FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of October 25, 2002, is by and among FISHER BROADCASTING COMPANY (the “Borrower”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower (the “Guarantors”), the Lenders that agree to the terms hereof and WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (successor to First Union National Bank) (“Wachovia”), in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as co-syndication agents for the Lenders hereunder (in such capacity, the “Co-Syndication Agents”), and NATIONAL CITY BANK, as documentation agent for the Lenders hereunder (in such capacity, the “Documentation Agent”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given to them in that certain Credit Agreement described below.

 

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A. and The Bank of New York, as Co-Syndication Agents, and National City Bank, as Documentation Agent, have entered into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of March 21, 2002 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested certain amendments to the Credit Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Required Lenders have agreed to such amendments subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

1.1    Amendment to Definition of “Applicable Percentage”. The pricing grid set forth in the definition of “Applicable Percentage” in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

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Level		Leverage Ratio		Alternate Base Rate Margin for Revolving Loans and Tranche A Term Loans		LIBOR Rate Margin for Revolving Loans, Tranche A Term Loans and Letter of Credit Fee		Alternate Base Rate Margin for Tranche B Term Loans		LIBOR Rate Margin for Tranche B Term Loans		Commitment Fee
I		³ 5.5 to 1.0		2.75%		4.00%		3.25%		4.50%		0.625%
II		³ 5.0 to 1.0 but < 5.5 to 1.0		2.75%		4.00%		3.25%		4.50%		0.625%
III		³ 4.5 to 1.0 but < 5.0 to 1.0		2.00%		3.25%		3.25%		4.50%		0.500%
IIII		³ 4.0 to 1.0 but < 4.5 to 1.0		1.75%		3.00%		3.25%		4.50%		0.500%
V		³ 3.5 to 1.0 but < 4.0 to 1.0		1.50%		2.75%		3.25%		4.50%		0.500%
VI		³ 3.0 to 1.0 but < 3.5 to 1.0		1.25%		2.50%		3.25%		4.50%		0.375%
VII		³ 2.5 to 1.0 but < 3.0 to 1.0		1.00%		2.25%		2.75%		4.00%		0.375%
VIII		< 2.5 to 1.0		0.75%		2.00%		2.75%		4.00%		0.375%

 

The Credit Parties and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the foregoing modifications to the pricing grid will become effective on the date this Amendment is effective pursuant to the terms hereof and the amended interest rate levels set forth in such pricing grid shall apply to all Loans outstanding as of such date as well as any Loan made after such date.

 

1.2    Amendment to Asset Disposition Mandatory Prepayment.    Section 2.8(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

 

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1.3    Amendment to Financial Covenants.    Sections 5.9(a), (b) and (d) of the Credit Agreement are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

 

 

 

Period		Maximum Ratio
Closing Date through September 29, 2002		5.75 to 1.0
September 30, 2002 through June 29, 2003		6.00 to 1.0
June 30, 2003 through September 29, 2003		5.00 to 1.0
September 30, 2003 through June 29, 2004		4.75 to 1.0
June 30, 2004 through September 29, 2004		4.50 to 1.0
September 30, 2004 through December 30, 2004		4.00 to 1.0
December 31, 2004 and thereafter		3.00 to 1.0

 

 

Period		Minimum Ratio
Closing Date through September 29, 2002		2.25 to 1.0
September 30, 2002 through March 30, 2004		1.75 to 1.0
March 31, 2004 through June 29, 2004		2.00 to 1.0
June 30, 2004 through September 29, 2004		2.25 to 1.0
September 30, 2004 through December 30, 2004		2.75 to 1.0
December 31, 2004 and thereafter		3.00 to 1.0

 

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ARTICLE II

CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

 

 

This Amendment shall become effective as of the date first above written upon satisfaction of the following conditions (in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent):

 

(a)    Executed Amendment.    Receipt by the Administrative Agent of a copy of this Amendment duly executed by each of the Credit Parties and the Required Lenders.

 

(b)    Resolutions.    Receipt by the Administrative Agent of copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of each of the Credit Parties approving and adopting this Amendment, the transactions contemplated herein and authorizing execution and delivery hereof, certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of such Credit Party to be true and correct and in force and effect as of the date hereof.

