangement pursuant to which property is sold or transferred
by such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person and is thereafter
leased back from the purchaser or transferee thereof by such Person or one of
its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary that would be a "Significant
Subsidiary" of Metromedia International Group within the meaning of Rule 1-02
under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission.
"STATED MATURITY" means, when used with respect to any Indebtedness or any
installment of interest on any Indebtedness, the date specified in this
Indebtedness as the fixed date on which the payment of interest or principal was
scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing the Indebtedness.
The Stated Maturity will not include any provision for the contingent obligation
to repay, redeem or repurchase the interest or repurchase the interest or
principal of this Indebtedness before the date originally scheduled for their
payment.
"STRATEGIC INVESTOR" means any Person that is, or a controlled Affiliate of
any Person that is, engaged principally in a Related Business.
"SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS" means any Indebtedness of Metromedia
International Group or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether outstanding on the
date of issuance of the notes or thereafter Incurred, which expressly is
subordinate or junior in right of payment to the notes pursuant to a written
agreement.
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"SUBSIDIARY" of any Person means any corporation, association or other
business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of
Capital Stock entitled, without regard to the occurrence of any contingency, to
vote in the election of directors, managers, trustees or similar governing body
of this corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned
or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (1) this Person, (2) this Person and
one or more Subsidiaries of this Person or (3) one or more Subsidiaries of this
Person. Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Subsidiary will
refer to a Subsidiary of Metromedia International Group.
"TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSETS" means, with respect to any Person, assets,
including, without limitation, rights of way, trademarks and licenses and
licenses to use copyrighted material, that are utilized by this Person, directly
or indirectly, in a Telecommunications Business. Telecommunications Assets also
include stock, joint venture or partnership interest in another Person, provided
that substantially all of the assets of this other Person consist of
Telecommunications Assets. The determination of what constitutes
Telecommunications Assets will be made by the board of directors of Metromedia
International Group.
"TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSET AGREEMENT" means a lease or installment sale
agreement where title is transferred to the buyer pursuant to which a Leasing
Company leases or sells, in a transaction in which the monetary consideration is
paid immediately or is payable over time, Telecommunications Assets that consist
of equipment and rights acquired in connection with the lease or sale thereof,
including, without limitation, software licenses, to a Restricted Subsidiary or
Qualified Joint Venture in the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan.
"TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS" means the business of (1) transmitting, or
providing services relating to the transmission of, voice, video or data through
owned or leased transmission facilities, (2) creating, developing or marketing
communications related network equipment, software and other devices for use in
(1) above or (3) evaluating, participating or pursuing any other activity or
opportunity that is related to those specified in (1) or (2) above and includes,
without limitation, any business in which PLD Telekom and its direct and
indirect Subsidiaries are currently engaged.
"TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY" means any Person substantially all of the
assets of which consist of Telecommunications Assets.
"UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of Metromedia International
Group that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of determination is
designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of Metromedia
International Group in the manner provided below, and any Subsidiary of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The board of directors of Metromedia International Group may designate any
of the Subsidiaries of Metromedia International Group, including any newly
acquired or newly formed Subsidiary, to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless
this Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or
Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, Metromedia
International Group or any Restricted Subsidiary of Metromedia International
Group that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that either (1) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total
consolidated assets of $1.0 million or less or (2) if this Subsidiary has
consolidated assets greater than $1.0 million, then the Restricted Payments to
or with respect to this Subsidiary would be permitted under "Certain
Covenants--Limitation on Restricted Payments."
The board of directors of Metromedia International Group may designate any
Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
immediately after giving effect to this designation (1) Metromedia International
Group could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio test under "Certain Covenants--Limitation on
Indebtedness" and (2) no default under the indenture shall have occurred and be
continuing. Any designation by the board of directors of Metromedia
International Group will be evidenced to the
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trustee by promptly filing with the trustee a copy of the board resolution
giving effect to this designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that
this designation complied with these provisions.
"VOTING STOCK" of a Person means securities of any class or classes of
Capital Stock in such Person entitling the holders thereof, whether at all times
or at the times that such class of Capital Stock has voting power by reason of
the happening of any contingency, to vote in the election of members of the
board of directors or comparable body of such Person.
"WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY" means a Restricted Subsidiary of Metromedia
International Group, all of the Capital Stock of which, other than directors'
qualifying shares and shares that, under applicable law, are required to be held
by third persons, is owned by Metromedia International Group or another Wholly
Owned Subsidiary.
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
Except as described below, we will initially issue the notes in the form of
one or more registered exchange notes in global form without coupons. We will
deposit each global note on the date of the closing of this exchange offer with,
or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company in New York, New York, and
register the notes in the name of The Depository Trust Company or its nominee,
or will leave these notes in the custody of the trustee.
DEPOSITORY PROCEDURES
For your convenience, we are providing you with a description of the
operations and procedures of The Depository Trust Company. The operations and
procedures of The Depository Trust Company are solely within the control of its
settlement system however and may change from time to time. We are not
responsible for these operations and procedures and urge you to contact The
Depository Trust Company or its participants directly to discuss these matters.
The Depository Trust Company has advised us that it is a limited-purpose
trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations and
to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities
between its participants through electronic book-entry changes in the accounts
of these participants. These direct participants include securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. Access to The Depository Trust Company's system is also
indirectly available to other entities that clear through or maintain a direct
or indirect, custodial relationship with a direct participant. The Depository
Trust Company may hold securities beneficially owned by other persons only
through its participants and these other persons' ownership interest and
transfer of ownership interest will be recorded only on the records of the
participants and not on the records of The Depository Trust Company.
The Depository Trust Company has also advised us that, pursuant to its
procedures, (1) upon deposit of the global notes, it will credit the accounts of
the direct participants with an interest in the global notes, and (2) it will
maintain records of the ownership interests of these direct participants in the
global notes and the transfer of ownership interests by and between direct
participants. The Depository Trust Company will not maintain records of the
ownership interests of, or the transfer of ownership interests by and between,
indirect participants or other owners of beneficial interests in the global
notes. Both direct and indirect participants must maintain their own records of
ownership interests of, and the transfer of ownership interests by and between,
indirect participants and other owners of beneficial interests in the global
notes.
Investors in the global notes may hold their interests in the notes directly
through The Depository Trust Company if they are direct participants in The
Depository Trust Company or indirectly through organizations that are direct
participants in The Depository Trust Company. All interests in a global note may
be subject to the procedures and requirements of The Depository Trust Company.
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The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery
in definitive certificated form the securities that they own. This may limit or
curtail the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global note to these
persons. Because The Depository Trust Company can act only on behalf of direct
participants, which in turn act on behalf of indirect participants and others,
the ability of a person having a beneficial interest in a global note to pledge
its interest to persons or entities that are not direct participants in The
Depository Trust Company or to otherwise take actions in respect of its
interest, may be affected by the lack of physical certificates evidencing such
interests.
Except as described below, owners of interests in the global notes will not
have notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of
notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or
holders thereof under the indenture for any purpose.
Payments with respect to the principal of and interest on any notes
represented by a global note registered in the name of The Depository Trust
Company or its nominee on the applicable record date will be payable by the
trustee to or at the direction of The Depository Trust Company or its nominee in
its capacity as the registered holder of the global note representing these
notes under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, we and the trustee
will treat the persons in whose names the notes are registered, including notes
represented by global notes, as the owners of the notes for the purpose of
receiving payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Payments in
respect of the principal and interest on global notes registered in the name of
The Depository Trust Company or its nominee will be payable by the trustee to
The Depository Trust Company or its nominee as the registered holder under the
indenture. Consequently, none of us, the trustee or any of our agents, or the
trustee's agents has or will have any responsibility or liability for (1) any
aspect of The Depository Trust Company's records or any direct or indirect
participant's records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in the global notes or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any of The Depository Trust Company's records or any direct or
indirect participant's records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in
any global note or (2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of
The Depository Trust Company or any of its direct or indirect participants.
The Depository Trust Company has advised us that its current practice, upon
receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes, including
principal and interest, is to credit the accounts of the relevant participants
with the payment on the payment date, in amounts proportionate to their
respective holdings in the principal amount of beneficial interest in the
security as shown on its records, unless it has reasons to believe that it will
not receive payment on the payment date. Payments by the direct and indirect
participants to the beneficial owners of interests in the global note will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practice and will be the
responsibility of the direct or indirect participants and will not be the
responsibility of The Depository Trust Company, the trustee or us.
