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CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Depositary Shares Each Representing
a One One-Hundredth Interest in a Share of
11 1/8% Series L Redeemable
Exchangeable Preferred Stock
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Registration Rights Agreement
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Dated: February 15, 1996
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated February 15, 1996 between
CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
BEAR, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. INC., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ & CO., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LYNCH, PIERCE, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ &
▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. INCORPORATED as the initial
purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers") of the Securities referred to below
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement dated February 8, 1996 between the Initial
Purchasers and the Company, in connection with the issuance of up to 11,500,000
Depositary Shares (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) representing the
Company's 11 1/8% Series L Redeemable Exchangeable Preferred Stock (such
Depositary Shares hereafter referred to as the "Securities").
In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement, the following defined terms shall have the
following meanings:
"BEST EFFORTS" with respect to the Company shall mean the Company's
best efforts except that such term shall mean reasonable best efforts in
the event and to the extent that the Company could satisfy the standard for
the issuance of a Suspension Notice pursuant to the third paragraph of
Section 5 hereof.
"BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day except (i) a Saturday, Sunday or
other day in The City of New York on which banks are required or authorized
to close or (ii) any other day on which the SEC is closed.
"CLOSING TIME" shall mean the Closing Time as defined in the Purchase
Agreement.
"COMPANY" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall
also include the Company's successors.
"DEPOSITARY" shall mean The First National Bank of Boston.
"EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time.
"EXCHANGE DEBENTURES" shall mean the 11 1/8% Senior Subordinated
Debentures due 2008 of the Company into which the Securities are
exchangeable at the option of the Company on or after April 1, 1996.
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"EXCHANGE INDENTURE" shall mean the indenture relating to the Exchange
Debentures dated as of February 15, 1996 between the Company and The Bank
of New York, trustee.
"EXCHANGE OFFER" shall mean the exchange offer by the Company of
Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a)
hereof.
"EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION" shall mean a registration under the
Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.
"EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean an exchange offer
registration statement of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section
2(a) hereof on Form S-4 (or, if applicable,on another appropriate form),
and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each
case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and
all material incorporated by reference therein.
"EXCHANGE SECURITIES" shall mean the 11 1/8% Series M Redeemable
Exchangeable Preferred Stock of the Company and the depositary shares that
will represent such Series M Redeemable Exchangeable Preferred Stock issued
as Registered Securities containing terms identical to the Securities
(except that dividends thereon will accumulate from February 15, 1996 or
from the most recent dividend payment date to which were dividends were
paid on the Securities surrendered in exchange therefor and except that
such Exchange Securities shall bear no legend and shall be free from
restrictions on transfer), to be offered to Holders of Securities pursuant
to the Exchange Offer.
"HOLDER" shall mean, individually, each of the Initial Purchasers, for
so long as they own any Registrable Securities, and any of the Initial
Purchasers' successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who
become registered owners of Registrable Securities.
"INITIAL PURCHASERS" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"MAJORITY HOLDERS" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Registrable Securities.
"PERSON" shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, trust or
unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political
subdivision thereof.
"PROSPECTUS" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a
prospectus supplement with
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respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable
Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other
amendments and supplements to a prospectus, including post-effective
amendments, and in each case including all material incorporated by
reference therein.
PURCHASE AGREEMENT" shall mean the Purchase Agreement dated February
8, 1996 between the Company and the Initial Purchasers, providing for the
initial purchase and sale of the Securities.
"REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" shall mean the Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that any such Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the
earlier to occur of (i) the Exchange Offer has been consummated, (ii) a
Registration Statement with respect to such Securities shall have been
declared effective under the Securities Act and such Securities shall have
been disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, PROVIDED, THAT
Securities not disposed of pursuant to an effective Shelf Registration
Statement shall cease to be Registrable Securities three years from the
date such Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, or
such longer period as the Company's obligation to keep such Shelf
Registration Statement effective is extended in accordance with Section 5
hereof, (iii) such Registrable Securities have been sold to the public
pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in force, but not
Rule 144A) under the Securities Act, or (iv) such Registrable Securities
shall have ceased to be outstanding.
