<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
------------------------------------
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 3)(1)
About.com, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $.001 per share
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)
003736105
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(CUSIP Number)
Charles McCurdy
President
PRIMEDIA Inc.
745 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10151
(212) 745-0100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices
and Communications)
December 13, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box
/ /.
NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all
exhibits, should be filed with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a)
for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
(Continued on the following pages)
(Page 1 of 22 Pages)
(1) The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 2 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
PRIMEDIA Inc. 13-3647573
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) |X|
(b) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
OO (see Item 3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
5 PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
6 Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
3,373,706
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 1,798,062**
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
3,373,706
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
5,171,768
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
26.16%***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
14 CO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
** Neither the filing of this Schedule 13D nor any of its contents shall
be deemed to constitute an admission that PRIMEDIA Inc. is the beneficial owner
of any of the Company Common Stock (as defined below) for purposes of Section
13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any other
purpose, and such beneficial ownership is expressly disclaimed.
*** Based on 19,766,665 shares of Company Common Stock outstanding on
November 10, 2000.
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or otherwise
subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to
all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 4 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
MA Associates, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) | |
(b) |X|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 0
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
0
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
Beneficial ownership of all shares disclaimed by MA Associates, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
Not applicable (see 11 above)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or otherwise
subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to
all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 5 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
FP Associates, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) | |
(b) |X|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 0
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
0
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
Beneficial ownership of all shares disclaimed by FP Associates, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
Not applicable (see 11 above)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or otherwise
subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to
all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 6 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
Magazine Associates, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) | |
(b) |X|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 0
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
0
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
Beneficial ownership of all shares disclaimed by Magazine
Associates, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
Not applicable (see 11 above)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or otherwise
subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to
all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 7 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
Publishing Associates, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) | |
(b) |X|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 0
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
0
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
Beneficial ownership of all shares disclaimed by Publishing
Associates, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
Not applicable (see 11 above)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or otherwise
subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to
all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 8 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
Channel One Associates, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) | |
(b) |X|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 0
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
0
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
Beneficial ownership of all shares disclaimed by Channel One
Associates, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
Not applicable (see 11 above)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall
not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or
otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be
subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 9 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
KKR Partners II, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) | |
(b) |X|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 0
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
0
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
Beneficial ownership of all shares disclaimed by KKR Partners II,
L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
Not applicable (see 11 above)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or otherwise
subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to
all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 10 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
KKR Associates, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) | |
(b) |X|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
New York
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 0
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
0
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
Beneficial ownership of all shares disclaimed by KKR Associates,
L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
Not applicable (see 11 above)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall
not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or
otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be
subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 11 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
KKR 1996 Fund, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) |X|
(b) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
OO (see Item 3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
3,273,706
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 1,798,062**
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
3,273,706
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
5,171,768
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
26.16%***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
** Neither the filing of this Schedule 13D nor any of its contents shall
be deemed to constitute an admission that KKR 1996 Fund, L.P. is the beneficial
owner of any of the Company Common Stock (as defined below) for purposes of
Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any
other purpose, and such beneficial ownership is expressly disclaimed.
*** Based on 19,766,665 shares of Company Common Stock outstanding on
November 10, 2000.
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall
not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or
otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be
subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 13 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
Abra LLC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) |X|
(b) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
OO (see Item 3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21 SOLE VOTING POWER
3,373,706
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 22 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 1,798,062**
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 23 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
3,373,706
---------------------------------------------------------------
24 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
5,171,768
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
26.16%***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
OO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
** Neither the filing of this Schedule 13D nor any of its contents
shall be deemed to constitute an admission that Abra LLC is the beneficial owner
of any of the Company Common Stock (as defined below) for purposes of Section
13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any other
purpose, and such beneficial ownership is expressly disclaimed.
*** Based on 19,766,665 shares of Company Common Stock outstanding
on November 10, 2000.