 

(c)    Incumbency Certificate.    Receipt by the Administrative Agent of an incumbency certificate with respect to each of the Credit Parties.

 

(d)    Legal Opinion.    Receipt by the Administrative Agent of an opinion from counsel to the Credit Parties relating to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated herein, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated as of the date hereof.

 

(e)    Fees.    (i) Receipt by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of each Lender that executes this Amendment by 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Friday, October 25, 2002, of an amendment fee equal 0.25% of such Lender’s aggregate Commitments; (ii) receipt by Wachovia of all fees due and payable pursuant to that certain fee letter, dated as of October 10, 2002, between the Borrower and Wachovia; and (iii) receipt by the Administrative Agent of all fees and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment, including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of Moore & Van Allen PLLC.

 

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

 

3.1    Amended Terms.    The term “Credit Agreement” as used in each of the Credit Documents shall hereafter mean the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment. Except as specifically amended hereby or otherwise agreed, the Credit Agreement is hereby ratified and confirmed and shall remain in full force and effect according to its terms.

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3.2    Representations and Warranties of Credit Parties.    Each of the Credit Parties represents and warrants as follows:

 

(a)    It has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment.

 

(b)    This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by such Person and constitutes such Person’s legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

(c)    No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any court or governmental authority or third party is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by such Person of this Amendment.

 

(d)    The representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof (except for those which expressly relate to an earlier date).

 

3.3    Acknowledgment of Guarantors.    The Guarantors acknowledge and consent to all of the terms and conditions of this Amendment and agree that this Amendment and all documents executed in connection herewith do not operate to reduce or discharge the Guarantors’ obligations under the Credit Documents.

 

3.4    Credit Document.    This Amendment shall constitute a Credit Document under the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

3.5    Entirety.    This Amendment and the other Credit Documents embody the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

3.6    Counterparts; Telecopy.    This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Amendment by telecopy shall be effective as an original and shall constitute a representation that an original will be delivered.

 

3.7    General Release.    In consideration of the Required Lenders entering into this Amendment, the Credit Parties hereby release the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ respective officers, employees, representatives, agents, counsel and directors from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, demands, damages and liabilities of whatever kind or nature, in law or in equity, now known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected to the extent that any of the foregoing arises from any action or failure to act under the Credit Agreement on or prior to the date hereof.

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3.9    Consent to Jurisdiction; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial.    The jurisdiction, services of process and waiver of jury trial provisions set forth in Sections 9.14 and 9.17 of the Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, mutatis mutandis.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Borrower, the Guarantors and the Required Lenders have caused this Amendment to be duly executed on the date first above written.

 

BORROWER:						FISHER BROADCASTING COMPANY, a Washington corporation
						By:		/s/ David D. Hillard
						Name: David D. Hillard Title: Assistant Secretary
GUARANTORS:						FISHER RADIO REGIONAL GROUP INC., a Washington corporation
						By:		/s/ David D. Hillard
						Name: David D. Hillard Title: Assistant Secretary
						FISHER BROADCASTING-PORTLAND RADIO, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company   FISHER BROADCASTING-SEATTLE RADIO, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company   FISHER BROADCASTING-PORTLAND TV, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company   FISHER BROADCASTING-SEATTLE TV, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company   FISHER BROADCASTING-S.E. IDAHO TV, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company   FISHER BROADCASTING-IDAHO TV, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company   FISHER BROADCASTING-GEORGIA TV, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company   FISHER BROADCASTING-OREGON TV, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
						FISHER BROADCASTING-WASHINGTON TV, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
						By:		Fisher Broadcasting Company, its sole member
						By:		/s/ David D. Hillard
						Name: David D. Hillard Title: Assistant Secretary

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND LENDERS:						WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Administrative Agent and as a Lender
						By:		/s/ Lawrence P. Sullivan
						Name: Lawrence P. Sullivan Title: Vice President

 

LENDERS:						BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. as a Co-Syndication Agent and as a Lender
						By:		/s/ Mark N. Crawford
						Name: Mark N. Crawford Title: Senior Vice President
						THE BANK OF NEW YORK
						By:		/s/ Stephen M. Nettler
						Name: Stephen M. Nettler Title: Vice President
						NATIONAL CITY BANK
						By:		/s/ Timothy J. Ambrose
						Name: Timothy J. Ambrose Title: Vice President
						WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK
						By:		/s/ Vance Gledhill
						Name: Vance Gledhill Title: Vice President
						GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP
						By:		/s/ Susun Timmerman
								Name: Susun Timmerman Title: Sr. Risk Manager
						LANDMARK CDO LTD. LANDMARK II CDO LTD.
						By:		Aladdin Asset Management LLC as Manager
						By:		/s/ Gilles Marchand
						Name: Gilles Marchand Title: Authorized Signatory

 

						NEW ALLIANCE GLOBAL CDO, LIMITED
						By:		Alliance Capital Management L.P., as Sub-advisor
						By:		Alliance Capital Management Corporation as General Partner
						By:		/s/ Robert Bayer
						Name: Robert Bayer Title: Vice President
						BANK OF MONTREAL
						By:		/s/ S. Valia
						Name: S. Valia Title: MD
						BLACK DIAMOND CLO 2000-1 LTD.
						By:		/s/ David Dyer
						Name: David Dyer Title: Director
						BLACK DIAMOND INTERNATIONAL FUNDING, LTD.
						By:		/s/ David Dyer
						Name: David Dyer Title:
						TRS1 LLC
						By:		/s/ Rosemary F. Dunne
						Name: Rosemary F. Dunne Title: Attorney-in-Fact
						STANWICH LOAN FUNDING LLC
						By:		/s/ Diana L. Mushill
						Name: Diana L. Mushill Title: Asst. Vice President

 

						Sierra CLO I
						By:		/s/ John M. Casparian
						Name: John M. Casparian Title: Chief Operating Officer           Centre Pacific, Manager
						BRYN MAWR CLO, Ltd.
						By:		Deerfield Capital Management LLC as its Collateral Manager
						By:		/s/ Dale Burrow
						Name: Dale Burrow Title: Senior Vice President
						OLYMPIC FUNDING TRUST, SERIES 1999-1
						By:		/s/ Diana L. Mushill
						Name: Diana L. Mushill Title: Authorized Agent
						ROSEMONT CLO, Ltd.
						By:		Deerfield Capital Management LLC as its Collateral Manager
						By:		/s/ Dale Burrow
						Name: Dale Burrow Title: Senior Vice President
						APEX (IDM) CDO I, Ltd.
						By:		David L. Babson & Company Inc. as Collateral Manager
						By:		/s/ Adrienne Musgnug
						Name: Adrienne Musgnug Title: Managing Director
						FLAGSHIP CLO 2001-1
						By:		/s/ Eric S. Meyer
						Name: Eric S Meyer Title: Director

 

						FLAGSHIP CLO II
						By:		/s/ Eric S. Meyer
						Name: Eric S. Meyer Title: Attorney-in-fact
						PILGRIM CLO 1999-1 LTD
						By:		ING Investments, LLC as its investment manager
						By:		/s/ Jeffrey A. Bakalar
						Name: Jeffrey A. Bakalar Title: Senior Vice President
						ING SENIOR INCOME FUND
						By:		ING Investments, LLC as its investment manager
						By:		/s/ Jeffrey A. Bakalar
						Name: Jeffrey A. Bakalar Title: Senior Vice President
						ING PRIME RATE TRUST
						By:		ING Investments, LLC as its investment manager
						By:		/s/ Jeffrey A. Bakalar
						Name: Jeffrey A. Bakalar Title: Senior Vice President
						OCTAGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS III, LTD.
						By:		Octagon Credit Investors, LLC as Portfolio Manager
						By:		/s/ Andrew D. Gordon
						Name: Andrew D. Gordon Title: Portfolio Manager

 

						OCTAGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS IV, LTD.
						By:		Octagon Credit Investors, LLC as Portfolio Manager
						By:		/s/ Andrew D. Gordon
						Name: Andrew D. Gordon Title: Portfolio Manager
						HARBOUR VIEW CLO IV, LTD.
						By:		/s/ Bill Campbell
						Name: Bill Campbell Title: Manager
						OPPENHEIMER SENIOR FLOATING RATE FUND
						By:		/s/ Bill Campbell
						Name: Bill Campbell Title: Manager