form-s3asr.htm
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 3,
2008
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
Under
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CBS
CORPORATION
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CBS
OPERATIONS INC.
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(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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Delaware
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(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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04-2949533
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13-3844753
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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51
West 52nd Street
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51
West 52nd Street
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New
York, NY 10019
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New
York, NY 10019
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(212)
975-4321
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(212)
975-4321
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(Address,
including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
Registrants’ principal executive offices)
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(Address,
including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
Registrants’ principal executive
offices)
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Louis
J. Briskman, Esq.
Executive
Vice President and General Counsel
CBS
Corporation
51
West 52nd Street
New
York, New York 10019
(212)
975-4321
(Name,
address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent
for service)
Copy
to:
William
J. Whelan III, Esq.
Cravath,
Swaine & Moore LLP
825
Eighth Avenue
New York,
New York 10019
(212)
474-1000
Approximate
date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to
time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by
CBS Corporation.
If the
only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.
o
If any of
the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed
or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933,
other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If this
Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to
Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. o
If this
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. o
If this
Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the
following box. x
If this
Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to
General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional
classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check
the following box. o
Large
accelerated filer x
|
Accelerated
filer o
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Non-accelerated
filer o
(Do
not check if a smaller
reporting
company)
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Smaller
reporting company o
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CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title
of each class of securities
to
be registered
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Amount
to
be
registered
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Proposed
maximum
offering
price
per
unit
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Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering
price
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Amount
of
registration
fee
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Senior
debt
securities
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(1) (2)
(3)
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Senior
subordinated debt
securities
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Preferred
stock, $0.001 par
value
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Class
B common stock, $0.001 par value, to be issued upon conversion of certain
securities (3)
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Warrants
of CBS Corporation and, if applicable, CBS Operations
Inc.
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Guarantees
of CBS Operations Inc.
(4)
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(1)
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An
indeterminate aggregate principal amount or number of the securities of
each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be
issued at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be
received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or
exchange of other securities.
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(2)
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CBS
Corporation (formerly known as Viacom Inc.) previously paid $478,750 of
filing fees in connection with $1,915,000,000 of securities that were
previously registered, but were not sold, pursuant to Registration
Statement No. 333-62052 (the “Prior Registration Statement”), of CBS
Corporation and CBS Operations Inc. (formerly known as Viacom
International Inc.), which Prior Registration Statement was initially
filed on May 31, 2001 and amended from time to time thereafter. The
filing fee for the securities registered on the Prior Registration
Statement had previously been paid on December 26, 2000 in connection with
the filing of Registration Statement No. 333-52728. On
December 31, 2005, the former Viacom Inc. separated into two publicly
traded companies; the existing company, which was renamed CBS Corporation,
and a new company, which was named Viacom Inc. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6),
the filing fees previously paid in connection with such unsold securities
will continue to be applied to such unsold securities and the Prior
Registration Statement is terminated effective upon filing of this
Registration Statement. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), CBS
Corporation is deferring payment of all other registration fees which may
subsequently be payable following application of the above-referenced
prepaid filing fees.
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(3)
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There
is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of Class B
common stock of CBS Corporation as may from time to time be issued upon
conversion of senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities
or preferred stock.
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(4)
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As
may be issued in connection with senior debt securities, senior
subordinated debt securities or preferred stock of CBS
Corporation.
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Prospectus
CBS
CORPORATION
Certain
securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed by CBS Operations Inc. (a
wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation).
We may
offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings and series, together
or separately:
Senior
debt securities
Senior
subordinated debt securities
Preferred
stock
Warrants
representing rights to purchase senior debt securities, senior
subordinated
debt securities or preferred stock of CBS Corporation.
The
senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities and preferred stock
of CBS
Corporation
may be convertible into Class B common stock of CBS Corporation.
Our Class
B common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol
“CBS”.
When
we offer securities we will provide you with a prospectus supplement or term
sheet describing the specific terms of the specific issue of securities,
including the offering price of the securities. You should carefully read this
prospectus and the prospectus supplements or term sheets relating to the
specific issue of securities before you decide to invest in any of these
securities.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The date
of this prospectus is November 3, 2008.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
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THE
COMPANY
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2
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THE
GUARANTOR
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3
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RISK
FACTORS
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3
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RATIO
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
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3
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USE
OF PROCEEDS
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4
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DESCRIPTION
OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
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4
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DESCRIPTION
OF PREFERRED STOCK
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19
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DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON STOCK
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23
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DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
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25
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
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28
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LEGAL
MATTERS
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30
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EXPERTS
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30
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ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement that CBS Corporation (together
with its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires, the
“Company”) has filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process.
Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time over the next
three years, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus
in one or more offerings.
In this
prospectus we use the terms “we,” “us,” and “our” to refer to CBS Corporation.
References to “CBS Operations” are references to CBS Operations Inc. References
to “senior debt securities” are references to the senior debt securities that
may be issued under the senior indenture; references to “senior subordinated
debt securities” are references to the senior subordinated debt securities that
may be issued under the senior subordinated indenture; and references to “debt
securities” are references to the senior debt securities and the senior
subordinated debt securities, collectively. References to “securities” includes
any security that we might sell under this prospectus or any prospectus
supplement. References to “$” and “dollars” are to United States
dollars.
This
prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may
offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus
supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that
offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information
contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any
prospectus supplement together with additional information described below under
the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
You
should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and in any
prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference.
Neither CBS Corporation nor CBS Operations has authorized anyone to provide you
with different information. If anyone provides you with different or additional
information, you should not rely upon it. Neither CBS Corporation nor CBS
Operations is making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer
is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus, or any supplement to this
prospectus, is accurate at any date other than the date indicated on the cover
page of this prospectus or such supplement.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CBS
Corporation files annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy and information
statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy this
information at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, located at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the
Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also obtain
copies of this information by mail from the SEC at the above address, at
prescribed rates.
The SEC
also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements
and other information that CBS Corporation files electronically with the SEC.
The address of that website is www.sec.gov.
Our Class
A common stock and Class B common stock are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange. Information about us also is available at the New York
Stock Exchange. In accordance with United States (“U.S.”) securities
laws, CBS Operations is not obligated to file annual, quarterly and special
reports, proxy and information statements and other information with the
SEC. Accordingly, CBS Operations does not file separate financial
statements with the SEC and does not independently publish its financial
statements. CBS Operations’ financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows are consolidated into the financial statements of CBS
Corporation.
We are
“incorporating by reference” specific documents that we file with the SEC, which
means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to
those documents that are considered part of this
prospectus. Information that we file subsequently with the SEC will
automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate
by reference the documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC and any
future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including
filings made after the date of the initial registration statement, to the extent
not superseded, until this offering is complete:
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●
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Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2007;
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●
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Our
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31,
2008 and June 30, 2008;
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●
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Our
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 11, 2008;
and
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●
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Our
Current Reports on Form 8-K, or filed portions of those reports, filed
(but not portions of those reports which were furnished) on June 3, 2008,
July 31, 2008 (only SEC accession number 0001104659-08-048854),
September 22, 2008, September 24, 2008 and October 30, 2008
(only SEC accession number
0001104659-08-066845).
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You may
also request a copy of any documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus (including any exhibits that are specifically incorporated by
reference in them), at no cost, by writing or telephoning CBS Corporation at the
following address or telephone number:
CBS
Corporation
51 West
52nd Street
New York,
New York 10019
Attention:
Investor Relations
Telephone:
1-877-CBS-0787
THE
COMPANY
CBS
Corporation is a mass media company with operations in the following
segments:
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·
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TELEVISION:
The Television segment consists of CBS Television, comprised of the CBS® Television
Network, the Company’s 30 owned broadcast television stations, CBS Paramount Network
Television and CBS Television
Distribution, the Company’s television production and syndication
operations; Showtime
Networks™, the Company’s premium subscription television program
services; and CBS
College Sports Network™, the Company’s cable network and online
digital media business devoted to college
athletics.
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·
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RADIO:
The Radio segment owns and operates 140 radio stations in 30 U.S. markets
through CBS
Radio®.
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·
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OUTDOOR:
The Outdoor segment displays advertising on media, including billboards,
transit shelters, buses, rail systems (in-car, station platforms and
terminals), mall kiosks and stadium signage principally through CBS Outdoor® and in
retail stores through CBS
Outernet™.
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·
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PUBLISHING:
The Publishing segment consists of Simon & Schuster,
which publishes and distributes consumer books under imprints such as
Simon &
Schuster®, Pocket
Books®, Scribner® and Free
Press™.