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall
not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or
otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be
subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 15 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
KKR Associates 1996 L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) | |
(b) |X|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 0
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
0
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
Beneficial ownership of all shares disclaimed by KKR Associates 1996 L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
Not applicable (see 11 above)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall
not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Act or
otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be
subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 003736105 Schedule 13D Page 16 of 22 Pages
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSONS
KKR 1996 GP LLC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) | |
(b) |X|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 0
EACH ---------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
0
---------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
Beneficial ownership of all shares disclaimed by KKR 1996 GP LLC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
Not applicable (see 11 above)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
OO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO SCHEDULE 13D
This Statement on Schedule 13D relates to shares of Common Stock,
par value $.001 per share ("Company Common Stock"), of About.com, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), as previously filed on November 8,
2000, and amended by Amendment 1 to the Schedule 13D, as previously filed on
December 7, 2000, and Amendment 2 to the Schedule 13D, as previously filed on
December 13, 2000, by PRIMEDIA Inc., a Delaware corporation ("PRIMEDIA") for
and on behalf of itself, MA Associates, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
("MA Associates"), FP Associates, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("FP
Associates"), Magazine Associates, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
("Magazine Associates"), Publishing Associates, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership ("Publishing Associates"), Channel One Associates, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership ("Channel One Associates"), KKR Partners II,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Partners"), KKR Associates, L.P., a
New York limited partnership ("KKR Associates"), which is the sole general
partner of MA Associates, FP Associates, Magazine Associates, Publishing
Associates, Channel One Associates and Partners, Abra LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company ("Abra LLC"), KKR 1996 Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership which is the sole member of Abra LLC ("KKR 1996 Fund"), KKR
Associates 1996 L.P., a Delaware limited partnership which is the sole
general partner of KKR 1996 Fund ("KKR Associates 1996"), and KKR 1996 GP
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company which is the sole general partner
of KKR Associates 1996 ("KKR 1996 LLC") (MA Associates, FP Associates,
Magazine Associates, Publishing Associates, Channel One Associates, Partners,
KKR Associates, Abra LLC, KKR 1996 Fund, KKR Associates 1996 and KKR 1996
LLC, collectively, the "Majority Stockholders") is hereby amended and
restated with respect to the items set forth below. Capitalized terms used
herein without definition have meanings ascribed to such terms in Schedule
13D.
ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.
The consideration to be used to purchase the shares of Company
Common Stock listed in Row 7 of the cover page of this Statement on Schedule 13D
is the provision by PRIMEDIA of advertising and promotional services with a
total value of $72,000,000. No other funds or other consideration were used to
purchase any of the other securities reported on this Schedule 13D. The shares
of Company Common Stock listed in Row 8 of the cover page of this Statement on
Schedule 13D are being reported because voting rights were acquired in
connection with the transactions described in Item 4 below.
As more fully described in Item 4 hereof, the funds used by Abra
LLC and PRIMEDIA in connection with the purchase of an aggregate of 1,356,900
shares of Company Common Stock in the open market were provided from general
funds available to Abra LLC and PRIMEDIA.
ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF THE TRANSACTION.
PRIMEDIA acquired the voting rights described in this Item 4 in
order to effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (as
described below). The Merger Agreement is filed as an exhibit hereto (as
indicated below) and incorporated by reference herein.
On October 29, 2000, the Company entered into a definitive agreement
(the "Merger Agreement") relating to the merger of Abracadabra Acquisition
Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of PRIMEDIA
("Merger Sub"), with and into the Company (the "Merger"), with the Company
continuing as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation").
In the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of Company Common
Stock not owned or held by the Company will be converted into 2.3409 shares of
common stock, par value $.01 per share, of PRIMEDIA.
Page 17 of 22
<PAGE>
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the officers of the Company
immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will be the officers of
the Surviving Corporation, and the directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to
the effective time of the Merger will be the directors of the Surviving
Corporation.
The Merger is subject to the approval of the Company's stockholders
as well as receipt of required regulatory approvals, approval for listing on the
New York Stock Exchange and other customary conditions. The issuance of stock by
PRIMEDIA is subject to its stockholders' approval, a majority of whom have
already agreed to approve the issuance. There can be no assurance that the other
required approvals will be obtained in a timely fashion, if at all, or, in the
case of regulatory approvals, if obtained, will not contain certain conditions.
In connection with the Merger, it is expected that the Company
Common Stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq National Market and will become
eligible for termination of registration under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
Upon closing of the Merger, it is anticipated that Scott Kurnit, the
Company's Chief Executive Officer, will become a member of the Board of
Directors and Chief Internet Officer of PRIMEDIA.