None of us or the trustee will be liable for any delay by The Depository
Trust Company or any direct or indirect participant in identifying the
beneficial owners of the notes and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on,
and will be protected in relying on, instructions from The Depository Trust
Company for all purposes, including with respect to the registration and
delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the notes.
Transfers between participants in The Depository Trust Company will be
effected in accordance with The Depository Trust Company's procedures, and will
be settled in same day funds.
The Depository Trust Company has advised us that it will take any action
permitted to be taken by a holder of notes only at the direction of one or more
participants to whose account The Depository Trust Company has credited the
interests in the global notes and only in respect of the portion of the
aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which the participant or
participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of
default with respect to the notes, The Depository Trust
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Company reserves the right to exchange the global notes for legended notes in
certificated form and to distribute them to its participants.
Although The Depository Trust Company has agreed to these procedures to
facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among participants in The
Depository Trust Company, it is under no obligation to perform or to continue to
perform these procedures and may discontinue them at any time. None of us, the
trustee or any of our or the trustee's respective agents will have any
responsibility for the performance by The Depository Trust Company and its
direct or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules
and procedures governing their operations.
EXCHANGE OF BOOK-ENTRY NOTES FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES
A global note will be exchangeable for definitive notes in registered
certificated form if:
(1) The Depository Trust Company notifies us that it is unwilling or unable
to continue as depository for the global notes and we fail to appoint a
successor depository within 90 days,
(2) The Depository Trust Company ceases to be a clearing agency registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
(3) we elect to cause the issuance of the certificated notes upon a notice
to the trustee,
(4) a default or event of default under the indenture for the notes has
occurred and is continuing, or
(5) a request to that effect is made but only upon prior written notice
given to the trustee by or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company in
accordance with the indenture.
In all cases, certificated notes delivered in exchange for any global note
or beneficial interests in a global note will be registered in the names, and
issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the
depositary, in accordance with its customary procedures.
EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATED NOTES FOR BOOK-ENTRY NOTES
Notes issued in certificated form may not be exchanged for beneficial
interests in any global note unless the transferor first delivers to the trustee
a written certificate, in the form provided in the indenture, to the effect that
this transfer will comply with the appropriate transfer restrictions applicable
to the notes.
SAME DAY SETTLEMENT
We expect that the interests in the global notes will be eligible to trade
in The Depository Trust Company's Same-Day Funds Settlement System. As a result,
secondary market trading activity in these interests will settle in immediately
available funds, subject in all cases to the rules and procedures of The
Depository Trust Company and its participants. We expect that secondary trading
in any certificated notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.
PAYMENT
The indenture requires that payments in respect of the notes represented by
global notes, including principal and interest, be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holder of the
global notes. With respect to notes in certificated form, we will make all
payments of principal and interest on the notes at our office or agency
maintained for that purpose within the city and state of New York. This office
will initially be the office of the paying agent maintained for that purpose. At
our option however, we may make these payments by check mailed to the holders of
notes at their respective addresses provided in the register of holders of
notes. However,
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we are required to make all payments of principal and interest on notes in
certificated form the holders of which have given us wire transfer instructions,
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by
these holders.
YEAR 2000
The Depository Trust Company has advised us that its management is aware
that some computer applications, systems, and the like for processing data that
are dependent upon calendar dates, including dates before, on and after January
1, 2000, may encounter year 2000 problems. The Depository Trust Company has
informed its participants and other members of the financial community that it
has developed and is implementing a program so that its systems, as the same
relate to the timely payment of distributions, including principal and interest
payments, to security holders, book-entry deliveries and settlement of trades
within The Depository Trust Company, continue to function appropriately. This
program includes a technical assessment and a remediation plan, each of which is
complete. Additionally, The Depository Trust Company's plan includes a testing
phase, which is expected to be completed within the appropriate time frames.
However, The Depository Trust Company's ability to perform properly its services
is also dependent upon other parties, including issuers and their agents, as
well as third party vendors from whom The Depository Trust Company licenses
software and hardware, and third party vendors on whom The Depository Trust
Company relies for information or the provision of services, including
telecommunication and electrical utility service providers, among others. The
Depository Trust Company has informed its participants and other members of the
financial community that it is contacting and will continue to contact third
party vendors from whom The Depository Trust Company acquires services to:
- impress upon them the importance of these services being year 2000
compliant, and
- determine the extent of their efforts for year 2000 remediation and, as
appropriate, testing of their services.
In addition, The Depository Trust Company is in the process of developing
contingency plans as it deems appropriate. According to The Depository Trust
Company, the foregoing information with respect to The Depository Trust Company
has been provided to its participants and other members of the financial
community for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a
representation, warranty or contract modification of any kind.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion summarizes certain United States federal income tax
consequences of the exchange offer that may be relevant to holders of old notes
who are United States persons. The discussion is intended only as a summary and
does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential tax
considerations that may be relevant to these holders of old or exchange notes.
The discussion does not include special rules that may apply to certain holders,
including insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions
or broker-dealers, holders whose functional currency is not the United States
dollar, and persons holding the old or exchange notes as part of a "straddle,"
"hedge," "constructive sale" or "conversion transaction," and investors who are
not United States persons. In addition, this discussion does not address the tax
consequences of the law of any state, locality or foreign jurisdiction. The
discussion is based upon currently existing provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the
Internal Revenue Code and current administrative rulings and court decisions.
All of the foregoing are subject to change and any such change could affect the
continuing validity of this discussion.
In this discussion, "United States person" means a beneficial owner of the
notes who or that (1) is a citizen or resident of the United States, (2) is a
corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the
laws of the United States or a political subdivision thereof, (3) is an estate
the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its
source, (4) is a trust if (A) a U.S. court is able to exercise supervision over
the administration of the trust and (B) one or more U.S. fiduciaries have
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (5) is otherwise
subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of the
notes.
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. THE TAX TREATMENT
MAY VARY DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S PARTICULAR SITUATION. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR
OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE EXCHANGE
OFFER AND THE OWNERSHIP OF THE OLD OR EXCHANGE NOTES, INCLUDING THE
APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
EXCHANGE OF NOTES
The exchange of old notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer
will not be treated as an exchange or otherwise as a taxable event to holders.
Consequently, (1) no gain or loss will be realized by a holder upon receipt of
an exchange note, (2) the holding period of the exchange note will include the
holding period of the old note exchanged therefor, and (3) the adjusted tax
basis of the exchange note will be the same as the adjusted tax basis of the old
note, including any income recognized in connection with the exchange of old
notes for the accrued but unpaid interest on the PLD Telekem notes, exchanged
therefor immediately before the exchange.
CONSEQUENCES OF OWNERSHIP OF EXCHANGE NOTES
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
The exchange notes will have original issue discount for federal income tax
purposes, except in the circumstances described below in "--Amortizable Bond
Premium". Each holder of exchange notes, whether a cash or accrual method
taxpayer, will be required to include in income this original issue discount as
it accrues, in advance of the receipt of some or all of the related cash
payments. The amount of original issue discount on an exchange note is the
excess of its stated redemption price at maturity over the issue price of the
exchange note. The stated redemption price at maturity is the sum of all
payments to be made on the exchange note, whether denominated as interest or
principal. Because the exchange notes are treated for federal income tax
purposes as if they were the same as the old notes, the amount of original issue
discount on an exchange note will be calculated as if the exchange note and the
old note were a single note that was issued at the time the old note was issued,
for an issue price equal to the issue price of the old note, and any accrued
original issue discount on the old note at the time of the exchange offer will
carry over and be treated as accrued original issue
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discount on the exchange notes. The issue price of each old note will be
determined as described below under "--Issue Price."