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On June 30, 2008, the
Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of common
stock of CNET Networks, Inc. (“CNET”) for $11.50 per share, for a total of $1.8
billion in cash. Our
quarterly report for the third quarter of 2008 will present the results of CNET
in an Interactive segment.
We were
organized under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1986. Our principal offices
are located at 51 West 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019, our telephone
number is (212) 975-4321 and our website address is www.cbscorporation.com.
However, the information contained in or connected to our website is not part of
this prospectus.
THE
GUARANTOR
CBS
Operations, the guarantor of the debt securities and the preferred stock, if any
guarantees are issued, was organized under the laws of the State of Delaware in
1995 and has its corporate headquarters at 51 West 52nd Street, New York, New
York 10019. CBS Operations has 100 shares of common stock, par value
$.01 per share, outstanding, all of which are held by CBS Corporation. CBS
Operations operates a full power broadcast television station in Tampa, Florida
and a low power broadcast television station in Indianapolis, Indiana. The
direct and indirect subsidiaries of CBS Operations operate Showtime Networks™, Simon & Schuster, CBS Paramount Network
Television and eleven full power broadcast television stations. In
addition, one of such subsidiaries holds the partnership interest in The CW, a broadcast network
that launched in Fall 2006.
RISK
FACTORS
An
investment in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the
risks described in our filings with the SEC referred to under the heading “Where
You Can Find Additional Information,” as well as the risks included and
incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risk factors
incorporated by reference herein from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2007 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, as updated by
annual, quarterly and other reports and documents we file with the SEC after the
date of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference
herein.
RATIO
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The
following table shows the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of CBS Corporation
for the periods indicated.
For
purposes of computing the following ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
represents earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes,
equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, minority interest, and fixed
charges, adjusted for inclusion of distributions from investee
companies. Fixed charges represent interest expense, net of
capitalized interest, and such portion of rental expense that represents an
appropriate interest factor.
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Six
months ended June 30,
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Ratio
of earnings to fixed charges
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3.8
x
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3.8
x
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3.8
x
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4.0
x
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Note
a
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Note
a
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3.2
x
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_____________
Note
a:
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Earnings
are inadequate to cover fixed charges due to the 2005 and 2004 non-cash
impairment charges of $9.48 billion and $18.0 billion,
respectively. The dollar amounts of the earnings deficiencies
are $7.55 billion and $15.84 billion in 2005 and 2004,
respectively.
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USE
OF PROCEEDS
Unless
indicated otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net
proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus
and the accompanying prospectus supplement(s) for general corporate purposes,
including repayment of borrowings, working capital, capital expenditures,
acquisitions and stock repurchases.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
The
following description of CBS Corporation’s debt securities to be issued under
the debt indentures summarizes the general terms and provisions of its debt
securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The
following description also describes the specific terms of CBS Corporation’s
debt securities and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions
summarized may apply to any series of its debt securities in the prospectus
supplement relating to such series. References to “senior debt
securities” are references to the senior debt securities that may be issued
under the senior indenture; references to “senior subordinated debt securities”
are references to the senior subordinated debt securities that may be issued
under the senior subordinated indenture; and references to “debt securities” are
references to both the senior debt securities and the senior subordinated debt
securities.
CBS
Corporation may issue its senior debt securities from time to time, in one or
more series under a senior indenture, between CBS Corporation, CBS Operations
and The Bank of New York Mellon, as senior trustee, or another senior trustee
named in a prospectus supplement. We refer to this indenture as the
“senior indenture.” The senior indenture is filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. CBS
Corporation may issue its senior subordinated debt securities from time to time,
in one or more series under a senior subordinated indenture, between CBS
Corporation, CBS Operations and The Bank of New York Mellon, as senior
subordinated trustee, or another senior subordinated trustee named in a
prospectus supplement. We refer to this indenture as the “senior
subordinated indenture.” A form of the senior subordinated indenture is filed as
an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Together the senior indenture and the senior subordinated indenture are referred
to as the “debt indentures.” The trustee under the senior indenture
is called the “senior debt trustee” and the trustee under the senior
subordinated indenture is called the “senior subordinated debt
trustee.” Together the senior debt trustee and the senior
subordinated debt trustee are called the “debt trustees.”
Neither
of the indentures limit the amount of debt securities that may be
issued. The applicable indenture provides that debt securities may be
issued up to an aggregate principal amount authorized by CBS Corporation and may
be payable in any currency or currency unit designated by CBS
Corporation.
General
CBS
Corporation will issue debt securities from time to time and offer its debt
securities on terms determined by market conditions at the time of their
sale. CBS Corporation may issue debt securities in one or more series
with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium or at a
discount. Any debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a
rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates will be sold at a
discount, which may be substantial, from their stated principal
amount. CBS Corporation will describe the material federal income tax
consequences and other special considerations applicable to any substantially
discounted debt securities in a related prospectus supplement.
You
should refer to the prospectus supplement for the following terms of the debt
securities offered by this registration statement:
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·
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the
designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations of
the debt securities;
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·
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the
percentage of the principal amount at which CBS Corporation will issue the
debt securities;
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·
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the
date or dates on which the debt securities will
mature;
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·
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the
annual interest rate or rates of the debt securities, or the method of
determining the rate or rates;
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·
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the
date or dates on which any interest will be payable, the date or dates on
which payment of any interest will commence and the regular record dates
for the interest payment dates;
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·
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whether
the debt securities will be guaranteed by CBS
Operations;
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·
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the
terms of any mandatory or optional redemption, including any provisions
for any sinking, purchase or other similar funds, or repayment
options;
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·
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the
currency, currencies or currency units for which the debt securities may
be purchased and in which the principal, any premium and any interest may
be payable;
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·
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if
the currency, currencies or currency units for which the debt securities
may be purchased or in which the principal, any premium and any interest
may be payable is at CBS Corporation’s election or the purchaser’s
election, the manner in which the election may be
made;
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·
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if
the amount of payments on the debt securities is determined by an index
based on one or more currencies or currency units, or changes in the price
of one or more securities or commodities, the manner in which the amounts
may be determined;
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·
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the
extent to which any of the debt securities will be issuable in temporary
or permanent global form, and the manner in which any interest payable on
a temporary or permanent global security will be
paid;
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·
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the
terms and conditions upon which the debt securities may be convertible
into or exchanged for common stock, preferred stock, or indebtedness or
other securities of any person, including CBS
Corporation;
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·
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information
with respect to book-entry procedures, if
any;
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·
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a
discussion of any material federal income tax and other special
considerations, procedures and limitations relating to the debt
securities; and
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·
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any
other specific terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the
applicable debt indenture.
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If CBS
Corporation sells any of the debt securities for one or more foreign currencies
or foreign currency units or if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest
on any series of debt securities will be payable in one or more foreign
currencies or foreign currency units, it will describe the restrictions,
elections, any material federal income tax consequences, specific terms and
other information with respect to the issue of debt securities and the
currencies or currency units in the related prospectus supplement.
Unless
specified otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the principal of, premium on,
and interest on the debt securities will be payable, and the debt securities
will be transferable, at the corporate trust office of the applicable debt
trustee in New York, New York. However, CBS Corporation may make
payment of interest, at its option, by check mailed on or before the payment
date to the address of the person entitled to the interest payment or by
transfer to an account held by the payee as it appears on the registry books of
the debt trustee, CBS Corporation or its agents.
Unless
specified otherwise in a prospectus supplement, CBS Corporation will issue the
debt securities in registered form and in denominations of $1,000 and any
integral multiple of $1,000. Bearer securities, other than those
issued in global form, will be issued in denominations of $5,000. No
service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of any debt securities,
but CBS Corporation may, except in specific cases not involving any transfer,
require payment of a sufficient amount to cover any tax or other governmental
charge payable in connection with the transfer or exchange.
CBS
Corporation’s rights and the rights of its creditors, including holders of debt
securities, to participate in any distribution of assets of any CBS Corporation
subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is subject to the
prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that CBS
Corporation’s claims as a creditor of the subsidiary may be
recognized.
Guarantees
CBS
Operations may unconditionally guarantee the due and punctual payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, and any interest on the debt securities when and
as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption,
upon acceleration or otherwise. The guarantees of the debt securities
will be endorsed on the debt securities.
Various
federal and state fraudulent conveyance laws have been enacted for the
protection of creditors and may be utilized by a court of competent jurisdiction
to subordinate or avoid all or part of any guarantee issued by CBS
Operations. The applicable debt indentures provide that in the event
that the guarantees would constitute or result in a fraudulent transfer or
conveyance for purposes of, or result in a violation of, any United States
federal, or applicable United States state, fraudulent transfer or conveyance or
similar law, then the liability of CBS Operations under the guarantees shall be
reduced to the extent necessary to eliminate such fraudulent transfer or
conveyance or violation under the applicable fraudulent transfer or conveyance
or similar law. Application of this clause could limit the amount
which holders of debt securities may be entitled to collect under the
guarantees. Holders, by their acceptance of the debt securities, will
have agreed to such limitations.
To the
extent that a court were to find that (x) a guarantee was incurred by CBS
Operations with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud any present or future
creditor or (y) CBS Operations did not receive fair consideration or reasonably
equivalent value for issuing its guarantee and CBS Operations (i) was insolvent
or rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of the guarantee, (ii) was
engaged or about to engage in a business or transaction for which the remaining
assets of CBS Operations constituted unreasonably small capital to carry on its
business or (iii) intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts
beyond its ability to pay such debts as they matured, the court could
subordinate or avoid all or part of such guarantee in favor of CBS Operations’
other creditors. To the extent any guarantee issued by CBS Operations
was voided as a fraudulent conveyance or held unenforceable for any other
reason, the holders of any debt securities guaranteed by CBS Operations could
cease to have any claim against CBS Operations and would be creditors solely of
CBS Corporation.
We and
CBS Operations believe that the issuances of the guarantees by CBS Operations
are not fraudulent conveyances. There can be no assurance, however,
that a court passing on such questions would reach the same
conclusions. In rendering their opinions on the validity of the
senior debt securities and senior subordinated securities and, if applicable,
the related guarantees, neither our counsel, counsel for CBS Operations nor
counsel for any initial purchaser will express any opinion as to federal or
state laws relating to fraudulent transfers.
Ranking
The
senior debt securities will be unsecured senior obligations of CBS Corporation
and will rank equally in right of payment with all of CBS Corporation’s other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The guarantees on the senior debt
securities will be unsecured senior obligations of CBS Operations and will rank
equally in right of payment with all of CBS Operations’ other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness.
The
senior subordinated debt securities will be unsecured senior subordinated
obligations of CBS Corporation and will be subordinated in right of payment to
CBS Corporation’s senior indebtedness. The guarantees on the senior subordinated
debt securities will be unsecured senior subordinated obligations of CBS
Operations and will be subordinated in right of payment to CBS Operations’
senior indebtedness.
The debt
securities and the guarantees will be effectively subordinated to any secured
indebtedness of CBS Corporation or CBS Operations, as the case may be, to the
extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The debt
indentures do not limit the amount of debt that CBS Corporation, CBS Operations
or their respective subsidiaries can incur.
In
addition, both CBS Corporation and CBS Operations conduct their operations
through subsidiaries, which generate a substantial portion of their respective
operating income and cash flow. As a result, distributions or advances from
subsidiaries of CBS Corporation and CBS Operations are a major source of funds
necessary to meet their respective debt service and other obligations.
Contractual provisions, laws or regulations, as well as subsidiaries’ financial
conditions and operating requirements, may limit the ability of CBS Corporation
or CBS Operations to obtain cash required to pay CBS Corporation’s debt service
obligations, including payments on the debt securities, or CBS Operations’
payment obligations under the guarantees. The debt securities (whether senior or
subordinated obligations of CBS Corporation) will be structurally subordinated
to all obligations of CBS Corporation’s subsidiaries (other than CBS Operations,
to the extent such debt securities are guaranteed), including claims with
respect to trade payables. The guarantees (whether senior or subordinated
obligations of CBS Operations) will be structurally subordinated to all
obligations of CBS Operations’ subsidiaries, including claims with respect to
trade payables. This means that holders of the debt securities of CBS
Corporation will have a junior position to the claims of creditors of CBS
Corporation’s subsidiaries (other than CBS Operations, to the extent such debt
securities are guaranteed) on the assets and earnings of such subsidiaries.
Holders of guarantees of CBS Operations, if any, will have a junior position to
the claims of creditors of CBS Operations’ subsidiaries on the assets and
earnings of such subsidiaries and will have no claim by virtue of such
guarantees against CBS Corporation or any subsidiary of CBS Corporation that is
not a subsidiary of CBS Operations. As of June 30, 2008, CBS
Corporation’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, other than CBS Operations, had
approximately $168.1 million of indebtedness outstanding, while CBS Operations’
direct and indirect subsidiaries had approximately $73.2 million of indebtedness
outstanding.
Global
Securities
CBS
Corporation may issue debt securities of a series, in whole or in part, in the
form of one or more global securities and will deposit them with or on behalf of
a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to that series.
CBS Corporation may issue global securities in fully registered or bearer form
and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in
whole or in part, for the individual debt securities represented thereby, a
global security may only be transferred among the depositary, its nominees and
any successors.
The
specific terms of the depositary arrangement relating to a series of debt
securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that
series. It is anticipated that the following provisions will generally apply to
depositary arrangements.
Upon the
issuance of a global security, the depositary for the global security or its
nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the
principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by the global
security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary. The
accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect
to the debt securities or by CBS Corporation if the debt securities are offered
and sold directly by it. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security
will be limited to persons that have accounts with the applicable depositary
participants or persons that hold interests through these participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the
transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained
by:
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the
applicable depositary or its nominee, with respect to interests of
depositary participants; and
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the
records of depositary participants, with respect to interests of persons
other than depositary participants.
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The laws
of some states require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of
the securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer
beneficial interests in a global security.
So long
as the depositary for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner
of that global security, the depositary or the nominee will be considered the
sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security
for all purposes under the applicable debt indenture. Except as provided below,
owners of beneficial interests in a global security will:
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not
be entitled to have any of the individual debt securities of the series
represented by the global security registered in their
names;
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not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any debt security
of that series in definitive form;
and
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not
be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable debt
indenture governing the debt
securities.
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Further
Issues
Not all
debt securities of any one series need be issued at the same time and, unless
otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the
holders, for issuances of additional debt securities of such
series.
Payment
and Paying Agents
Payments
of principal of, any premium on, and any interest on individual debt securities
represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its
nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner of
the global security representing the debt securities. Neither CBS Corporation,
the debt trustee, any paying agent, nor the security registrar for the debt
securities will have any responsibility or liability for the records relating to
or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the global
security for the debt securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing
any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.
CBS
Corporation expects that the depositary for a series of debt securities or its
nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest in
respect of a permanent global security representing any of the debt securities,
will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts
proportionate to their beneficial interests in the principal amount of the
global security for the debt securities as shown on the records of the
depositary or its nominee. CBS Corporation also expects that payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held
through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers
in bearer form or registered in “street name.” The payments will be the
responsibility of those participants.
Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets
Under the
terms of the debt indentures, CBS Corporation and CBS Operations generally would
be permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity or to sell all or
substantially all of our respective assets to another entity, subject to CBS
Corporation and CBS Operations meeting all of the following
conditions:
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the
surviving entity to the transaction must be a corporation organized under
the laws of a state of the United
States;
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the
resulting entity (other than CBS Corporation or CBS Operations) must agree
through a supplemental indenture to be legally responsible for the debt
securities;
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immediately
following the consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, no Event of
Default (as defined below) shall have occurred and be
continuing;
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CBS
Corporation or CBS Operations, as the case may be, must deliver certain
certificates and documents to the debt trustee;
and
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CBS
Corporation and CBS Operations, if applicable, must satisfy any other
requirements specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a
particular series of debt
securities.
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We and
CBS Operations may merge or consolidate with, or sell all or substantially all
of our assets to each other or any of our Subsidiaries. When we make reference
in this section to the sale of “all or substantially all of our assets,” we mean
property and assets generating revenues representing, in the aggregate, at least
80% of our total consolidated revenues.
In the
event that CBS Corporation or CBS Operations consolidates or merges with another
entity or sells all or substantially all of its assets to another entity, the
surviving entity shall be substituted for CBS Corporation or CBS Operations, as
the case may be, under the debt indentures and CBS Corporation or CBS
Operations, as the case may be, shall be discharged from all of its obligations
under the debt indentures.
Limitations
on Liens
We
covenant in the debt indentures that we will not create, assume or permit any
Lien on any of our properties or assets, unless we secure the debt securities at
least equally and ratably to the secured Indebtedness. The foregoing only
applies to Liens that in the aggregate exceed 15% of our total consolidated
assets, reduced by the Attributable Debt related to any permitted sale and
leaseback arrangement. See “—Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions”
below. The restrictions do not apply to Capitalized Leases or Indebtedness that
is secured by:
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Liens
existing, in the case of any debt securities, on the date such debt
securities are issued;
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Liens
on any property or any Indebtedness of a person existing at the time the
person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by acquisition, merger or
consolidation);
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Liens
in favor of us or our Subsidiaries;
and
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Liens
existing at the time of acquisition of the assets secured thereby and
purchase money Liens.
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The
restrictions do not apply to extensions, renewals or replacements of any of the
foregoing types of Liens.
Limitations
on Sale and Leaseback Transactions
We
covenant in the debt indentures that neither we nor any Restricted Subsidiary
will enter into any arrangement with any person to lease a Principal Property
(except for any arrangements that exist on the date the debt securities are
issued or that exist at the time any person that owns a Principal Property
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) which has been or is to be sold by us or the
Restricted Subsidiary to the person unless:
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the
sale and leaseback arrangement involves a lease for a term of not more
than three years;
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the
sale and leaseback arrangement is entered into between us and any
Subsidiary or between our
Subsidiaries;
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we
or the Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur indebtedness
secured by a Lien on the Principal Property at least equal in amount to
the Attributable Debt permitted pursuant to the first paragraph under
“Limitations on Liens” without having to secure equally and ratably the
debt securities;
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the
proceeds of the sale and leaseback arrangement are at least equal to the
fair market value (as determined by our board of directors in good faith)
of the property and we apply within 180 days after the sale an amount
equal to the greater of the net proceeds of the sale or the Attributable
Debt associated with the property to (i) the retirement of long-term debt
for borrowed money that is not subordinated to the debt securities and
that is not debt to us or a Subsidiary, or (ii) the purchase or
development of other comparable property;
or
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the
sale and leaseback arrangement is entered into within 180 days after the
initial acquisition of the Principal Property subject to the sale and
leaseback arrangement.
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The term
“Attributable Debt”, with regard to a sale and leaseback arrangement of a
Principal Property, is defined in the debt indentures as an amount equal to the
lesser of: (a) the fair market value of the property (as determined in good
faith by our board of directors); or (b) the present value of the total net
amount of rent payments to be made under the lease during its remaining term,
discounted at the rate of interest set forth or implicit in the terms of the
lease, compounded semi-annually. The calculation of the present value of the
total net amount of rent payments is subject to adjustments specified in the
debt indentures.
The term
“Principal Property” is defined in the debt indentures to include any parcel of
our or our Restricted Subsidiaries’ real property and related fixtures or
improvements located in the United States, the aggregate book value of which on
the date of determination exceeds $1.0 billion. The term “Principal Property”
does not include any telecommunications equipment or parcels of real property
and related fixtures or improvements that are determined in good faith by our
board of directors not to be of material importance to our and our Subsidiaries’
total business. As of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor any
of our Subsidiaries own any Principal Property.
Defaults
and Remedies
Holders
of debt securities will have specified rights if an Event of Default (as defined
below) occurs in respect of the debt securities of that series, as described
below.
The term
“Event of Default” in respect of the debt securities of a particular series
means any of the following:
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CBS
Corporation does not pay interest on a debt security of such series within
30 days of its due date;
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CBS
Corporation does not pay the principal of or any premium on a debt
security of such series when due and payable, at its maturity, or upon its
acceleration or redemption;
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CBS
Corporation remains in breach of a covenant or warranty in respect of the
senior indenture for 60 days after CBS Corporation receives a written
notice of default; the notice must be sent by either the debt trustee or
holders of at least 25% in principal amount of a series of outstanding
debt securities; or
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CBS
Corporation or CBS Operations, if guarantees are issued, files for
bankruptcy, or other events of bankruptcy specified in the applicable debt
indenture, insolvency or reorganization
occur.
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If an
Event of Default has occurred, the debt trustee or the holders of at least 25%
in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare
the entire unpaid principal amount (and premium, if any) of, and all the accrued
interest on, the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately
payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. There is no
action on the part of the debt trustee or any holder of debt securities required
for such declaration if the Event of Default is a bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities
of a series may also waive certain past defaults under the debt indenture on
behalf of all of the holders of such series of debt securities. A declaration of
acceleration of maturity may be canceled, under specified circumstances, by the
holders of at least a majority in principal amount of a series of debt
securities and the debt trustee.
Except in
cases of default, where the debt trustee has special duties, a debt trustee is
not required to take any action under a debt indenture at the request of holders
unless the holders offer the debt trustee reasonable protection from expenses
and liability satisfactory to the debt trustee. If a reasonable indemnity is
provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of a series of debt
securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or
other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the debt trustee. The
debt trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances
specified in the applicable debt indenture. No delay or omission in exercising
any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of the right, remedy or Event of
Default.
Before
holders are allowed to bypass the debt trustee and bring a lawsuit or other
formal legal action or take other steps to enforce their rights or protect their
interests relating to the debt securities, the following must
occur:
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holders
must give the debt trustee written notice that an Event of Default has
occurred and remains uncured;
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holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
a series must make a written request that the debt trustee take action
because of the default and must offer the debt trustee indemnity
satisfactory to the debt trustee against the cost and other liabilities of
taking that action;
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the
debt trustee must have failed to take action for 60 days after receipt of
the notice and offer of indemnity;
and
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holders
of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of a series must
not have given the debt trustee a direction inconsistent with the above
notice for a period of 60 days after the debt trustee has received the
notice.
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Holders
are, however, entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money
due on the debt securities on or after the due date.
Modification
of the Debt Indentures
The debt
indentures provide that CBS Corporation, CBS Operations, if applicable, and the
debt trustee may, without the consent of any holders of debt securities, enter
into supplemental indentures for the purposes, among other things,
of:
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adding
to CBS Corporation’s or CBS Operations’
covenants;
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adding
additional events of default;
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changing
or eliminating any provisions of the debt indenture so long as there are
no holders entitled to the benefit of the
provisions;
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establishing
the form or terms of any series of debt securities;
or
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curing
ambiguities or inconsistencies in the debt indenture or making any other
provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the debt
indentures.
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With
specific exceptions, the debt indentures or the rights of the holders of the
debt securities may be modified by CBS Corporation, CBS Operations and the debt
trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the debt securities of each series affected by the modification then
outstanding, but no modification may be made without the consent of the holders
of each outstanding debt security affected which would:
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change
the maturity of any payment of principal of, or any premium on, or any
installment of interest on, any debt
security;
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change
the terms of any sinking fund with respect to any debt
security;
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reduce
the principal amount of, or the interest or any premium on, any debt
security upon redemption or repayment at the option of the
holder;
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change
any obligation of CBS Corporation to pay additional
amounts;
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change
any place of payment where, or the currency in which, any debt security or
any premium or interest is payable;
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impair
the right to sue for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to
any debt security;
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reduce
the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any
series required to consent to any supplemental indenture, any waiver of
compliance with provisions of a debt indenture or specific defaults and
their consequences provided for in the debt indenture, or otherwise modify
the sections in the debt indenture relating to these consents;
or
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reduce
the obligations of CBS Operations, if any, in respect of the due and
punctual payment of principal, premium and interest, if
any.
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Meetings
The debt
indentures contain provisions for convening meetings of the holders of the debt
securities of any or all series. Specific terms related to such meetings of the
holders are described in the debt indentures.
Defeasance
and Covenant Defeasance
CBS
Corporation may elect either (i) to defease and be discharged (and, if
applicable, to have CBS Operations defeased and discharged) from any and all
obligations with respect to the debt securities (except as otherwise provided in
the debt indentures) (“defeasance”) or (ii) to be released from its obligations
with respect to certain covenants that are described in the debt indentures
(“covenant defeasance”), upon the deposit with the debt trustee, in trust for
such purpose, of money and/or government obligations that through the payment of
principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an
amount sufficient, without reinvestment, to pay the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the debt securities of such series to maturity or
redemption, as the case may be, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous
senior payments thereon. As a condition to defeasance or covenant defeasance,
CBS Corporation must deliver to the debt trustee an opinion of counsel to the
effect that the holders of the debt securities of such series will not recognize
income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result
of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States
federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times
as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not
occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (i)
above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service
or a change in applicable United States federal income tax law occurring after
the date of the debt indentures.
CBS
Corporation may exercise its defeasance option with respect to the debt
securities of any series notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant
defeasance option. If CBS Corporation exercises its defeasance option, payment
of the debt securities of such series may not be accelerated because of an event
of default and the guarantees relating to such debt securities will cease to
exist. If CBS Corporation exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of
the debt securities of such series may not be accelerated by reference to any
covenant from which CBS Corporation is released as described under clause (ii)
above. However, if acceleration were to occur for other reasons, the realizable
value at the acceleration date of the money and government obligations in the
defeasance trust could be less than the principal and interest then due on the
debt securities of such series, in that the required deposit in the defeasance
trust is based upon scheduled cash flows rather than market value, which will
vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.
Notices
Notices
to holders of debt securities will be given by mail to the addresses of such
holders as they appear in the security register.
Title
CBS
Corporation, CBS Operations, as guarantor, the debt trustees and any agent of
ours, may treat the registered owner of any registered debt security as the
absolute owner thereof (whether or not the debt security shall be overdue and
notwithstanding any notice to the contrary) for the purpose of making payment
and for all other purposes.
Replacement
of Debt Securities
We will
replace any mutilated debt security at the expense of the holders upon surrender
to the trustee. We will replace debt securities that become destroyed, lost or
stolen at the expense of the holder upon delivery to the trustee of satisfactory
evidence of the destruction, loss or theft thereof. In the event of a destroyed,
lost or stolen debt security, an indemnity or security satisfactory to us and
the debt trustee may be required at the expense of the holder of the debt
security before a replacement debt security will be issued.
Governing
Law
The debt
indentures, the debt securities and the guarantees will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Concerning
the Debt Trustees
CBS
Corporation will identify the debt trustees in the relevant prospectus
supplement. In specific instances, CBS Corporation or the holders of a majority
of the then outstanding principal amount of the debt securities issued under a
debt indenture may remove the debt trustee and appoint a successor trustee. The
debt trustee may become the owner or pledgee of any of the debt securities with
the same rights, subject to conflict of interest restrictions, it would have if
it were not the debt trustee. The debt trustee and any successor trustee must be
eligible to act as trustee under the Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939 and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000 and be subject to examination by federal or state authority. Subject
to applicable law relating to conflicts of interest, the debt trustee may also
serve as trustee under other indentures relating to securities issued by CBS
Corporation or its affiliated companies and may engage in commercial
transactions with CBS Corporation and its affiliated companies. The initial debt
trustee under each debt indenture is The Bank of New York Mellon.
Senior
Debt Securities
CBS
Corporation will describe the specific terms of the senior debt securities
offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the
general provisions summarized in this description may apply to any series of its
senior debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to that
series.
Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities
In
addition to the provisions previously described in this prospectus and
applicable to all debt securities, the following description of CBS
Corporation’s senior subordinated debt securities summarizes the additional
terms and provisions of its senior subordinated debt securities to which any
prospectus supplement may relate. The specific terms of CBS Corporation’s senior
subordinated debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the
extent, if any, to which the general provisions summarized below may apply to
any series of senior subordinated debt securities will be described in the
prospectus supplement relating to that series.
Subordination. The
senior subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to
CBS Corporation’s senior indebtedness to the extent set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
The
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the senior
subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all of CBS Corporation’s senior indebtedness. CBS
Corporation may not make payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest
on the senior subordinated debt securities and may not acquire, or make payment
on account of any sinking fund for, the senior subordinated debt securities
unless full payment of amounts then due for principal, premium, if any, and
interest on all senior indebtedness by reason of the maturity thereof has been
made or duly provided for in cash or in a manner satisfactory to the holders of
the senior indebtedness. In addition, the senior subordinated indenture provides
that if a default has occurred giving the holders of the senior indebtedness the
right to accelerate the maturity of that senior indebtedness, or an event has
occurred which, with the giving of notice, or lapse of time, or both, would
constitute an event of default, then unless and until that event has been cured
or waived or has ceased to exist, no payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest on the senior subordinated debt securities and no acquisition of, or
payment on account of a sinking fund for, the senior subordinated debt
securities may be made. CBS Corporation will give prompt written notice to the
senior subordinated trustee of any default under any senior indebtedness or
under any agreement pursuant to which senior indebtedness may have been issued.
The senior subordinated indenture provisions described in this paragraph,
however, do not prevent CBS Corporation from making a sinking fund payment with
senior subordinated debt securities acquired prior to the maturity of senior
indebtedness or, in the case of default, prior to the default and notice
thereof. Upon any distribution of assets in connection with CBS Corporation’s
dissolution, liquidation or reorganization, all senior indebtedness must be paid
in full before the holders of the senior subordinated debt securities are
entitled to any payments whatsoever. As a result of these subordination
provisions, in the event of CBS Corporation’s insolvency, holders of the senior
subordinated debt securities may recover ratably less than the holders of CBS
Corporation’s senior indebtedness.
For
purposes of the description of the senior subordinated debt securities, the term
“Senior Indebtedness” of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, means
the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the following, whether
outstanding on the date of execution of the senior subordinated indenture or
incurred or created after the execution:
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indebtedness
for money borrowed by it, or evidenced by securities, other than the
senior subordinated debt securities or any other indebtedness which is
subordinate to the senior subordinated debt
securities;
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obligations
with respect to letters of credit;
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indebtedness
constituting a guarantee of indebtedness of others, other than any
subordinated guarantees;
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obligations
under Capitalized Leases (other than telecommunications equipment,
including satellite transponders);
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any
obligation of a third party if secured by a lien on assets;
or
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renewals,
extensions or refundings of any of the indebtedness referred to in the
preceding bullet points unless, in the case of any particular
indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, under the express
provisions of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, or pursuant
to which the same is outstanding, the indebtedness or the renewal,
extension or refunding thereof is not superior in right of payment to the
senior subordinated debt
securities.
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Senior
Indebtedness of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, will not
include any obligation of the Company or the Guarantor (i) to any subsidiary of
the Company or the Guarantor or to any person with respect to which the Company
or the Guarantor is a subsidiary or (ii) specifically with respect to the
production, distribution or acquisition of motion pictures or other programming
rights, talent or publishing rights.
As of
June 30, 2008, CBS Corporation’s Senior Indebtedness totaled approximately $6.9
billion, and CBS Operations had no Senior Indebtedness, other than its
guarantees of the senior debt of CBS Corporation, all of which is fully and
unconditionally guaranteed by CBS Operations.
Certain
Definitions
The
following definitions are applicable to the debt indentures:
“Capitalized
Lease” means any obligation of a person to pay rent or other amounts incurred
with respect to real property or equipment acquired or leased by such person and
used in its business that is required to be recorded as a capital lease in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied as
in effect from time to time.
“Indebtedness”
of any person means, without duplication (i) any obligation of such person for
money borrowed, (ii) any obligation of such person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) any reimbursement
obligation of such person in respect of letters of credit or other similar
instruments which support financial obligations which would otherwise become
Indebtedness, (iv) any obligation of such person under Capitalized Leases (other
than in respect of (x) telecommunications equipment including, without
limitation, satellite transponders, and (y) theme park equipment and
attractions), and (v) any obligation of any third party to the extent secured by
a Lien on the assets of such person; provided, however, that “Indebtedness” of
such person shall not include any obligation of such person (i) to any
Subsidiary of such person or to any person with respect to which such person is
a Subsidiary or (ii) specifically with respect to the production, distribution
or acquisition of motion pictures or other programming rights, talent or
publishing rights. When used with respect to CBS Corporation, the term
“Indebtedness” also includes any obligation of CBS Operations specified in
clauses (i) through (v) above to the extent that said Indebtedness is guaranteed
by CBS Corporation.
“Lien”
means any pledge, mortgage, lien, encumbrance or other security
interest.
“Restricted
Subsidiary” means a corporation, all of the outstanding voting stock of which is
owned, directly or indirectly, by CBS Corporation or by one or more of its
Subsidiaries, or by CBS Corporation and one or more of its Subsidiaries, which
is incorporated under the laws of a State of the United States, and which owns a
Principal Property.
“Subsidiary”
of any person means (i) a corporation, a majority of the outstanding voting
stock of which is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such person, by
one or more Subsidiaries of such person, or by such person and one or more
Subsidiaries thereof or (ii) any other person (other than a corporation),
including, without limitation, a partnership or joint venture, in which such
person, one or more Subsidiaries thereof, or such person and one or more
Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination
thereof, has at least majority ownership interest entitled to vote in the
election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or other persons performing
similar functions).
DESCRIPTION
OF PREFERRED STOCK
The
following description sets forth certain general terms of preferred stock which
CBS Corporation may issue. The terms of any series of the preferred
stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the
preferred stock being offered. The description set forth below and in
any prospectus supplement is not complete, and is subject to, and qualified in
its entirety by reference to, CBS Corporation’s amended and restated certificate
of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, the certificate of
designations relating to each particular series of the preferred stock, which
was or will be filed with the SEC at or before the issuance of the series of
preferred stock, and the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). Copies
of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and
restated bylaws are incorporated by reference herein. For more information on
how you can obtain copies of these documents, see the section entitled “Where
You Can Find Additional Information.” You are urged to read our amended and
restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws in their
entirety.
Terms
of the Preferred Stock
Under CBS
Corporation’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, CBS Corporation
is authorized to issue up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.001 per share. The board of directors has the authority, without
the approval of stockholders, to cause shares of preferred stock to be issued
from time to time in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and the
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional, dividend and
other special rights and qualifications, limitations, restrictions, conditions
and other characteristics of each series. As of June 30, 2008, CBS
Corporation had 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock available for
issuance.
The
applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of each series of
preferred stock, including, where applicable, the following:
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the
designation, stated value, liquidation preference and number of shares
offered;
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the
offering price or prices;
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the
dividend rate or rates, or method of calculation, the dividend periods,
the date on which dividends shall be payable and whether dividends are
cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which
dividends begin to accumulate;
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any
redemption or sinking fund
provisions;
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any
conversion or exchange provisions;
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whether
the preferred stock will be issued in certificated or book-entry
form;
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whether
the preferred stock will be listed on a national securities
exchange;
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information
with respect to any book-entry
procedures;
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a
discussion of any material federal income tax and other special
considerations, procedures and limitations relating to the preferred
stock; and
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any
additional rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions
of the preferred stock which are not inconsistent with the provisions of
the restated certificate of
incorporation.
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The board
of directors may, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with
voting and other rights that could have an adverse impact on the rights of the
holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, including, without
limitation, their voting power. However, the board of directors may not issue
any preferred stock, or preferred stock that is convertible into or exchangeable
for other securities, that, in the aggregate with all other outstanding shares
of preferred stock, could elect a majority of the board of directors, unless
such issuance has been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Class A common stock, voting separately as a class. The ability of the
board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could
have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of CBS
Corporation or the removal of the existing management. There are no present
plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.
Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Bank of New
York Mellon will be the transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar
for the shares of the preferred stock.
CBS
Corporation’s rights and the rights of holders of CBS Corporation securities,
including the holders of preferred stock, to participate in the distribution of
assets of any subsidiary of CBS Corporation upon its liquidation or
recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s
creditors and preferred stockholders, except to the extent CBS Corporation may
itself be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary or a holder
of preferred stock of the subsidiary.
Dividends
and Distributions
Unless
otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, holders of shares of the
preferred stock will be entitled to receive, as, if and when declared by the
board of directors of CBS Corporation or a duly authorized committee of the
board of directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends,
cash dividends at the rate set forth in, or calculated in accordance with the
formula set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the preferred stock
being offered. Dividends on the preferred stock may be cumulative or
noncumulative as provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Dividends on the cumulative preferred stock will
accumulate from the date of original issue and will be payable as specified in
the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus
supplement will set forth the applicable dividend period with respect to a
dividend payment date. If the board of directors of CBS Corporation
or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors fails to declare a
dividend on any series of noncumulative preferred stock for any dividend period,
CBS Corporation will have no obligation to pay a dividend for that period,
whether or not dividends on that series of noncumulative preferred stock are
declared for any future dividend period.
No
dividends will be declared or paid or set apart for payment on the preferred
stock of any series ranking, as to dividends, equally with or junior to any
other series of preferred stock for any period unless dividends have been or are
contemporaneously declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the
payment of those dividends has been set apart for:
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in
the case of cumulative preferred stock, all dividend periods terminating
on or before the date of payment of full cumulative dividends;
or
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in
the case of noncumulative preferred stock, the immediately preceding
dividend period.
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When
dividends are not paid in full upon any series of preferred stock, and any other
preferred stock ranking equally as to dividends with that series of preferred
stock, all dividends declared upon shares of that series of preferred stock and
any other preferred stock ranking equally as to dividends will be declared pro
rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on that series of
preferred stock and any other preferred stock ranking equally as to dividends
will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per
share on the shares of that series of preferred stock and the other preferred
stock bear to each other. In the case of noncumulative preferred
stock, any accrued dividends described in the immediately preceding paragraph
will not include any cumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior
dividend periods.
Except as
provided in the immediately preceding paragraph or the applicable prospectus
supplement, unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of any series of
preferred stock have been declared and paid, in the case of a series of
cumulative preferred stock, for all past dividend periods, or in the case of
noncumulative preferred stock, for the immediately preceding dividend period,
CBS Corporation may not declare dividends or pay or set aside for payment or
other distribution on any of its capital stock ranking junior to or equally with
that series of preferred stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, other than
dividends or distributions paid in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to
subscribe for or purchase shares of, the common stock of CBS Corporation or
other capital stock of CBS Corporation ranking junior to that series of
preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation, and other than in
connection with the distribution or trading of any of its capital stock, CBS
Corporation may not redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its capital
stock ranking junior to or equally with that series of preferred stock as to
dividends or upon liquidation, for any consideration or any moneys paid to or
made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any of its
capital stock, except by conversion or exchange for capital stock of CBS
Corporation ranking junior to that series of preferred stock as to dividends and
upon liquidation.
Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the amount of
dividends payable for any period shorter than a full dividend period shall be
computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months, a 360-day year and the actual
number of days elapsed in any period of less than one month.
Liquidation
Preference
Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, upon any voluntary
or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of CBS Corporation, the
holders of the preferred stock will have preference and priority over the common
stock of CBS Corporation and any other class of stock of CBS Corporation ranking
junior to the preferred stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, for
payments out of or distributions of the assets of CBS Corporation or proceeds
from any liquidation, of the amount per share set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, to the date of
final distribution to such holders. After any liquidating payment,
the holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to any other
payments.
Redemption
If
specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock
being offered, CBS Corporation may, at its option, at any time or from time to
time, redeem that series of preferred stock, in whole or in part, at the
redemption prices and on the dates set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
If less
than all outstanding shares of a series of preferred stock is to be redeemed,
the selection of the shares to be redeemed shall be determined by lot or pro
rata as may be determined to be equitable by the board of directors of CBS
Corporation or a duly authorized committee of the board of
directors. From and after the redemption date, unless CBS Corporation
is in default in providing for the payment of the redemption price, dividends
shall cease to accrue on the shares of that series of preferred stock called for
redemption and all rights of the holders shall cease, other than the right to
receive the redemption price.
Voting
Rights
Unless
otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the
preferred stock will have no voting rights except as required by
law.
Conversion
or Exchange Rights
The
prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock that is
convertible or exchangeable will state the terms on which shares of that series
are convertible or exchangeable into common stock, another series of preferred
stock or debt securities.
DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON STOCK
Terms
of the Common Stock
The
following description sets forth certain general terms of our common stock. The
following description is not meant to be complete and is qualified by reference
to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and
restated bylaws and the DGCL. Copies of our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation and amended and restated bylaws are incorporated by reference
herein. For more information on how you can obtain copies of these documents,
see the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” You are
urged to read our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended
and restated bylaws in their entirety.
The
authorized common stock of CBS Corporation as set forth in our amended and
restated certificate of incorporation consists of 375,000,000 shares of CBS
Corporation Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 5,000,000,000
shares of CBS Corporation Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per
share. CBS Corporation is not registering Class A common stock with
the SEC and is therefore not permitted to offer or sell any shares of Class A
common stock pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is
a part. CBS Corporation is only registering with the SEC shares of
Class B common stock as may from time to time be issued upon conversion of
senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or preferred
stock.
As of
July 30, 2008, there were approximately 621.9 million shares of Class B common
stock issued and outstanding.
All
issued and outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock
are identical and the holders of such shares are entitled to the same rights and
privileges, except as provided in the amended and restated certificate of
incorporation as described below.
Voting
Rights
Holders
of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to all
matters on which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote and the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common
stock, voting separately as a class, will be necessary to approve any merger or
consolidation of CBS Corporation pursuant to which shares of common stock are
converted into or exchanged for any other securities or
consideration.
Holders
of Class B common stock will not have any voting rights, except as required by
Delaware law.
Generally,
all matters to be voted on by the stockholders of CBS Corporation must be
approved by a majority of the aggregate voting power of the shares of capital
stock of CBS Corporation present in person or represented by proxy, except as
required by Delaware law.
Dividends
Holders
of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will share ratably in any cash
dividend declared by the board of directors, subject to any preferential rights
of any outstanding preferred stock. If the board of directors declares a
dividend of any securities of CBS Corporation or another entity, the board of
directors will determine whether the holders of Class A common stock and Class B
common stock are to receive identical securities or to receive different classes
or series of securities, but only to the extent such differences are consistent
in all material respects with any differences between Class A common stock and
Class B common stock.
Conversion
So long
as there are 5,000 shares of Class A common stock outstanding, each share of
Class A common stock will be convertible at the option of the holder of such
share into one share of Class B common stock.
Liquidation
Rights
In the
event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of CBS Corporation, all
holders of common stock, regardless of class, will be entitled to share ratably
in any assets available for distributions to holders of shares of common stock
subject to the preferential rights of any outstanding preferred
stock.
Split,
Subdivision or Combination
In the
event of a split, subdivision or combination of the outstanding shares of Class
A common stock or Class B common stock, the outstanding shares of the other
class of common stock will be divided proportionally.
Preemptive
Rights
Shares of
Class A common stock and Class B common stock do not entitle a holder to any
preemptive rights enabling a holder to subscribe for or receive shares of stock
of any class or any other securities convertible into shares of stock of any
class of CBS Corporation. The board of directors possesses the power to issue
shares of authorized but unissued Class A common stock and Class B common stock
without further stockholder action, subject to the requirements of applicable
law and stock exchanges. The number of authorized shares of Class A common stock
and Class B common stock could be increased with the approval of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock and without any
action by the holders of shares of Class B common stock.
Other
Rights
The
amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that CBS Corporation
may prohibit the ownership of, or redeem, shares of its capital stock in order
to ensure compliance with, or prevent the applicability of limitations imposed
by, the requirements of U.S. laws or regulations applicable to specified types
of media companies.
Listing
Our Class
A common stock and Class B common stock are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbols “CBS.A” and “CBS,” respectively.
DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
CBS
Corporation may issue warrants for the purchase of its senior debt securities,
senior subordinated debt securities or preferred stock. The warrants
may be co-issued by CBS Operations when the securities with respect to which the
warrants are issued will be guaranteed by CBS Operations. Warrants
may be issued independently or together with any senior debt securities, senior
subordinated debt securities or preferred stock offered by any prospectus
supplement and may be attached to or separate from senior debt securities,
senior subordinated debt securities or preferred stock. The warrants
are to be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into among CBS
Corporation, CBS Operations as co-issuer, if applicable, and The Bank of New
York Mellon, as warrant agent, or such other bank or trust company as is named
in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of
warrants. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of CBS
Corporation in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation
or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of warrants or
beneficial owners of warrants.
General
If
warrants are offered, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the
warrants, including the following:
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the
currency, currencies or currency units for which warrants may be
purchased;
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the
designation, aggregate principal amount, currency, currencies or currency
units and terms of senior debt securities or senior subordinated debt
securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants and the price at
which the senior debt securities or senior subordinated debt securities
may be purchased upon such
exercise;
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the
designation, number of shares and terms of the preferred stock purchasable
upon exercise of the preferred stock warrants and the price at which the
shares of preferred stock may be purchased upon such
exercise;
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if
applicable, the designation and terms of senior debt securities, senior
subordinated debt securities or preferred stock with which the warrants
are issued and the number of warrants issued with each senior debt
securities, senior subordinated debt securities or preferred
stock;
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if
applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related
senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or preferred
stock will be separately
transferable;
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the
date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the
date on which the right will
expire;
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whether
the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer
form;
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a
discussion of any material federal income tax and other special
considerations, procedures and limitations relating to the warrants;
and
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any
other terms of the warrants.
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Warrants
may be exchanged for new warrants of different denominations. If in
registered form, the warrants may be presented for registration of
transfer. The warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office
of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus
supplement. Before the exercise of their warrants, holders of
warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the various securities
purchasable upon the exercise, including the right to receive payments of
principal of, any premium on, or any interest on, senior debt securities or
senior subordinated debt securities purchasable upon the exercise or to enforce
the covenants in the applicable indenture or to receive payments of dividends,
if any, on the preferred stock purchasable upon their exercise or to exercise
any applicable right to vote. If CBS Corporation maintains the
ability to reduce the exercise price of any preferred stock warrant and the
right is triggered, it will comply with federal securities laws, including Rule
13e-4 under the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable.
Exercise
of Warrants
Each
warrant will entitle the holder to purchase a principal amount of senior debt
securities, senior subordinated debt securities or a number of shares of
preferred stock at the exercise price as will in each case be set forth in, or
calculable from, the prospectus supplement relating to the
warrant. Warrants may be exercised at the times that are set forth in
the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. After the close
of business on the date on which the warrant expires, or any later date to which
CBS Corporation may extend the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become
void.
Subject
to any restrictions and additional requirements that may be set forth in the
prospectus supplement relating thereto, warrants may be exercised by delivery to
the warrant agent of the certificate evidencing the warrants properly completed
and duly executed and of payment as provided in the prospectus supplement of the
amount required to purchase the senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt
securities or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise. The
exercise price will be the price applicable on the date of payment in full, as
set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. Upon
receipt of the payment and the certificate representing the warrants to be
exercised, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of
the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement,
CBS Corporation will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the senior debt
securities, senior subordinated debt securities or shares of preferred stock
purchasable upon the exercise, and, if applicable, CBS Operations will issue
guarantees relating to those securities. If fewer than all of the
warrants represented by a certificate are exercised, a new certificate will be
issued for the remaining amount of warrants.
Additional
Provisions
The
exercise price payable and the number of shares of preferred stock purchasable
upon the exercise of each stock warrant will be subject to adjustment in
specific events, including the issuance of a stock dividend to holders of
preferred stock, or a combination, subdivision or reclassification of preferred
stock. In lieu of adjusting the number of shares of preferred stock
purchasable upon exercise of each stock warrant, CBS Corporation may elect to
adjust the number of preferred stock warrants. No adjustment in the
number of shares purchasable upon exercise of the preferred stock warrants will
be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1%
thereof. CBS Corporation may, at its option, reduce the exercise
price at any time. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise
of preferred stock warrants, but CBS Corporation will pay the cash value of any
fractional shares otherwise issuable. In case of any consolidation,
merger, or sale or conveyance of the property of CBS Corporation as an entirety
or substantially as an entirety, the holder of each outstanding preferred stock
warrant will have the right upon the exercise to the kind and amount of shares
of stock and other securities and property, including cash, receivable by a
holder of the number of shares of preferred stock into which the stock warrants
were exercisable immediately prior thereto.
No
Rights as Shareholders
Holders
of preferred stock warrants will not be entitled, by virtue of being the
holders, to vote, to consent, to receive dividends, to receive notice as
shareholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the election of the
directors or any other matter, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as its
shareholders, with respect to either CBS Corporation or CBS
Operations.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We may
sell the securities:
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through
underwriters or dealers;
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directly
to purchasers.
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We will
describe in a prospectus supplement the particular terms of the offering of the
securities, including the following:
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the
names of any underwriters;
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the
purchase price and the proceeds we will receive from the
sale;
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any
underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’
compensation;
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any
initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers;
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any
securities exchanges on which the securities of the series may be listed;
and
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any
other information we think is
important.
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If we use
underwriters in the sale, such underwriters will acquire the securities for
their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more
transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering
price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.
The
securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates
represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The
obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to
certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the
securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased. The
underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers.
We may
sell offered securities through agents designated by us from time to time. Any
agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities for which this prospectus
is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to that agent will
be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless indicated in the prospectus
supplement, the agents will have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to
solicit purchases for the period of their appointment.
We also
may sell offered securities directly.
Underwriters,
dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the offered
securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “Securities Act”), and any discounts or commissions received by
them from us and any profit on the resale of the offered securities by them may
be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
We will identify any underwriters, dealers or agents, and describe their
compensation, in a prospectus supplement.
Certain
of any such underwriters, dealers and agents, including their associates, may be
customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services for us and our
subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. One or more of our affiliates
may from time to time act as an agent or underwriter in connection with the sale
of the securities to the extent permitted by applicable law. The participation
of any such affiliate in the offer and sale of the securities will comply with
Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
regarding the offer and sale of securities of an affiliate.
We may
have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them
against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers
or agents may be required to make relating to those liabilities.
We may
authorize underwriters, dealers and agents to solicit offers by certain types of
institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set
forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts. These
contracts will provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the
future. The conditions to these contracts and the commissions payable for
solicitation of such contracts will be set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
In order
to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters, dealers or
agents, as the case may be, involved in the offering of such securities may
engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of
such securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to
determine payments on such securities. Specifically, the underwriters, dealers
or agents, as the case may be, may overallot in connection with the offering,
creating a short position in such securities for their own account. In addition,
to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of such securities or any such
other securities, the underwriters, dealers or agents, as the case may be, may
bid for, and purchase, such securities or any such other securities in the open
market. Finally, in any offering of such securities through a syndicate of
underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions
allotted to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing such securities in the
offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in
transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in a stabilization transaction
or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price
of the securities above independent market levels. The underwriters, dealers or
agents, as the case may be, are not required to engage in these activities, and
may end any of these activities at any time.
Some or
all of the securities may be new issues of securities with no established
trading market. Any underwriter to which securities are sold by us for public
offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but will not be
obligated to do so, and may discontinue any market making at any time without
notice. We cannot and will not give any assurances as to the liquidity of the
trading market for any of our securities.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Cravath,
Swaine & Moore LLP, our outside counsel, will pass upon the validity of the
offered securities for us and for CBS Operations. Any underwriters will be
advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own legal
counsel.
EXPERTS
The
consolidated financial statements, financial statement schedule and management’s
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
(which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial
Reporting) of CBS Corporation incorporated in this prospectus by reference to
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 have been so
incorporated by reference in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of
said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
PART
II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item
14. Other Expenses Of Issuance And Distribution.
The
following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses payable by CBS
Corporation in connection with the sale of the securities being registered
hereby.
Registration
fee
(1)
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$ --
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Legal
fees and
expenses
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250,000
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Printing
|
500,000
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Trustee
fees
|
100,000
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Rating
agency
fees
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1,000,000
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Accounting
fees and
expenses
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400,000
|
Miscellaneous
|
100,000
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TOTAL
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$ 2,350,000
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(1) To be
paid on pay as we go basis.
Item
15. Indemnification Of Directors And Officers.
CBS
Corporation is incorporated in the State of Delaware. Section 102(b)(7) of the
Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) allows a corporation to include in
its certificate of incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting the
personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except in cases
where the director breached his or her duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
stockholders, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or
a knowing violation of the law, willfully or negligently authorized the unlawful
payment of a dividend or approved an unlawful stock redemption or repurchase or
obtained an improper personal benefit. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation (the “CBS Charter”) contains provisions that eliminate directors’
personal liability, in certain circumstances.
Pursuant
to the CBS Charter and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “CBS Bylaws”), CBS
Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is involved in or is
threatened to be involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer or employee of
CBS Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of CBS Corporation as a
director, officer or employee (including a trustee) of another corporation,
limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
(such person, an “indemnitee”), to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as
the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against judgments, fines, amounts
paid in settlement and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), actually and
reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to proceedings to
enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, CBS Corporation
shall indemnify an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof)
initiated by the indemnitee, if and only if the Board of Directors of CBS
Corporation authorized the bringing of the action, suit or proceeding (or part
thereof) in advance of the commencement of the proceeding.
Pursuant
to the CBS Charter and the CBS Bylaws, to the extent that an indemnitee has been
successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’
fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection
therewith.
The
indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to,
the indemnification provisions of the CBS Charter and the CBS Bylaws shall not
be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking
indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any statute,
bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise,
both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another
capacity while holding such office. Without limiting the foregoing, CBS
Corporation is authorized to enter into an agreement with any director, officer
or employee of CBS Corporation providing indemnification for such person against
expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement that result from any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including
any action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of CBS Corporation, that
arises by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or
employee of CBS Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of CBS
Corporation as a director, officer or employee of another corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, to the
fullest extent allowed by law, except that no such agreement shall provide for
indemnification for any actions that constitute fraud, actual dishonesty or
willful misconduct.
CBS
Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is
or was a director, officer or employee of CBS Corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of CBS Corporation as a director, officer or employee of another
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred
by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such,
whether or not CBS Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her
against such liability under the provisions of the CBS Charter. CBS Corporation
has purchased certain liability insurance for its officers and directors as
permitted by Section 145(g) of the DGCL.
Item
16. Exhibits.
See
Exhibit Index.
Item
17. Undertakings.
The
undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
(1) To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);
(ii) To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering
range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate,
the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee”
table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (i),
(ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in
a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed
with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)
that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is
contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of
the registration statement.
(2) That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
in the post-effective amendment at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(4) That,
for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any
purchaser:
(i) Each
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to
be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was
deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each
prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as
part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an
offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of
providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall
be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the
earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or
the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described
in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the
issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be
deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the
securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement
made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference
into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such
effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the
registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement
or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective
date;
(5) That,
for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities
Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the
undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of
the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless
of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the
securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the
following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the
purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such
purchaser:
(i) Any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to
the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any
free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the
undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned
registrant;
(iii) The
portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing
material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided
by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any
other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned
registrant to the purchaser.
(6) That,
for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing
of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(7) Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been
advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will,
unless in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by them is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
(8) The
undersigned registrants hereby undertake to file an application for the purpose
of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of
Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust
Indenture Act.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of New York, State of New York, on this third day of November 2008.
CBS
CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ FREDRIC G. REYNOLDS |
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Name: Fredric G. Reynolds
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Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
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Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
*
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President
and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive
Officer)
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November 3, 2008
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Leslie
Moonves
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/s/
FREDRIC G. REYNOLDS |
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Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer)
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November
3, 2008
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Fredric
G. Reynolds
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/s/
SUSAN C. GORDON |
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Senior
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal
Accounting Officer)
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November
3, 2008
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Susan
C. Gordon
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*
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Executive
Chairman of the Board and Founder
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November
3, 2008
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Sumner
M. Redstone
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Director
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November
3, 2008
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David
R. Andelman
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*
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Director
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November
3, 2008
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Joseph
A. Califano, Jr.
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Director
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November
3, 2008
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William
S. Cohen
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Director
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November
3, 2008
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Gary
L. Countryman
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Director
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November
3, 2008
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Charles
K. Gifford
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Director
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November
3, 2008
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Leonard
Goldberg
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Director
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November
3, 2008
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Bruce
S. Gordon
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Director
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November
3, 2008
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Linda
M. Griego
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Director
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November
3, 2008
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Arnold
Kopelson
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Director
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November
3, 2008
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Doug
Morris
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Director
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November
3, 2008
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Shari
Redstone
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Director
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November 3, 2008
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Frederic
V. Salerno
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*By: |
/s/
LOUIS J.
BRISKMAN
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November
3, 2008
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Louis
J. Briskman,
Attorney-in-fact
for the Directors and Executive Officers
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of New York, State of New York, on this third day of November 2008.
CBS
OPERATIONS INC.
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By:
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/s/
FREDRIC G. REYNOLDS |
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Name: Fredric
G. Reynolds
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Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
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/s/
LESLIE MOONVES |
President
and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
|
November 3, 2008
|
Leslie
Moonves
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|
|
|
|
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/s/
FREDRIC G. REYNOLDS |
Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal
Financial Officer)
|
November
3, 2008
|
Fredric
G. Reynolds
|
|
|
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/s/
SUSAN C. GORDON |
Senior
Vice President and Controller and Director (Principal Accounting
Officer)
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November
3, 2008
|
Susan
C. Gordon
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|
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/s/
LOUIS J. BRISKMAN |
Director
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November
3, 2008
|
Louis
J. Briskman
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/s/
JOSEPH R. IANNIELLO |
Director
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November
3, 2008
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Joseph
R. Ianniello
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EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
No.
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Document
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4.1
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Amended
and Restated Senior Indenture dated as of November 3, 2008 between
CBS Corporation, CBS Operations Inc., and The Bank of New York Mellon, as
senior trustee.
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4.2
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Form
of Senior Subordinated Indenture between CBS Corporation, CBS Operations
Inc., and The Bank of New York Mellon, as senior subordinated
trustee.
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4.3
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Form
of Debt Warrant Agreement.
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4.4
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Form
of Standard Stock Warrant Agreement.
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5.1
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Opinion
of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP regarding the senior debt securities,
the senior subordinated debt securities, preferred stock, the guarantees
and the warrants.
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12.1
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Statement
regarding computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12 to CBS Corporation’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-09553) for the quarter ended
June 30, 2008, filed August 1, 2008).
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23.1
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Consent
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
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23.2
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Consent
of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP regarding the senior debt securities,
the senior subordinated debt securities, preferred stock, the guarantees
and the warrants (included in Exhibit 5.1).
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24.1
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Power
of Attorney for CBS Corporation.
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25.1
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Statement
of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York Mellon, as senior
trustee.
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25.2
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Statement
of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York Mellon, as senior
subordinated trustee.
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