"REGISTRATION EXPENSES" shall mean any and all expenses incident to
performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including
without limitation: (i) all SEC or National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses
incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky
laws, (iii) all expenses of any Persons acting on behalf of the Company in
preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and
distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or
supplements thereto and other documents reasonably relating to the
performance of and compliance with this Agreement by the Company, (iv) all
rating agency fees, (v) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company and, in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, the fees
and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which counsel shall be
selected by the Majority Holders and shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Company), and (vi) any fees and expenses of the independent public
accountants of the Company, including the expenses of any special audits or
"cold comfort" letters (in connection with a Shelf Registration) required
by or necessary to such performance and compliance, but excluding
underwriting discounts and commissions, fees and expenses and transfer
taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable
Securities by a Holder.
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean any Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or Shelf Registration Statement.
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"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"SECURITIES" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
from time to time.
"SHELF REGISTRATION" shall mean a registration effected pursuant to
Section 2(b) hereof.
"SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean a "shelf" registration
statement of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(b) hereof
which covers all of the Registrable Securities on an appropriate form under
Rule 4l5 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted
by the SEC and all amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the
Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material
incorporated by reference therein.
"TRUSTEE" shall mean the trustee with respect to the Exchange
Debentures under the Exchange Indenture.
"UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATION OR UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING" shall mean a
registration in which Registrable Securities are sold to one or more
Underwriters (as hereinafter defined) for reoffering to the public.
2. REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
(a) EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION. The Company shall, for the benefit
of the Holders of the Securities, file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement
with respect to Exchange Securities within 60 days after the Closing Time and
use its best efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be
declared effective under the Securities Act within 180 days after the Closing
Time. Upon such Exchange Offer Registration Statement becoming effective under
the Securities Act, the Company shall offer the Exchange Securities in return
for surrender of the Securities. The Exchange Offer shall remain open for not
less than 30 days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date
notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders of the Securities. For the
Securities surrendered to the Company under the Exchange Offer, the Holder will
receive Exchange Securities having an aggregate liquidation preference equal to
that of the surrendered Securities. Dividends on the Exchange Securities shall
accumulate from February 15 , 1996 or from the most recent dividend payment date
to which dividends were paid on the Securities surrendered in exchange therefor
(or on the Exchange Securities, as the case may be). The Company shall commence
the Exchange Offer by mailing the related Exchange Offer Prospectus and
accompanying documents to each Holder stating, in addition to such other
disclosures as are required by applicable law:
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(i) that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this
Registration Rights Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly
tendered will be accepted for exchange;
(ii) the date of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a Business
Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 40 days (unless otherwise
required by applicable law) from the date such notice is mailed) (the
"Exchange Date");
(iii) that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain
outstanding and shall accumulate dividends at the initial rate borne by the
Securities and, other than Registrable Securities referred to in Section
2(b)(iii) below, will not retain any rights under this Registration Rights
Agreement;
(iv) that Holders electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged
pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required to surrender such
Registrable Security, together with letters of transmittal, to the
institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, City
of New York) specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the
Business Day immediately preceding the Exchange Date; and
(v) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw the election, not
later than the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding
the Exchange Date, by sending to the institution and at the address
(located in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York) specified in the
notice, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth
the name of such Holder, the number of shares of Registrable Securities
delivered for exchange, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its
election to have such Registrable Securities exchanged.
On the Exchange Date, the Company shall:
(i) accept for exchange Registrable Securities tendered and not
validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and
(ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Depositary for
cancellation all Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange by the
Company, and issue and mail to each Holder or such Holder's nominee, for
the Registrable Securities so surrendered, new Exchange Securities having
an aggregate liquidation preference equal to that of the Registrable
Securities surrendered by such Holder.
The Company shall use its best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as
provided above, and in accordance with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable laws in connection with
the Exchange Offer. Consummation of the Exchange Offer shall not be subject to
any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not, and consummation of
the Exchange Offer will not, violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC. The Company shall inform the Initial
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Purchasers of the names and addresses of the Holders to whom the Exchange Offer
is made, and the Initial Purchasers shall have the right to contact such Holders
and otherwise facilitate the tender of Registrable Securities in the Exchange
Offer.
