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Nexstar Broadcasting Completes Debt Financing
IRVING, Texas (December 31, 2003) - Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.
(Nasdaq: NXST) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (formerly known as Nexstar Finance, Inc.),
completed the private placement of $125 million aggregate principal
amount of 7% senior subordinated notes due 2014 at par. In conjunction
with this transaction, Nexstar Broadcasting also announced that it
completed a new $275 million senior credit facility, which replaces an
existing $265 million senior credit facility. The new facility was
priced 75 basis points lower than the former facility.
The
completion of the private placement and new credit facility, together
with the Nexstar's initial public offering of common stock on November
24, 2003, are part of a previously announced recapitalization of the
Company's finances. Proceeds from the $125 million Notes are being used
to finance Nexstar's acquisition of Quorum Broadcast Holdings, LLC,
which was completed today (see related announcement).
"These
transactions strengthen our capital structure while lowering our cost
of debt, which will enhance free cash flow in 2004 and provide the
Company with extra flexibility to pursue value-creating strategies in
the year ahead," remarked Perry A. Sook, President and CEO of Nexstar
Broadcasting.
"The recapitalization positions Nexstar favorably
for future growth," continued Mr. Sook. "All of our debt instruments
have long-term maturities with no near-term amortization requirements,
and the revolver will have approximately $80 million of availability
once the sale of WTVW closes."
About Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.
Nexstar
Broadcasting Group owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other
services to 42 television stations in 26 markets in the states of
Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Texas, Pennsylvania,
Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama and New York. Nexstar's television station
group includes affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX and UPN, and reaches
approximately 7% of all U.S. television households.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements
in this release that are "forward-looking statements" are based upon
current expectations and assumptions, and involve certain risks and
uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or expressions such as "intends",
"expects," "expected," "anticipates" or variations of such words and
similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. Key risks are described in the Company's reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Readers should note that
these statements are subject to change and to inherent risks and
uncertainties, and may be impacted by several factors, including:
economic and regulatory changes, the loss of key personnel, a downturn
in the performance of our television stations, the Company's
substantial debt levels, and changes in the broadcast industry
generally. The Company's actual performance and results could differ
materially because of these factors and other factors discussed in the
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and
Financial Condition" in our SEC filings, including but not limited to
annual reports on Form 10-K or quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies
of which can be obtained from the SEC,www.sec.gov, or our website, www.nexstar.tv