The amount of original issue discount includable in income by the holder of
a note is the sum of the "daily portions" of original issue discount with
respect to the note for each day during the taxable year or portion of the
taxable year on which this holder held the note, reduced as described in "--
Acquisition Premium". The daily portion is determined by allocating to each day
in any accrual period a pro rata portion of the original issue discount
allocable to that accrual period. The accrual periods for a note will be periods
that are each selected by the holder of the note that are no longer than one
year, provided that each scheduled payment occurs either on the final day of an
accrual period or on the first day of an accrual period. The amount of original
issue discount allocable to any accrual period other than the initial short
accrual period, if any, and the final accrual period is an amount equal to the
product of the note's adjusted issue price at the beginning of the accrual
period and its yield to maturity determined on the basis of compounding at the
close of each accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the accrual
period. The amount of original issue discount allocable to the final accrual
period is the difference between the amount payable at maturity and the adjusted
issue price of the note at the beginning of the final accrual period. The amount
of original issue discount allocable to any initial short accrual period may
generally be computed under any reasonable method. The yield to maturity is the
discount rate that, when used in computing the present value of all payments to
be made under the notes, produces an amount equal to the issue price of the
notes. The adjusted issue price of the note at the start of any accrual period
is equal to its issue price increased by the accrued original issue discount for
each prior accrual period and reduced by any prior payments with respect to the
note. Metromedia International Group is required to report the amount of
original issue discount accrued on notes held of record by persons other than
corporations and other exempt holders of notes, which may be based on accrual
periods other than those chosen by the holders of notes.
The holder's tax basis in a note will be increased by the amount of original
issue discount on the note that is included in the holder's income pursuant to
these rules, and will be decreased by the amount of any payments made with
respect to the note.
ISSUE PRICE
The issue price of an old note depends, in part, on whether the old notes
are, or the PLD Telekom notes exchanged for the old notes were, publicly traded.
In general, the old notes or the PLD Telekom notes will be treated as publicly
traded if, at any time during the 60-day period ending 30 days after the issue
date of the old notes, a substantial amount of the old notes or the PLD Telekom
notes are traded on an established market, as defined in Treasury regulations.
Subject to certain exceptions, the old notes or the PLD Telekom notes will be
treated as traded on an established market if (1) either is listed on certain
securities exchanges, interdealer quotation systems, or designated foreign
exchanges or boards of trade, (2) either is traded on certain boards of trade
that are designated as contract markets or on interbank markets, (3) either
appears on a system on general circulation that provides a reasonable basis to
determine fair market value by disseminating either recent price quotations of
identified brokers, dealers or traders, or actual prices of recent sales
transactions, or (4) price quotations are readily available from brokers,
dealers or traders. If the old notes or the PLD Telekom notes are traded on an
established market, the issue price of an old note will be the fair market value
of the old note or the PLD Telekom note for which it is issued, as the case may
be, on the issue date as determined by this trading.
The issue price of an old note that is neither publicly traded nor issued
for a PLD Telekom note so traded will be its stated principal amount. Note that
this method could produce an issue price for the old notes that is materially
different from the issue price determined in the situation where either the PLD
Telekom notes or the old notes are publicly traded.
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APPLICABLE HIGH YIELD DISCOUNT OBLIGATIONS
If the exchange notes are treated as having significant original issue
discount, the exchange notes will be subject to the applicable high yield
discount obligation rules of the Internal Revenue Code. The exchange notes will
have significant original issue discount if the amount includible in gross
income of a holder during the first 5 years of the term of the exchange note
exceeds the sum of (1) the aggregate cash interest paid during this 5-year
period and (2) the product of the issue price of the exchange note times its
yield to maturity. If the exchange notes are determined to be subject to the
applicable high yield discount obligation rules, our deductions with respect to
original issue discount will be suspended until these amounts are actually paid,
and the disqualified portion of the original issue discount will be permanently
nondeductible. The disqualified portion of the original issue discount is the
portion that is attributable to the yield on such exchange note in excess of the
applicable federal rate plus 600 basis points. These rules generally do not
affect the amount, timing or character of a holder's income; however, domestic
corporate holders may be eligible for a dividends-received deduction with
respect to their inclusion in income of the disqualified portion if this amount,
if paid with respect to stock, would have been a dividend (i.e., among other
things, would have been out of earnings and profits). The availability of the
dividends-received deduction is subject to a number of complex limitations.
MARKET DISCOUNT
A debt instrument is acquired with market discount (1) in the case of debt
instruments issued without original issue discount, if the purchase price is
less than its principal amount or (2) in the case of debt instruments issued
with original issue discount, if the purchase price is less than its revised
issue price, taking into account original issue discount includable in income of
all previous holders of the debt instrument, and disregarding any reduction on
account of acquisition premium. Although the issue is not entirely clear, if the
exchange of PLD Telekom notes for the old notes qualified as a tax-free
reorganization, any accrued market discount with respect to the PLD Telekom
notes should carry over and be treated as accrued market discount with respect
to the old notes received in exchange. Any accrued market discount on the old
notes will be carried over and be treated as accrued market discount with
respect to the exchange notes.
Upon any disposition, including a gift or payment at maturity, of an
exchange note other than in connection with certain nonrecognition transactions,
the lesser of (1) any gain on such disposition or appreciation, in the case of a
gift, or (2) the sum of the portion of the market discount that accrued while
the exchange note was held by such holder, including any market discount that
accrued while such holder held the old note, and any market discount that
carried over from the PLD Telekom note will be treated as ordinary interest
income at the time of the disposition. The amount of market discount treated as
having accrued as of any particular time will be determined either on a ratable
basis, or, if the holder so elects, on a constant interest method. Unless a
holder makes the election described below to include market discount in income
on a current basis, the holder may be required to defer a portion of any
interest expense that may otherwise be deductible on any indebtedness incurred
or maintained to purchase or carry the exchange note until the holder disposes
of the exchange note.
In lieu of including accrued market discount in income at the time of
disposition of an exchange note, a holder may elect to include market discount
in income currently. The election to include market discount in income
currently, once made, is irrevocable and applies to all market discount
obligations acquired on or after the first day of the first taxable year to
which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the
Internal Revenue Service.
ACQUISITION PREMIUM
If a holder's tax basis in an exchange note (1) exceeds the adjusted issue
price of the exchange note, and (2) is less than or equal to the stated
redemption price at maturity reduced by any payments
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made on the exchange note, this excess will be considered acquisition premium.
Such a holder is permitted to reduce the amount of original issue discount
required to be included in gross income by an amount equal to the original issue
discount otherwise includible multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which
is the amount of acquisition premium and the denominator of which is the excess
of the sum of all amounts payable on the exchange notes after the acquisition
date over the adjusted issue price. Alternatively, a holder may elect to
amortize acquisition premium on a constant yield basis, treating the holder's
basis in the exchange note as the exchange note's issue price.
AMORTIZABLE BOND PREMIUM
If a holder's tax basis in an exchange note exceeds the sum of all amounts
payable on the exchange note after the acquisition date, the exchange note will
not be treated as issued with original issue discount, and this excess would be
treated as amortizable bond premium. The holder may elect to amortize the excess
over the period from the acquisition date of the exchange note to the maturity
date. Amortizable bond premium allocable to a period may be treated as a bond
premium deduction to the extent that the holder's total interest inclusions in
prior periods exceed the total amount treated by the holder as a bond premium
deduction on the exchange note in prior periods. Any excess over such total
interest inclusions is carried forward to the next accrual period. A holder that
elects to amortize bond premium must reduce its adjusted basis in the exchange
note by the amount of allowable amortization. An election to amortize bond
premium applies to the amortizable bond premium on all taxable bonds held during
or after the holder's taxable year for which the election is made and may be
revoked only with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
SALE, EXCHANGE OR RETIREMENT OF EXCHANGE NOTES
A holder of exchange notes will recognize gain or loss upon the sale,
redemption, retirement or other disposition of the exchange notes; this gain or
loss will generally be equal to the difference between (1) the amount of cash
and the fair market value of property received and (2) the holder's adjusted tax
basis in the exchange notes, including any accrued original issue discount or
market discount previously included in income by the holder and reduced by any
previous payments with respect to the exchange notes and any amortizable bond
premium applied to reduce interest on the exchange note. Subject to the market
discount rules discussed above, gain or loss recognized will be capital gain or
loss and will be long term capital gain or loss if the holder's holding period,
including any holding period attributable to the holder's former ownership of
PLD Telekom notes if the exchange of PLD Telekom notes for old notes qualified
as a tax-free reorganization, exceeds one year. Net capital gains of individuals
are subject to tax at lower rates than items of ordinary income. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
We will provide annual information statements to holders of the exchange
notes and to the Internal Revenue Service, setting forth the amount of original
issue discount determined to be attributable to the exchange notes for that
year.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Under certain circumstances, the failure of a holder of exchange notes to
provide sufficient information to establish that the holder is exempt from the
backup withholding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code will subject the
holder to backup withholding at a rate of 31 percent on payments of principal
and interest on the exchange notes, and the proceeds from a disposition of the
exchange notes. In general, backup withholding applies if a noncorporate holder
fails to furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, fails to report
interest income in full, or fails to certify that such holder has provided a
correct taxpayer identification number and that the holder is not subject to
withholding. An individual's taxpayer identification number is such person's
Social Security number. Any amount withheld from a payment to a holder under the
backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against such holder's
United States federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a
refund, provided the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue
Service.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant
to the exchange offer in exchange for old notes acquired by it as a result of
market making or other trading activities may be deemed to be an underwriter
within the meaning of the Securities Act and, therefore, must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resales, offers to resell or other transfers of the exchange notes received by
it in the exchange offer. Accordingly, each such broker-dealer must acknowledge
that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act
in connection with any resale of these exchange notes. The letter of transmittal
states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act. This prospectus, as it may
be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for old notes
where these old notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of exchange notes by
broker-dealers. Exchange notes received by a broker-dealer for its own account
pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through
the writing of options on the exchange notes or a combination of these methods
of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related
to these prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be
made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such exchange notes. Any
broker-dealer that resells exchange notes that were received by it for its own
account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that
participates in a distribution of these exchange notes may be deemed to be an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit of any such
resale of exchange notes and any commissions or concessions received by any such
persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act.