(b) SHELF REGISTRATION. In the event that (i) the Company determines
that the Exchange Offer Registration provided in Section 2(a) above is not
available or may not be consummated because it would violate applicable law or
the applicable interpretations of the Staff of the SEC, (ii) the Exchange Offer
is not for any other reason consummated within 240 days after the Closing Time,
or (iii) following the consummation of the Exchange Offer a Registration
Statement must be filed and a Prospectus must be delivered by the Initial
Purchasers in connection with any offering or sale of Registrable Securities
because such Registrable Securities represent an unsold allotment of the
Registrable Securities purchased by the Initial Purchasers from the Company,
unless the Company has previously done so, the Company will (a) file as soon as
practicable after such determination or date, as the case may be, a Shelf
Registration Statement providing for the sale by the Holders of all of the
Registrable Securities, (b) use its best efforts to have such Shelf Registration
Statement declared effective by the SEC and (c) keep the Shelf Registration
Statement continuously effective until the third anniversary of the Closing Time
or such shorter period which will terminate when all of the Registrable
Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant
to the Shelf Registration Statement. In the event the Company is required to
file a Shelf Registration Statement solely as a result of the matters referred
to in clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Company shall file and have
declared effective by the SEC both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement
pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf
Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of
Registrable Securities held by the Initial Purchasers after completion of the
Exchange Offer. The Company further agrees, if necessary, to supplement or
amend the Shelf Registration Statement, if required by the rules, regulations or
instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such
Shelf Registration Statement or by the 1933 Act or by any other rules and
regulations thereunder for shelf registration, and the Company agrees to furnish
to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or
amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.
(c) EXPENSES. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in
connection with any registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof.
(d) EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT. An Exchange Offer Registration
Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement
pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective
unless it has been declared effective by the SEC; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if,
after it has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order,
injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental
agency or court, such Registration Statement will be deemed not to have been
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effective during the period of such interference, until the offering of
Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement may legally
resume.
3. PARTICIPATION OF BROKER-DEALERS IN EXCHANGE OFFER.
(a) The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that any broker-
dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange
Offer in exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making or other trading activities (a "Participating Broker-
Dealer") may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.
The Company understands that it is the Staff's position that if the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a
plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by
which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without
naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange
Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating
Broker-Dealers and other persons, if any, subject to similar prospectus delivery
requirements to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the
Securities Act in connection with resales of Exchange Securities for their own
accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the
Securities Act.
(b) In light of the above, notwithstanding the other provisions of
this Agreement, the Company agrees that the provisions of this Agreement as they
relate to a Shelf Registration shall also apply to an Exchange Offer
Registration to the extent, and with such reasonable modifications thereto as
may be, reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or by one or more
Participating Broker-Dealers in each case as provided in clause (ii) below, in
order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by
Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the Staff recited
in Section 3(a) above; PROVIDED that:
(i) the Company shall not be required to amend or supplement the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as would
otherwise be contemplated by Section 5(i), for a period exceeding 90 days
after the last Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to
the penultimate paragraph of Section 5 of this Agreement) and Participating
Broker-Dealers shall not be authorized by the Company to deliver and shall
not deliver such Prospectus after such period in connection with the
resales contemplated by this Section 3; and
(ii) the application of the Shelf Registration procedures set forth in
Section 5 of this Agreement to an Exchange Offer Registration, to the
extent not required by the positions of the Staff of the SEC or the
Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, will be in
conformity with the reasonable request to the Company by the Initial
Purchasers or with the reasonable request in writing to the
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Company by one or more broker-dealers who certify to the Initial Purchasers
and the Company in writing that they anticipate that they will be
Participating Broker-Dealers; and PROVIDED FURTHER that, in connection with
such application of the Shelf Registration procedures set forth in Section
5 to an Exchange Offer Registration, the Company shall be obligated (x) to
deal only with one entity representing the Participating Broker-Dealers,
which shall be one of the Initial Purchasers unless they collectively elect
not to act as such representative, (y) to pay the fees and expenses of only
one counsel representing the Participating Broker-Dealers, which shall be
counsel to the Initial Purchasers unless such counsel elects not to so act
and (z) to cause to be delivered only one, if any, "cold comfort" letter
with respect to the Prospectus in the form existing on the last Exchange
Date and with respect to each subsequent amendment or supplement, if any,
effected during the period specified in clause (i) above; PROVIDED, that
the provisions of clauses (y) and (z) of this Section 3(b)(ii) shall apply
only if one or more Participating Broker-Dealers holding at least 100,000
shares of Registrable Securities shall request that the provisions of this
Agreement as they relate to a Shelf Registration also apply to an Exchange
Offer Registration Statement for the disposition of Exchange Securities by
Participating Broker-Dealers.
4. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.
In the event that, for any reason, either (i) the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC on or prior to the 60th
calendar day following the Closing Time or (ii) the Exchange Offer is not
consummated or a Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective on or
prior to the 240th calendar day following the Closing Time, the dividend rate
borne by the Securities shall be increased by one-quarter of one percent per
annum for the first 30 days following such 60-day period in the case of (i)
above, or the first 90 days following such 240-day period in the case of (ii)
above. Such dividend rate will increase by an additional one-quarter of one
percent per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 30-day period in the case
of (i) above, or 90-day period in the case of (ii) above, up to a maximum
aggregate increase of one percent per annum. Upon (x) the filing of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or (y) the consummation of the Exchange
Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may
be, the dividend rate borne by the Securities will be reduced to the original
interest rate.
5. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.
In connection with the obligations of the Company with respect to the
Registration Statement pursuant to Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof, the Company
shall:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the
appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form (x) shall be selected
by the Company and (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be
available for the sale of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the
intended method or methods of distribution as the Company is so advised of
by the selling Holders thereof and (z)
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shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of
the applicable form and include (including through incorporation by
reference) all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed
therewith, and the Company shall use its best efforts to cause such
Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective in
accordance with Section 2 hereof;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to such Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement in compliance with the Securities Act; and cause the
Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as
so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act;
(c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities and to each Underwriter of Registrable Securities,
if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus, including each
preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto and such
other documents as such Holder or Underwriter may reasonably request, in
order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable
Securities;
(d) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use its best efforts to
register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state
securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of
Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement and or
any Underwriter shall reasonably request in writing by the time the
applicable Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC,
and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary
or advisable to enable such Holder or Underwriter to consummate the
disposition in each such designated jurisdiction, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business
as a foreign corporation or as a broker-dealer in any jurisdiction where it
would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 5(d), (ii)
consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii)
subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction;
(e) in the case of a Shelf Registration, promptly notify each Holder
and, if requested by such Holder, confirm such advice in writing (i) when
such Shelf Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-
effective amendments and supplements thereto become effective, (ii) of the
issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or the
initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if, between the
effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement and the closing of any
sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the Company receives any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the
Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of
any proceeding for such purpose, and (iv) of the happening of any event
during the period such Shelf Registration Statement is effective which
makes any statement made in such Shelf Registration Statement or the
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related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which requires the
making of any changes in such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus in
order to make the statements therein not misleading;
(f) make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any
order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement promptly and
shall provide notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of any such order as
promptly as practicable;
(g) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of such
Shelf Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto
(without documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto,
unless requested);
(h) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling
Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and
not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Registrable Securities
to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the selling
Holders may reasonably request at least two business days prior to the
closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;
(i) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any
event contemplated by Section 5(e)(iv) hereof, use its best efforts to
prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration
Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by
reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter
delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus
will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(j) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, enter into and
deliver all such customary agreements, documents and take such other
actions (including causing the delivery of opinions of counsel and
"comfort" letters of independent certified public accountants) as are
reasonably required to expedite or facilitate the disposition of
Registrable Securities;
(k) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon reasonable notice make
available for inspection by a representative of the Holders of the
Registrable Securities, any Underwriter participating in any disposition
pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, and any attorney or
accountant designated by the Selling Holders, at reasonable times and in a
reasonable manner, all financial and other records, pertinent documents and
properties of the Company, and cause the respective officers, directors and
employees of the Company to supply all information reasonably requested by
any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection
with a Shelf Registration Statement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such
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representatives, attorneys or accountants shall be acceptable to the
Company in its judgment reasonably exercised and shall agree to enter into
a written confidentiality agreement mutually acceptable to the Company and
the Underwriters regarding any records, information or documents that are
designated by the Company as confidential unless such records, information
or documents are available to the public or disclosure of such records,
information or documents is required by court or administrative order after
the exhaustion of appeals therefrom and to use such information obtained
pursuant to this provision only in connection with the transaction for
which such information was obtained, and not for any other purpose;
(1) in the case of a Shelf Registration, provide copies of any
Prospectus, any amendment to any applicable Shelf Registration Statement or
amendment or supplement to any Prospectus or any document which is to be
incorporated by reference into such Shelf Registration Statement or any
Prospectus after initial filing of such Shelf Registration Statement, a
reasonable time prior to the filing of any such Prospectus, amendment,
supplement or document, to the Initial Purchasers on behalf of the Holders
and Underwriters, if any, and except with respect to a Shelf Registration
filed pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii) not file any such document in a form to
which the Initial Purchasers on behalf of the Holders or Underwriters, if
any, shall reasonably object; and make the representatives of the Company
as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders or the Initial Purchasers
on behalf of such Holders available for discussion of such document;
PROVIDED that the requirements of this paragraph shall not apply to the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,
its current reports on Form 8-K or any other documents filed pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (the "Exchange Act
Documents"); and further PROVIDED that the Company shall promptly notify
Holders of the filing of any Exchange Act Documents except for such
Exchange Act Documents specifically related to the offering of other
securities and not to the Registrable Securities;
(m) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable
Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of any
Registration Statement; and
(n) cause the Exchange Indenture to be qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"), in connection with the
registration of the Exchange Debentures, cooperate with the Trustee and the
Holders to effect such changes to the Exchange Indenture as may be required
for the Exchange Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms
of the TIA and execute, and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to
execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all
other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the
Exchange Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.