In consideration of the Merger Agreement, certain beneficial owners
of Company Common Stock (the "Shareholders") have entered into a Voting
Agreement with PRIMEDIA and Merger Sub (the "Voting Agreement") pursuant to
which, among other things, the Shareholders (i) agreed to vote (or cause to be
voted) all of the shares of Company Common Stock beneficially owned by such
Shareholders on the record date of such vote or action (a) in favor of the
Merger, the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and the approval of
the terms thereof and each of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement; and (b) against any amendment of the Company's certificate of
incorporation or bylaws which amendment would prevent or materially impede,
interfere with or delay the Merger, the Merger Agreement or any of the other
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and (ii) appointed the
President of PRIMEDIA and the Vice Chairman and Secretary of PRIMEDIA, and any
other designee of PRIMEDIA, each of them individually, such Shareholder's proxy
and attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution) to vote or act by written
consent with respect to such Shareholder's shares of Company Common Stock. The
Voting Agreement terminates on the earlier of (i) the effective time of the
Merger and (ii) the termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms.
On October 29, 2000, the Shareholders beneficially owned 1,798,062
shares of Company Common Stock, which amounted to 9.74% of the total outstanding
shares of Company Common Stock. Of the shares owned, an aggregate of 374,974 are
represented by options to acquire Company Common Stock which were either
exercisable on October 29, 2000 or become exercisable within 60 days thereafter.
On October 29, 2000 the Company entered into a definitive agreement
(the "First Ads for Equity Agreement") with PRIMEDIA, pursuant to which the
Company will issue 403,361 shares of Company Common Stock to PRIMEDIA in
consideration of the provision by PRIMEDIA of advertising and promotional
services through December 31, 2001, with a total value of $14,400,000. On
November 8, 2000, 403,361 shares of Company Common Stock were issued to PRIMEDIA
pursuant to the First Ads for Equity Agreement.
Page 18 of 22
<PAGE>
In the event the First Ads for Equity Agreement is terminated,
PRIMEDIA must return the portion of Company Common Stock relating to unused
services. In the event the First Ads for Equity Agreement is terminated upon a
material breach by PRIMEDIA, PRIMEDIA must return the "Unvested Shares" as
defined in the First Ads for Equity Agreement.
On October 29, 2000, the Company entered into a definitive agreement
(the "Second Ads for Equity Agreement") with PRIMEDIA, pursuant to which the
Company will issue 1,613,445 shares of Company Common Stock to PRIMEDIA in
consideration of the provision by PRIMEDIA of advertising and promotional
services beginning on January 1, 2002 and continuing through December 31, 2005,
with a total value of $57,600,000. On December 5, 2000, 1,613,445 shares of
Company Common Stock were issued to PRIMEDIA pursuant to the Second Ads for
Equity Agreement.
In the event the Second Ads for Equity Agreement is terminated,
PRIMEDIA must return the portion of Company Common Stock relating to unused
services. In the event the Second Ads for Equity Agreement is terminated upon a
material breach by PRIMEDIA, PRIMEDIA must return the "Unvested Shares" as
defined in the Second Ads for Equity Agreement.
The foregoing summaries of the Merger Agreement, the Voting
Agreement, the First Ads for Equity Agreement and the Second Ads for Equity
Agreement do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in
their entirety by reference to, the provisions of the agreements filed as
exhibits hereto. A copy of (a) the Merger Agreement is attached hereto as
Exhibit 2, (b) the Voting Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 3, (c) the
First Ads for Equity Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 4, and (d) the
Second Ads for Equity Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 5.
On December 6, 2000, KKR 1996 Fund decided to approach holders of
Company Common Stock to negotiate private purchases of Company Common Stock in
an undetermined amount.
From December 11, 2000 to December 14, 2000, Abra LLC and
PRIMEDIA purchased an aggregate of 1,356,900 shares of Company Common Stock
for an aggregate purchase price of $32,692,075 in cash. Of those shares, Abra
LLC bought 1,206,138 and PRIMEDIA bought 150,762.
Page 19 of 22
<PAGE>
The Reporting Persons may, from time to time, acquire additional
Company Common Stock in the open market or through privately negotiated
transactions.
Except as set forth above, the Reporting Persons have no present
plans or proposals which relate to or would result in any actions described in
subparagraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.
ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
(a) The responses of the Reporting Persons to Rows (7) through (13)
of the cover page of this statement on Schedule 13D are incorporated herein by
reference. As of October 29, 2000, the Reporting Persons did not own any
shares of Company Common Stock.
Except as disclosed in this Item 5(a), none of the Reporting
Persons, nor, to the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, any of the other
persons named in Item 2 or on Schedule A hereto, beneficially owns any shares of
Company Common Stock.