The letter of transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and
by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it
is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act.
LEGAL MATTERS
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, New York, New York, has passed
upon certain legal matters, including certain tax matters on our behalf, with
respect to the notes.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Metromedia International Group,
Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998, have been audited by
KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants, as set forth in their report
with respect to these consolidated financial statements. These consolidated
financial statements are included in our annual report on Form 10-K/A for the
year ended December 31, 1998, and are incorporated by reference in this
prospectus in reliance upon the report given and upon the authority of such firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of PLD Telekom Inc. and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for the years then ended, have been audited
by KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants, as set forth in their
report with respect to these consolidated financial statements. The report of
KPMG LLP covering the December 31, 1998 consolidated financial statements
contains an explanatory paragraph that states that PLD Telekom Inc.'s recurring
losses, working capital deficiency, and lack of sufficient funds to meet its
current debt obligations raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to
continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not
include
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any adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty. These
consolidated financial statements are included in PLD Telekom Inc.'s annual
report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998, and are incorporated
by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the report given and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash
flows of PLD Telekom Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 1996,
have been audited by KPMG LLP, chartered accountants, as set forth in their
report with respect to these consolidated financial statements. These
consolidated financial statements are included in PLD Telekom Inc.'s annual
report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998, and are incorporated
by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the report given and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of PLD Capital Asset (U.S.) Inc. as of December 31,
1998 and for the year then ended, have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent
certified public accountants, as set forth in their report with respect to these
financial statements. The report of KPMG LLP covering the December 31, 1998
financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph that states that PLD
Capital Asset (U.S.) Inc.'s parent, PLD Telekom Inc., does not presently have
sufficient funds on hand to meet its current debt obligations. PLD Telekom
Inc.'s failure to make payment in full when required could result in a
cross-default under and acceleration of other debt obligations for which PLD
Capital Asset (U.S.) Inc. is a guarantor. These factors raise substantial doubt
about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial
statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of
that uncertainty. These financial statements are included in PLD Telekom Inc.'s
annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998, and are
incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the report given
and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of Baltic Communications Limited as of December 31,
1998 and 1997 and for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 and the nine
months ended December 31, 1996, have been audited by KPMG, independent auditors,
as set forth in their report with respect to these financial statements. The
report of KPMG covering the December 31, 1998 financial statements contains an
explanatory paragraph that states that Baltic Communications Limited's parent,
PLD Telekom Inc., does not presently have sufficient funds on hand to meet its
current debt obligations. Baltic Communications Limited is a guarantor of such
obligations. PLD Telekom Inc.'s failure to make payments in full when required
could result in a claim being made against Baltic Communications Limited under
its guaranty and a cross-default under and acceleration of other debt
obligations for which Baltic Communications Limited is also a guarantor. These
factors raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a
going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that
might result from the outcome of that uncertainty. These financial statements
are included in PLD Telekom Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year
ended December 31, 1998, and are incorporated by reference in this prospectus in
reliance upon the report given and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of NWE Capital (Cyprus) Ltd. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1998, have been audited by KPMG,
independent auditors, as set forth in their report with respect to these
consolidated financial statements. The report of KPMG covering the December 31,
1998 consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph that
states that NWE Capital (Cyprus) Ltd.'s parent, PLD Telekom Inc., does not
presently have sufficient funds on hand to meet its current debt obligations.
PLD Telekom Inc.'s failure to make payments in full when required could result
in a cross default under and acceleration of other debt obligations for which
NWE Capital (Cyprus) Ltd. is a guarantor. These factors raise substantial doubt
about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated
financial statements do not include any adjustments that might
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result from the outcome of that uncertainty. These consolidated financial
statements are included in PLD Telekom Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-K/A for
the year ended December 31, 1998, and are incorporated by reference in this
prospectus in reliance upon the report given and upon the authority of said firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Technocom Limited and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1998, have been audited by KPMG, chartered
accountants, as set forth in their report with respect to these consolidated
financial statements. The report of KPMG covering the December 31, 1998
consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph that states
that Technocom Limited's recurring losses, working capital deficiency and lack
of sufficient funds on hand to meet its current obligations raise substantial
doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The
consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might
result from the outcome of that uncertainty. These consolidated financial
statements are included in PLD Telekom Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-K/A for
the year ended December 31, 1998, and are incorporated by reference in this
prospectus in reliance upon the report given and upon the authority of said firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Wireless Technology Corporations
Limited and subsidiary as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998, have been audited by
KPMG, independent auditors, as set forth in their report with respect to these
consolidated financial statements. The report of KPMG covering the December 31,
1998 consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph that
states that Wireless Technology Corporation Limited's parent, PLD Telekom Inc.,
does not presently have sufficient funds on hand to meet its current debt
obligations. Wireless Technology Corporations Limited is a guarantor of such
obligations. PLD Telekom Inc.'s failure to make payment in full when required
could result in a claim being made against Wireless Technology Corporations
Limited under its guaranty and a cross-default under and acceleration of other
debt obligations for which Wireless Technology Corporations Limited is also a
guarantor. These factors raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to
continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not
include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.
These consolidated financial statements are included in PLD Telekom Inc.'s
annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998, and are
incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the report given
and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of PLD Asset Leasing Limited as of December 31,
1997 and 1996 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December
31, 1997 have been audited by Moore Stephens, chartered accountants, as set
forth in their report with respect to these financial statements. These
financial statements are included in PLD Telekom Inc.'s annual report on Form
10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998, and are incorporated by reference
in this prospectus in reliance upon the report given and upon the authority of
said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other
documents and may not contain all the information that you may find important.
Therefore, you should review the full text of these documents. We have filed a
registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission
covering the exchange notes to be issued by Metromedia International Group in
this exchange offer, and this prospectus is part of our registration statement.
We have included copies of these contracts and other documents as exhibits to
our registration statement. For further information on Metromedia International
Group and the notes, you should refer to our registration statement and its
exhibits.
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We are currently subject to the periodic reportings and other informational
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, we file
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. You can inspect and copy any document that we file at the Securities
and Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and also at the regional offices of the Securities and
Exchange Commission located at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New
York 10048 and the Citicorp Center at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Reports, proxy statements and other information
regarding issuers that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including our filings, are also available to the public from the
Securities and Exchange web site at http://www.sec.gov.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ALLOWS OUR COMPANIES TO "INCORPORATE
BY REFERENCE" THE INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THEM, WHICH MEANS THAT WE CAN
DISCLOSE IMPORTANT BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT US TO YOU THAT IS
NOT INCLUDED IN OR DELIVERED WITH THIS PROSPECTUS BY REFERRING YOU TO THOSE
DOCUMENTS.
The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this
prospectus. Information that we file later with the Securities and Exchange
Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filing we will make
with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 following the date of this
prospectus and prior to the expiration date of this exchange offer:
METROMEDIA
(1) Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (Amendment No. 2) of Metromedia
International Group (file no. 001-5706) filed on August 31, 1999 for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998;
(2) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A (Amendment No. 1) of Metromedia
International Group (file no. 001-5706) filed on August 31, 1999 for the
fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1999;
(3) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A (Amendment No. 1) of Metromedia
International Group (file no. 001-5706) filed on August 31, 1999 for the
fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1999;
(4) Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 18, 1999 (file no. 001-5706) filed
on May 20, 1999; and
(5) Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 1999 (file no. 001-5706)
filed on August 4, 1999.
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PLD
(1) Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (Amendment No. 2) of PLD Telekom (file no.
000-20444) filed on August 31, 1999 for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1998;
(2) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A (Amendment No. 2) of PLD Telekom (file
no. 000-20444) filed on August 31, 1999 for the fiscal quarter ended
March 31, 1999;
(3) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A (Amendment No. 1) of PLD Telekom (file
no. 000-20444) filed on August 31, 1999 for the fiscal quarter ended June
30, 1999;
(4) Current Report on Form 8-K/A (Amendment No. 1) dated May 18, 1999 (file
no. 000-20444) filed on August 30, 1999.
This prospectus incorporates important business and financial information
about Metromedia International Group, Inc. that is included in our annual report
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as amended, and our quarterly
reports for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 1999 and June 30, 1999, as
amended. This prospectus also incorporates important business and financial
information about PLD Telekom Inc. that is included in PLD Telekom Inc.'s annual
report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as amended, and PLD Telekom
Inc.'s quarterly reports for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 1999 and June
30, 1999, as amended. These documents are being delivered to you with this
prospectus. We urge you to read these documents in their entirety. This
prospectus also incorporates documents by reference that are not presented in,
or delivered with, this prospectus. Copies of these documents, other than
exhibits to these documents that are not specifically incorporated by reference
in these documents, are available without charge to any person to whom this
prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request to Metromedia
International Group, Inc., c/o Metromedia Company, One Meadowlands Plaza, East
Rutherford, NJ 07073; Attention: General Counsel; tel: (201) 531-8000, or to PLD
Telekom Inc., 505 Park Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022; Attention:
Secretary; Tel.: (212) 527-3800.
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METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
EXCHANGE OFFER FOR $212,520,268 OF ITS
SERIES A 10 1/2% SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
------------------
PROSPECTUS
, 1999
------------------------
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representation other than those contained in this prospectus, and, if given or
made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to
which it relates or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy
these securities in any circumstances in which this offer or solicitation is
unlawful. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder
shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no
change in the affairs of Metromedia International Group since the date of this
prospectus or that the information contained in this prospectus is correct as of
any time subsequent to its date.
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the
fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person
in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no cause to believe the person's conduct was
unlawful.
Section 145(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that the person acted in any of the capacities described
above, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of this
action or suit if the person acted under similar standards as those described
above, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue
or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or
suit was brought shall determine that, despite the adjudication of liability but
in view of all the circumstances of the case, this person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to be indemnified for these expenses which the court shall
deem proper.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law further provides that to
the extent a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been
successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above or
in the defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, this person must be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by this person in connection therewith. Section 145 also provides that
this indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
the party seeking indemnification may be entitled and that the corporation may
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a director, officer, employee or
agent of the corporation or, at the corporation's request, as such in another
corporation, partnership, trust or other enterprise against any liability
asserted against this person or incurred by this person in any such capacity or
arising out of this person's status as such whether or not the corporation would
have the power to indemnify this person against these liabilities under section
145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
corporation in its certificate of incorporation may eliminate or limit personal
liability of members of its board of directors or governing body to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of a director's
fiduciary duty. However, no such provision may eliminate or limit the liability
of a director for breaching his duty of loyalty, failing to act in good faith,
engaging in intentional misconduct or knowingly violating a law, unlawfully
paying a dividend or approving a stock repurchase which was illegal, or
obtaining an improper personal benefit. A provision of this type has no effect
on the availability of equitable remedies, such as injunction or rescission, for
breach of fiduciary duty.
In accordance with section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
Metromedia International Group's restated certificate of incorporation provides
that Metromedia International Group will indemnify its officers and directors
against, among other things, any and all judgments,
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<PAGE>
fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlements and expenses paid or incurred by
virtue of the fact that this officer or director was acting in that capacity to
the extent not prohibited by law. In addition, as permitted by Section 102(b)(7)
of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Metromedia International Group's
restated certificate of incorporation contains a provision limiting the personal
liability of its directors for violations of their fiduciary duties to the
fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. The general
effect of this provision is to eliminate a director's personal liability for
monetary damages for actions involving a breach of his or her fiduciary duty of
care, including any action involving gross negligence. Also, in accordance with
the Delaware General Corporation Law and pursuant to its restated certificate of
incorporation, Metromedia International Group is authorized to purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of Metromedia International Group, is or was serving at its
request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability
asserted against this person and incurred by this person in that capacity, or
arising out of this person's status as such, whether or not Metromedia
International Group would have the power to indemnify this person against
liability under the Delaware General Corporation law.
Metromedia International Group has entered into agreements with certain of
its directors and officers which require it to indemnify each of these directors
and officers against, and to advance expenses incurred by each of them in the
defense of, any claim arising out of their employment to the fullest extent
permitted under law. These indemnification agreements also provide, among other
things, for (1) advancement by Metromedia International Group of expenses
incurred by the director or officer in defending certain litigation, (2) the
appointment of an independent legal counsel to determine whether the director or
officer is entitled to indemnity and (3) the continued maintenance by Metromedia
International Group of directors' and officers' liability insurance providing
each director or officer who is a party to any such agreement with $5 million of
primary coverage and an excess policy providing $5 million of additional
coverage. These indemnification agreements were approved by Metromedia
International Group's stockholders at their 1993 annual meeting.
Metromedia International Group is a party to a management agreement with
Metromedia Company dated November 1, 1995 pursuant to which Metromedia Company
provides it with management services, including legal, insurance, payroll and
financial accounting systems and cash management, tax and benefit plans in
return for a management fee. Metromedia International Group is also obligated to
reimburse Metromedia Company for all its out-of-pocket costs and expenses
incurred and advances paid by Metromedia Company in connection with the
agreement. Metromedia International Group has also agreed to indemnify and hold
harmless Metromedia Company from and against any and all damages, liabilities,
losses, claims, actions, suits, proceedings, fees, costs or expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs and expenses to any suit, proceeding
or investigation of any kind) imposed on, incurred by or asserted against
Metromedia Company in connection with the management agreement.
Under the indenture for the notes, the holders of these notes have agreed to
waive all liability for any obligations incurred by Metromedia International
Group under the notes or the indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of
or by reason of such obligations or their creation, against any incorporator,
director, officer, employee, stockholder or controlling person, as such, of
Metromedia International Group, and have agreed to the release of these persons
from any such liability.
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<PAGE>
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ----------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
2.1*** Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 18, 1999, by and among Metromedia International Group,
Moscow Communications, Inc. and PLD Telekom Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
for the event dated May 18, 1999).
2.3*** Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of September 27, 1995 by and among The
Actava Group Inc., Orion Pictures Corporation, MCEG Sterling Incorporated, Metromedia International
Telecommunications, Inc., OPG Merger Corp. and MITI Merger Corp. and exhibits thereto (incorporated
by reference from Metromedia International Group's current report on Form 8-K for the event occurring
on September 27, 1995).
2.5*** Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 31, 1996 by and among Metromedia International
Group, Inc., The Samuel Goldwyn Company and SGC Merger Corp. and exhibits thereto (incorporated by
reference from Metromedia International Group's current report on Form 8-K for the event dated
January 31, 1996).
3.1*** Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Metromedia International Group, Inc. (incorporated by
reference from Metromedia International Group's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
33-63853)).
3.2*** Restated By-laws of Metromedia International Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-63853)).
3.3*** Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Metromedia International
Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Schedule 14A, dated
August 6, 1996, for the annual meeting of stockholders dated August 29, 1996).
4.10** Form of Indenture for the 10 1/2% Senior Discount Notes due 2007 of Metromedia International Group,
between Metromedia International Group and U.S. Bank Trust National Association as Trustee.
4.11** Form of Series A and B 10 1/2% Senior Discount Notes due 2007 of Metromedia International Group.
5.1** Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison regarding the legality of the notes under New
York law.
8.1* Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison regarding certain federal income tax matters.
10.1*** 1982 Stock Option Plan of The Actava Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's proxy statement dated March 31, 1982).
10.2*** 1989 Stock Option Plan of The Actava Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's proxy statement dated March 31, 1989).
10.3*** 1969 Restricted Stock Plan of The Actava Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990).
10.4*** 1991 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International
Group's Annual Report on From 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).
10.5*** Amendment to 1991 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992).
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ----------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
10.6*** Snapper Power Equipment Profit Sharing Plan (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International
Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1987).
10.7*** Retirement Plan executed November 1, 1990, as amended effective January 1, 1989 (incorporated by
reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1990).
10.8*** Supplemental Retirement Plan of The Actava Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1983).
10.9*** Supplemental Executive Medical Reimbursement Plan (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990).
10.10*** Amendment to Supplemental Retirement Plan of The Actava Group Inc., effective April 1, 1992
(incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1991).
10.11*** 1992 Officer and Director Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).
10.12*** Form of Restricted Purchase Agreement between certain officers of The Actava Group Inc. and The
Actava Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).
10.14*** Form of Indemnification Agreement between Actava and certain of its directors and executive officers
(incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1993).
10.21*** Environmental Indemnity Agreement dated as of December 6, 1994 between The Actava Group Inc. and
Roadmaster (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Groups Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1994).
10.37*** Management Agreement dated November 1, 1995 between Metromedia Company and Metromedia International
Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995).
10.38*** The Metromedia International Group, Inc. 1996 Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Proxy Statement dated August 6, 1996).
10.39*** License Agreement dated November 1, 1995 between Metromedia Company and Metromedia International
Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995).
10.41*** Metromedia International Telecommunications, Inc. 1994 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996).
10.45*** Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 11, 1998 among Snapper, Inc. the lenders named therein
and Fleet Capital Corporation, as agent (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International
Group's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998).
10.46*** Limited Guaranty Agreement dated November 11, 1998 by Metromedia International Group, Inc. in favor
of Fleet Capital Corporation (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998).
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ----------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
10.47*** Amendment No. 1 to License Agreement dated June 13, 1996 between Metromedia Company and Metromedia
International Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).
10.48*** Amendment No. 1 to Management Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997 between Metromedia Company and
Metromedia International Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).
10.49*** Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 17, 1996 between Metromedia
International Group, Inc., MPCA Merger Corp. and Bradley Krevoy and Steven Stabler and Motion Picture
Corporation of America (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).
10.50*** Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of December 17, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997).
10.51*** Voting Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, by and among Metromedia International Group, News America
Incorporated, News PLD LLC and Metromedia Company (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.52*** Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, among Metromedia International Group, News
America Incorporated and News PLD LLC (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International
Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.53*** Agreement to Consent and Exchange, dated as of May 18, 1999, by and among Metromedia International
Group, PLD Telekom Inc. and certain note holders named therein (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.54*** Letter Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, by and among Metromedia International Group, The
Travelers Insurance Company and The Travelers Indemnity Company (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.55*** Letter Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, between Metromedia International Group and News America
Incorporated (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form
8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.56*** Modification Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, among PLD Telekom, Metromedia International Group,
Technocom Limited, Plicom Limited, Elite International Limited, Mark Klabin and Boris Antoniuk
(incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the
event dated May 18, 1999).
10.57*** Modification Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, among PLD Telekom, Metromedia International Group,
Technocom Limited, Elite International Limited and Boris Antoniuk (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.58*** Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, between PLD Telekom Inc. and Metromedia
International Group (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Current Report
on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.59*** Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, between Metromedia International Group and PLD Telekom
Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for
the event dated May 18, 1999).
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ----------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
12.1* Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
21.1*** List of Subsidiaries of Metromedia International Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1996).
23.1* Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2* Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.3* Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.4* Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.5* Consent of KPMG.
23.6* Consent of KPMG.
23.7* Consent of KPMG.
23.8* Consent of KPMG.
23.9* Consent of Moore Stephens.
23.10** Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 to
this Registration Statement).
23.11* Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 8.1 to
this Registration Statement).
24.1*** Power of Attorney.
25.1* Statement of Eligibility of U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, on Form T-1 with
respect to the Indenture between Metromedia International Group and U.S. Bank Trust National
Association, as Trustee.
99.1** Form of Letter of Transmittal.
99.2** Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
99.3** Form of Exchange Agent Agreement.
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Filed herewith
** To be filed by Amendment
*** Previously Filed
(b) Financial Data Schedules
Schedule II--Condensed financial information of the registrant, and Schedule
V--Valuation and qualifying accounts are incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998.
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 20, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
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<PAGE>
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if,
in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in
the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
registration statement.
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or
any material change to such information in this registration statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof; and
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
The undersigned registrants hereby undertake as follows: that prior to any
public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c),
Metromedia International Group undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will
contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with
respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to
the information called for by the other Items of the applicable form.
The undersigned registrants undertake that every prospectus (i) that is
filed pursuant to the paragraph immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to
meet the requirements of section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is
used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be
filed as part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used
until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (i) to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This undertaking includes information contained in
documents filed subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement
through the date of responding to the request.
II-7
<PAGE>
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in this registration statement when it became effective.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-8
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to registration statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New
York, State of New York on the 2nd day of September, 1999.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ SILVIA KESSEL
------------------------------------------
Name: Silvia Kessel
Title: Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Director
</TABLE>
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated, on September 2, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE
- ------------------------------ --------------------------
<C> <S>
*
- ------------------------------ Chairman of the Board of
John W. Kluge Directors
Vice Chairman of the Board
* of Directors, President
- ------------------------------ and Chief Executive
Stuart Subotnick Officer (Principal
Executive Officer)
Executive Vice President,
/s/ SILVIA KESSEL Chief Financial Officer,
- ------------------------------ Treasurer and Director
Silvia Kessel (Principal Financial
Officer)
* Executive Vice President,
- ------------------------------ General Counsel,
Arnold L. Wadler Secretary and Director
*
- ------------------------------ Vice President (Principal
Vincent D. Sasso, Jr. Accounting Officer)
*
- ------------------------------ Director
John P. Imlay, Jr.
*
- ------------------------------ Director
Clark A. Johnson
</TABLE>
II-9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE
- ------------------------------ --------------------------
<C> <S>
*
- ------------------------------ Director
Carl E. Sanders
*
- ------------------------------ Director
Richard J. Sherwin
*
- ------------------------------ Director
Leonard White
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
*By: /s/ SILVIA KESSEL
-------------------------------
Name: Silvia Kessel
Title: Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
II-10
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ----------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
2.1*** Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 18, 1999, by and among Metromedia International Group,
Moscow Communications, Inc. and PLD Telekom Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
for the event dated May 18, 1999).
2.3*** Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of September 27, 1995 by and among The
Actava Group Inc., Orion Pictures Corporation, MCEG Sterling Incorporated, Metromedia International
Telecommunications, Inc., OPG Merger Corp. and MITI Merger Corp. and exhibits thereto (incorporated
by reference from Metromedia International Group's current report on Form 8-K for the event occurring
on September 27, 1995).
2.5*** Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 31, 1996 by and among Metromedia International
Group, Inc., The Samuel Goldwyn Company and SGC Merger Corp. and exhibits thereto (incorporated by
reference from Metromedia International Group's current report on Form 8-K for the event dated
January 31, 1996).
3.1*** Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Metromedia International Group, Inc. (incorporated by
reference from Metromedia International Group's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
33-63853)).
3.2*** Restated By-laws of Metromedia International Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-63853)).
3.3*** Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Metromedia International
Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Schedule 14A, dated
August 6, 1996, for the annual meeting of stockholders dated August 29, 1996.
4.10** Form of Indenture for the 10 1/2% Senior Discount Notes due 2007 of Metromedia International Group,
between Metromedia International Group and U.S. Bank Trust National Association as Trustee.
4.11** Form of Series A and B 10 1/2% Senior Discount Notes due 2007 of Metromedia International Group.
5.1** Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison regarding the legality of the notes under New
York law.
8.1* Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison regarding certain federal income tax matters.
10.1*** 1982 Stock Option Plan of The Actava Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's proxy statement dated March 31, 1982).
10.2*** 1989 Stock Option Plan of The Actava Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's proxy statement dated March 31, 1989).
10.3*** 1969 Restricted Stock Plan of The Actava Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990).
10.4*** 1991 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International
Group's Annual Report on From 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ----------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
10.5*** Amendment to 1991 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992).
10.6*** Snapper Power Equipment Profit Sharing Plan (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International
Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1987).
10.7*** Retirement Plan executed November 1, 1990, as amended effective January 1, 1989 (incorporated by
reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1990).
10.8*** Supplemental Retirement Plan of The Actava Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1983).
10.9*** Supplemental Executive Medical Reimbursement Plan (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990).
10.10*** Amendment to Supplemental Retirement Plan of The Actava Group Inc., effective April 1, 1992
(incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1991).
10.11*** 1992 Officer and Director Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).
10.12*** Form of Restricted Purchase Agreement between certain officers of The Actava Group Inc. and The
Actava Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).
10.14*** Form of Indemnification Agreement between Actava and certain of its directors and executive officers
(incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1993).
10.21*** Environmental Indemnity Agreement dated as of December 6, 1994 between The Actava Group Inc. and
Roadmaster (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Groups Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1994).
10.37*** Management Agreement dated November 1, 1995 between Metromedia Company and Metromedia International
Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995).
10.38*** The Metromedia International Group, Inc. 1996 Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Proxy Statement dated August 6, 1996).
10.39*** License Agreement dated November 1, 1995 between Metromedia Company and Metromedia International
Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995).
10.41*** Metromedia International Telecommunications, Inc. 1994 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ----------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
10.45*** Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 11, 1998 among Snapper, Inc. the lenders named therein
and Fleet Capital Corporation, as agent (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International
Group's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998).
10.46*** Limited Guaranty Agreement dated November 11, 1998 by Metromedia International Group, Inc. in favor
of Fleet Capital Corporation (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998).
10.47*** Amendment No. 1 to License Agreement dated June 13, 1996 between Metromedia Company and Metromedia
International Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).
10.48*** Amendment No. 1 to Management Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997 between Metromedia Company and
Metromedia International Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).
10.49*** Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 17, 1996 between Metromedia
International Group, Inc., MPCA Merger Corp. and Bradley Krevoy and Steven Stabler and Motion Picture
Corporation of America (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).
10.50*** Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of December 17, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997).
10.51*** Voting Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, by and among Metromedia International Group, News America
Incorporated, News PLD LLC and Metromedia Company (incorporated by reference from Metromedia
International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.52*** Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, among Metromedia International Group, News
America Incorporated and News PLD LLC (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International
Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.53*** Agreement to Consent and Exchange, dated as of May 18, 1999, by and among Metromedia International
Group, PLD Telekom Inc. and certain note holders named therein (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.54*** Letter Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, by and among Metromedia International Group, The
Travelers Insurance Company and The Travelers Indemnity Company (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.55*** Letter Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, between Metromedia International Group and News America
Incorporated (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form
8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.56*** Modification Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, among PLD Telekom, Metromedia International Group,
Technocom Limited, Plicom Limited, Elite International Limited, Mark Klabin and Boris Antoniuk
(incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the
event dated May 18, 1999).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ----------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
10.57*** Modification Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, among PLD Telekom, Metromedia International Group,
Technocom Limited, Elite International Limited and Boris Antoniuk (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.58*** Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, between PLD Telekom Inc. and Metromedia
International Group (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Current Report
on Form 8-K for the event dated May 18, 1999).
10.59*** Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, between Metromedia International Group and PLD Telekom
Inc. (incorporated by reference from Metromedia International Group's Current Report on Form 8-K for
the event dated May 18, 1999).
12.1* Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
21.1*** List of Subsidiaries of Metromedia International Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from
Metromedia International Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal yeart ended March 31,
1996).
23.1* Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2* Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.3* Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.4* Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.5* Consent of KPMG.
23.6* Consent of KPMG.
23.7* Consent of KPMG.
23.8* Consent of KPMG.
23.9* Consent of Moore Stephens.
23.10** Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 to
this Registration Statement).
23.11* Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 8.1 to
this Registration Statement).
24.1*** Power of Attorney.
25.1* Statement of Eligibility of U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, on Form T-1 with
respect to the Indenture between Metromedia International Group and U.S. Bank Trust National
Association, as Trustee.
99.1** Form of Letter of Transmittal.
99.2** Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
99.3** Form of Exchange Agent Agreement.
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Filed herewith
** To be filed by Amendment
*** Previously Filed
<PAGE>
Exhibit 8.1
[PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LETTERHEAD]
September 2, 1999
Metromedia International Group, Inc.
One Meadowlands Plaza
East Rutherford, New Jersey 07073-2131
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement On Form S-4
-----------------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Metromedia Group International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company") in connection with the offer to exchange
$212,520,268 aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Company's Series A
10 1/2% Series B Senior Discount Notes due 2007 (the "Exchange Notes"), which
have been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), for a like aggregate principal amount at maturity of the
Company's outstanding Series A 10 1/2% Senior Discount Notes due 2007 (the
"Exchange Offer").
We are giving this opinion in connection with Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (the "Registration
Statement"), relating to the registration by the Company of the Exchange
Notes to be offered in the Exchange Offer, filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the
Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
thereunder. Capitalized terms used in this opinion but not
<PAGE>
Metromedia International Group, Inc. 2
otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the
Registration Statement.
In rendering our opinion, we have examined originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such agreements and
other documents as we have deemed relevant and necessary and we have made such
investigations of law as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinion
expressed below. In our examination, we have assumed the authenticity of
original documents, the accuracy of copies and the genuineness of signatures. We
understand and assume that (i) each such agreement represents the valid and
binding obligation of the respective parties thereto, enforceable in accordance
with its respective terms and the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter thereof, (ii) the parties to each agreement have
complied, and will comply, with all of their respective covenants, agreements
and undertakings contained therein and (iii) the transactions provided for by
each agreement were and will be carried out in accordance with their terms.
Our opinion is based upon existing United States federal income and
estate tax laws, regulations, administrative pronouncements and judicial
decisions. All such authorities are subject to change, either prospectively or
retroactively, and any such change could affect our opinion.
The opinion set forth herein has no binding effect on the United States
Internal Revenue Service or the courts of the United States. No assurance can be
given that, if the matter were contested, a court would agree with the opinion
set forth herein.
The discussion set forth under the caption "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the Registration Statement constitutes our
opinion with respect to such matters. While that description discusses the
material anticipated United States federal income tax consequences applicable to
certain holders, it does not purport to discuss all United States federal income
tax considerations and our opinion is limited to those United States federal
income tax considerations specifically discussed therein.
In giving the foregoing opinion, we express no opinion other than as to
the federal income tax laws of the United States of America.
We are furnishing this letter in our capacity as counsel to the
Company. This letter is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise referred
to for any other purpose, except as set forth below.