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In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may (as a
condition to such Holder's participation in a Shelf Registration) require each
Holder to furnish to the Company information regarding the Holder and the
proposed distribution by such Holder of any Registrable Securities as the
company may from time to time reasonably request in writing.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder agrees
that, upon receipt of any (i) notice from the Company of the happening of any
event of the kind described in Section 5(e)(ii) or (iv) hereof, (ii) notice from
the Company that it is in possession of material information that has not been
disclosed to the public and the Company reasonably deems it to be advisable not
to disclose such information in a registration statement or (iii) notice from
the Company that it is in the process of a registered offering of securities and
the Company reasonably deems it to be advisable to temporarily discontinue
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement (in each case, such notice being hereinafter referred to as a
"Suspension Notice"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement and shall
not be entitled to the benefits provided under Section 6 hereof with respect to
any sales made by it in contravention of this paragraph, until such Holder's
receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by
Section 5(i) or a notice in accordance with Section 5(f) hereof that any order
suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement has been
withdrawn, or, in the case of (ii) or (iii) above, until further notice from the
Company that disposition of Registrable Securities may resume, provided that
(except with respect to a Shelf Registration filed pursuant to Section
2(b)(iii)) such further notice will be given within 90 days of the Suspension
Notice in the case of (ii) above and within 120 days of the Suspension Notice in
the case of (iii) above, and provided further that in the case of (ii) and (iii)
above that any Suspension Notice must be based upon a good faith determination
of the Board of Directors of the Company or the Executive Committee thereof that
such Notice is necessary; and, if so directed by the Company, such Holder will
deliver to the Company (at the expense of the Company) all copies in its
possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession,
of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of
receipt of such notice. If the Company shall give any such notice to suspend
the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Shelf Registration
Statement, the Company shall extend the period during which such Shelf
Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement
by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the
giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders shall have
received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume
such dispositions or received notice that any order suspending dispositions of
the Securities has been withdrawn.
Each Holder will furnish to the Company such information regarding
such Holder and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company
may from time to time reasonably request in writing, but only to the extent that
such information is required in order to comply with the Securities Act or any
relevant state securities or Blue Sky law or obligation. Each Holder of
Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being
13
effected agrees to notify the Company as promptly as practicable of any
inaccuracy or change in information previously furnished by such Holder to the
Company or of the happening of any event, in either case as a result of which
any Prospectus relating to such registration contains an untrue statement of a
material fact regarding such Holder or the distribution of such Registrable
Securities or omits to state any material fact regarding such Holder or the
distribution of such Registrable Securities required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, and to furnish to the Company
promptly any additional information required to correct and update any
previously furnished information or required such that such prospectus shall not
contain, with respect to such holder or the distribution of such Registrable
Securities, an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
6. INDEMNIFICATION; CONTRIBUTION.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder and
each Person, if any, who controls any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Securities Act as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Shelf Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which Registrable
Securities were registered under the Securities Act, including all
documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged
omission therefrom of a material fact necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus or any
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or
alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading;
(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in
settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any
governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim
whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such
alleged untrue statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with
the written consent of the Company; and
(iii) against any and all expense ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇ incurred (including,
subject to the provisions of subsection (c), fees and disbursements of
counsel chosen by any Holder), reasonably incurred in investigating,
preparing or defending against any litigation, or investigation or
proceeding by any governmental agency or body,
14
commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue
statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to
the extent that any such expense is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii)
above;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this indemnity does not apply to any loss, claim,
damage, liability or expense to the extent it arises out of an untrue statement
or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Holder
expressly for use in a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
The foregoing indemnity with respect to any untrue statement contained
in or any omission from a preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit
of any Holder (or any person controlling such Holder) from whom the person
asserting any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense purchased any of
the Securities that are the subject thereof if the Company shall sustain the
burden of proving that such person was not sent or given a copy of the
Prospectus (or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented) (in each case
exclusive of the documents from which information is incorporated by reference)
at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such Securities to such
person and the untrue statement contained in or the omission from such
preliminary prospectus was corrected in the Prospectus (or the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented).