(b) The responses of the Reporting Persons to (i) Rows (7) through
(13) of the cover page of this statement on Schedule 13D and (ii) Item 5(a)
hereof are incorporated herein by reference. As further described in Item 4,
PRIMEDIA, Merger Sub and the Shareholders have entered into the Voting Agreement
with respect to the voting of shares of Company Common Stock. Pursuant to the
terms of such arrangement, PRIMEDIA may be deemed to have the power to direct
the vote with respect to the 1,798,062 shares of Company Common Stock
beneficially owned by the Shareholders. In addition, PRIMEDIA was issued 403,361
shares of Company Common Stock in connection with the First Ads for Equity
Agreement and 1,613,445 shares of Company Common Stock in connection with the
Second Ads for Equity Agreement. KKR 1996 Fund's decision to acquire Company
Common Stock as described in Item 4 may mean that it and PRIMEDIA are a "group"
for purposes of Rule 13d-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
As further described in Item 4, PRIMEDIA and Abra LLC purchased an
aggregate of 1,356,900 shares of Company Common Stock in the open market for an
aggregate purchase price of $32,692,075. These acquisitions of Company Common
Stock as described in Item 4 may mean that Abra LLC, PRIMEDIA and the other
Reporting Persons are a "group" for purposes of Rule 13d-1 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Except as disclosed in this Item 5(b), none of the Reporting
Persons, nor, to the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, any of the other
persons named in Item 2 or on Schedule A hereto, presently has the power to vote
or to direct the vote or to dispose or direct the disposition of any of shares
of Company Common Stock or other securities of the Company which they may be
deemed to beneficially own.
(c) Except as disclosed in Item 4 hereof, none of the Reporting
Persons, nor, to the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, any of the other
persons named in Item 2 or on Schedule A hereto, has effected any transaction in
the Company Common Stock during the past 60 days.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) Not applicable.
Neither the filing of this Schedule 13D or any amendment thereto,
nor anything contained herein is intended as, or should be construed as, an
admission that the Reporting Persons are the "beneficial owner" of any shares of
Company Common Stock or other securities of the Company.
Page 20 of 22
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief,
I certify that the information set forth in this Schedule 13D is true, complete
and correct.
PRIMEDIA INC.
By: /s/ Charles McCurdy
----------------------------------------
Name: Charles McCurdy
Title: President
KKR 1996 FUND, L.P.
By: KKR 1996 Fund, L.P.
Its Managing Member
By: KKR Associates 1996 L.P.
Its General Partner
By: /s/ Perry Golkin
----------------------------------------
Member
KKR ASSOCIATES 1996 L.P.
By: KKR 1996 GP LLC
Its General Partner
By: /s/ Perry Golkin
----------------------------------------
Member
ABRA LLC
By: KKR 1996 Fund, L.P.
Its Managing Member
By: KKR Associates 1996 L.P.
Its General Partner
By: KKR 1996 GP LLC
Its General Partner
By: /s/ Perry Golkin
----------------------------------------
Member
KKR 1996 GP LLC
By: /s/ Perry Golkin
----------------------------------------
Member
MA ASSOCIATES, L.P.
By: KKR Associates, L.P.
Its General Partner
By: /s/ Perry Golkin
----------------------------------------
A General Partner
Page 21 of 22
<PAGE>
FP ASSOCIATES, L.P.
By: KKR Associates, L.P.
Its General Partner
By: /s/ Perry Golkin
----------------------------------------
A General Partner
MAGAZINE ASSOCIATES, L.P.
By: KKR Associates, L.P.
Its General Partner
By: /s/ Perry Golkin
----------------------------------------
A General Partner
PUBLISHING ASSOCIATES, L.P.
By: KKR Associates, L.P.
Its General Partner
By: /s/ Perry Golkin
----------------------------------------
A General Partner
CHANNEL ONE ASSOCIATES, L.P.
By: KKR Associates, L.P.
Its General Partner
By: /s/ Perry Golkin
----------------------------------------
A General Partner
KKR PARTNERS II, L.P.
By: KKR Associates, L.P.
Its General Partner
By: /s/ Perry Golkin
----------------------------------------
A General Partner
KKR ASSOCIATES, L.P.
By: /s/ Perry Golkin
----------------------------------------
A General Partner
DATED: December 15, 2000
Page 22 of 22