<PAGE>
Metromedia International Group, Inc. 3
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 8.1 to the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we come
within the category of persons whose consent is required by the Securities Act
or by the rules and regulations promulgated under it.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
--------------------------------------------
PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 12.1
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
-------------------------
SIX MONTHS SIX MONTHS ENDED
ENDED JUNE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
30, DECEMBER 31, -------------------- -------------------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
----------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EARNINGS:
Pretax loss from continuing operations
before minority interests and equity in
losses of unconsolidated investees
attributable to common stockholders..... $ (46,642) $ (172,768) $ (29,095) $ (49,866) $(143,059) $ (96,207) $ (64,563)
Income distributions from less than
fifty-percent-owned joint ventures...... 425 1,964 425 1,665 1,964 940 300
----------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Adjusted loss........................ $ (46,217) $ (170,804) $ (28,670) $ (48,201) $(141,095) $ (95,267) $ (64,263)
----------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
----------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
FIXED CHARGES:
Interest expense, including amortization
of debt discount........................ $ 17,712 $ 35,206 $ 6,929 $ 9,560 $ 16,331 $ 20,922 $ 19,090
Portion of rent expense representative of
the interest factor..................... 1,239 2,201 938 954 1,934 1,572 435
Preferred stock dividend requirement..... 7,504 15,008 7,504 7,504 15,008 4,336 --
----------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total fixed charges.................. $ 26,455 $ 52,415 $ 15,371 $ 18,018 $ 33,273 $ 26,830 $ 19,525
----------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
----------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges....... (A) (A) (A) (A) (A) (A) (A)
----------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
----------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED
FEBRUARY 28,
------------
1995 1995
--------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
EARNINGS:
Pretax loss from continuing operations
before minority interests and equity in
losses of unconsolidated investees
attributable to common stockholders..... $ (30,086) $ (17,356)
Income distributions from less than
fifty-percent-owned joint ventures...... -- --
--------- ------------
Adjusted loss........................ $ (30,086) $ (17,356)
--------- ------------
--------- ------------
FIXED CHARGES:
Interest expense, including amortization
of debt discount........................ $ 5,935 $ 1,109
Portion of rent expense representative of
the interest factor..................... 303 205
Preferred stock dividend requirement..... -- --
--------- ------------
Total fixed charges.................. $ 6,238 $ 1,314
--------- ------------
--------- ------------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges....... (A) (A)
--------- ------------
--------- ------------
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
(A) For purposes of this computation, earnings are defined as pre-tax earnings
or loss from continuing operations of Metromedia before adjustment for
minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries or income or loss from
equity investees attributable to common stockholders plus (i) fixed charges
and (ii) distributed income of equity investees. Fixed charges are the sum
of (i) interest expensed and capitalized, (ii) amortization of deferred
financing costs, premium and debt discounts, (iii) the portion of operating
lease rental expense that is representative of the interest factor (deemed
to be one-third) and (iv) dividends on preferred stock. The ratio of
earnings to fixed charges of Metromedia was less than 1.00 for each of the
six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 and for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and for the year ended February 28, 1995, thus
earnings available for fixed charges were inadequate to cover fixed charges
for such periods. The deficiency in earnings to fixed charges for the six
months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 and for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and for the year ended February 28, 1995 were:
$28.7 million, $48.2 million, $141.1 million, $95.3 million, $64.3 million,
$30.1 million and $17.4 million, respectively. On a pro forma basis the
ratio of earnings to fixed charges of Metromedia International Group pro
forma combined was less than 1.00 for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and
for the year ended December 31, 1998 thus pro forma earnings available for
fixed charges were inadequate to cover fixed charges for such periods. The
pro forma combined deficiency in earnings to fixed charges for the six
months ended June 30, 1999 and for the year ended December 31, 1998 were
$46.2 million and $170.8 million, respectively.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
Metromedia International Group, Inc.:
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to
the references to our firm under the headings "Experts" and "Summary
Consolidated Financial Data" in the registration statement.
/s/ KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP
New York, New York
August 27, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.2
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
PLD Telekom Inc.:
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.
Our report dated March 30, 1999 contains an explanatory paragraph that
states the Company has suffered recurring losses, has a working capital
deficiency, and does not presently have sufficient funds on hand to meet its
current debt obligations. These factors raise substantial doubt the Company's
ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do
not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.
/s/ KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP
New York, New York
August 27, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.3
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
PLD Telekom Inc.:
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.
/s/ KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants
Calgary, Canada
August 27, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.4
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
PLD Capital Asset (U.S.) Inc.:
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.
Our report dated March 30, 1999 contains an explanatory paragraph that
states that the Company's parent, PLD Telekom Inc. (PLD) does not presently have
sufficient funds on hand to meet its current debt obligations. PLD's failure to
make payment in full when required could result in a cross-default under and
acceleration of other debt obligations for which the Company is a guarantor.
These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as
a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that
might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP
New York, New York
August 27, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.5
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
Baltic Communications Limited:
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.
Our report dated March 30, 1999 contains an explanatory paragraph that
states that the Company's parent, PLD Telekom Inc. (PLD) does not presently have
sufficient funds on hand to meet its current debt obligations. The Company is a
guarantor of such obligations. PLD's failure to make payment in full when
required could result in a claim being made against the Company under its
guaranty and a cross-default under and acceleration of other debt obligations
for which the Company is also a guarantor. These factors raise substantial doubt
about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial
statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of
this uncertainty.
/s/ KPMG
KPMG
St. Petersburg, Russia
August 27, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.6
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
NWE Capital (Cyprus) Ltd.:
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.
Our report dated March 30, 1999 contains an explanatory paragraph that
states that the Company's parent, PLD Telekom Inc. (PLD) does not presently have
sufficient funds on hand to meet its current debt obligations. PLD's failure to
make payment in full when required could result in a cross-default under and
acceleration of other debt obligations for which the Company is a guarantor.
These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as
a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ KPMG
KPMG
St. Petersburg, Russia
August 27, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.7
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
Technocom Limited:
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.
Our report dated March 30, 1999 contains an explanatory paragraph that
states that the Company has suffered recurring losses, has a working capital
deficiency, and does not presently have sufficient funds on hand to meet its
current obligations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's
ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do
not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.
/s/ KPMG
KPMG
Chartered Accountants
Dublin, Ireland
August 27, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.8
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
Wireless Technology Corporations Limited.:
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.
Our report dated February 17, 1999 contains an explanatory paragraph that
states that the Company's parent, PLD Telekom Inc. (PLD) does not presently have
sufficient funds on hand to meet its current debt obligations. The Company is a
guarantor of such obligations. PLD's failure to make payment in full when
required could result in a claim being made against the Company under its
guaranty and a cross-default under and acceleration of other debt obligations
for which the Company is also a guarantor. These factors raise substantial doubt
about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated
financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the
outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ KPMG
KPMG
Almaty, Kazakhstan
August 27, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.9
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
PLD Asset Leasing Ltd.
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.
/s/ Moore Stephens
Moore Stephens
Chartered Accountants
Nicosia, Cyprus
August 27, 1999
<PAGE>
Exhibit 25.1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------
FORM T-1
Statement of Eligibility Under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of a Corporation
Designated to Act as Trustee
U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)
United States 41-0257700
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
U.S. Bank Trust Center
180 East Fifth Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
METROMEDIA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 58-0971455
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
One Meadowlands Plaza
East Rutherford, New Jersey 07073-2137
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
10 1/4% SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
(Title of the Indenture Securities)
<PAGE>
GENERAL
-------
1. GENERAL INFORMATION Furnish the following information as to the
Trustee.
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
which it is subject.
Comptroller of the Currency
Washington, D.C.
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
Yes
2. AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR AND UNDERWRITERS If the obligor or any
underwriter for the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe
each such affiliation.
None
See Note following Item 16.
Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee's
knowledge the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which
the Trustee acts as Trustee.
16. LIST OF EXHIBITS List below all exhibits filed as a part of this
statement of eligibility and qualification.
1. Copy of Articles of Association.*
2. Copy of Certificate of Authority to Commence Business.*
3. Authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust
powers (included in Exhibits 1 and 2; no separate
instrument).*
4. Copy of existing By-Laws.*
5. Copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. N/A.
6. The consents of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the
act.
7. Copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee
published pursuant to law or the requirements of its
supervising or examining authority is filed in paper format
pursuant to Form SE.
* Incorporated by reference to Registration Number 22-25656.
<PAGE>
NOTE
The answers to this statement insofar as such answers relate to what
persons have been underwriters for any securities of the obligors within three
years prior to the date of filing this statement, or what persons are owners of
10% or more of the voting securities of the obligors, or affiliates, are based
upon information furnished to the Trustee by the obligors. While the Trustee has
no reason to doubt the accuracy of any such information, it cannot accept any
responsibility therefor.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
Trustee, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, an Association organized and
existing under the laws of the United States, has duly caused this statement of
eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, and its seal to be hereunto affixed and attested, all
in the City of Saint Paul and State of Minnesota on the 26th day of August,
1999.
U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
/s/ Richard H. Prokosch
----------------------------------
Richard H. Prokosch
Assistant Vice President
/s/ Harry H. Hall
- ----------------------------
Harry H. Hall
Assistant Secretary
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 6
CONSENT
In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
the undersigned, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that
reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or
District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and
Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.
Dated: August 26, 1999
U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
/s/ Richard H. Prokosch
------------------------------------
Richard H. Prokosch
Assistant Vice President