(b) Each Holder severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, its directors, officers and each Person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any and
all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity
contained in Section 6(a) hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue
statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto).
(c) Each indemnified party shall give prompt notice to each
indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which
indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying
party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than
under this indemnity agreement. An indemnifying party may participate at its
own expense in the defense of such action. In no event shall the indemnifying
party or parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel
for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but
similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction, arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances.
(d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in
circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in this Section 6 is
for any reason held to be
15
unenforceable by the indemnified parties although applicable in accordance with
its terms, the Company and the Holders shall contribute to the aggregate losses,
liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by such
indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and one or more of the Holders;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. As between the Company and the Holders, such parties shall
contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of
the nature contemplated by such indemnity agreement in such proportion as shall
be appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company on
the one hand and the Holders on the other hand, from the offering of the
Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities included in such offering, and
(ii) the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Holders on the
other, with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense, or action in respect thereof, as well as
any other relevant equitable considerations. The Company and the Holders of the
Registrable Securities agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 6 were to be determined by PRO RATA
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account
the relevant equitable considerations. For purposes of this Section 6, each
Person, if any, who controls a Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Holder, and
each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the
Registration Statement, and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as the Company.
7. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. The Holders of Registrable Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such
Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten
Offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers
(the "Underwriters") that will administer the offering will be selected by the
Majority Holders of the Registrable Securities included in such offering;
PROVIDED THAT such Underwriters must be reasonably acceptable to the Company and
of a reputation comparable to that of the Initial Purchasers.
8. ISSUANCE OF EXCHANGE DEBENTURES. In the event that Exchange
Debentures are issued prior to the issuance of the Exchange Securities, the
provisions herein shall apply equally in respect of the registration of any
Exchange Debentures PROVIDED THAT changes in the dividend rate as provided for
in Section 4 herein shall result in corresponding changes in the interest rate
applicable to the Exchange Debentures.
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Company has not entered into nor
will the Company on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement
which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement
or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the
Holders hereunder do not in any way
16
conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of
the Company's other issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements.
(b) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders
of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding Registrable Securities
affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or departure;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, no amendment, modification or supplement, waiver or consent
with respect to the provisions of Section 6 hereof shall be effective as against
any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such
Holder.
(c) NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered first-
class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery
(i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the
Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 9(c); (ii) if to the Company, initially at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: General Counsel, and thereafter at such
other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 9(c).
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business
days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on
the next business day if timely delivered to any courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands, or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Depositary, at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇-▇▇-▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇.
(d) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each
of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an
express assignment, subsequent Holders; PROVIDED that nothing herein shall be
deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable
Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement. If any
transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner,
whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be
held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding
such Registrable Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have
agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this
Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
17
(e) ENFORCEMENT BY INITIAL PURCHASERS. The Initial Purchasers shall
have the right to directly enforce the agreements made hereunder between the
Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, to the extent they
deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect their rights or the
rights of Holders hereunder, provided, however, that such right of direct
enforcement shall terminate upon consummation of an Exchange Offer.
(f) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(g) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(h) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
(i) SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By:
-----------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Confirmed and accepted as of
the date first above written:
BEAR, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. INC.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ & CO.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Lynch, Pierce, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ Incorporated
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. INCORPORATED
c/o Bear, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Inc.
By: Bear, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Inc.
By
----------------------------
Name:
Title: