UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________
FORM 10-Q
______________
(Mark One)
x
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012
or
 
 
 
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period From             to             
Commission File Number: 001-33664
Charter Communications, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
43-1857213
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
 
 
12405 Powerscourt Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63131
 
(314) 965-0555
(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically and posted on their corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x     Accelerated filer o     Non-accelerated filer o      Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x

APPLICABLE ONLY TO REGISTRANTS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes x No o

Number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2012 : 101,052,864








CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q is for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 . The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") allows us to "incorporate by reference" information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you directly to those documents. In this quarterly report, "we," "us" and "our" refer to Charter Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
 



i



CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This quarterly report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial including, without limitation, the forward-looking statements set forth in the “Results of Operations” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections under Part I, Item 2. “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this quarterly report. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward‑looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward‑looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, without limitation, the factors described under “Risk Factors” under Part II, Item 1A and the factors described under “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report may be identified by the use of forward‑looking words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “estimated,” “aim,” “on track,” “target,” “opportunity,” “tentative,” “positioning,” “designed,” “create” and “potential,” among others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward‑looking statements we make in this quarterly report are set forth in this quarterly report, in our annual report on Form 10-K, and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC, and include, but are not limited to:

our ability to sustain and grow revenues and free cash flow by offering video, Internet, telephone, advertising and other services to residential and commercial customers, to adequately meet the customer experience demands in our markets and to maintain and grow our customer base, particularly in the face of increasingly aggressive competition, the need for innovation and the related capital expenditures and the difficult economic conditions in the United States;

the development and deployment of new products and technologies;

the impact of competition from other market participants, including but not limited to incumbent telephone companies, direct broadcast satellite operators, wireless broadband and telephone providers, digital subscriber line (“DSL”) providers, and video provided over the Internet;

general business conditions, economic uncertainty or downturn, high unemployment levels and the level of activity in the housing sector;

our ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices or to raise prices to offset, in whole or in part, the effects of higher programming costs (including retransmission consents);

the effects of governmental regulation on our business;

the availability and access, in general, of funds to meet our debt obligations prior to or when they become due and to fund our operations and necessary capital expenditures, either through (i) cash on hand, (ii) free cash flow, or (iii) access to the capital or credit markets; and

our ability to comply with all covenants in our indentures and credit facilities any violation of which, if not cured in a timely manner, could trigger a default of our other obligations under cross-default provisions.
 
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We are under no duty or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this quarterly report.


ii



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions, except share data)
 
September 30,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
868

 
$
2

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
27

 
27

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
 
 
 
$18 and $16, respectively
254

 
272

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
80

 
69

Total current assets
1,229

 
370

 
 
 
 
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
 
 
 
depreciation of $3,320 and $2,364, respectively
7,159

 
6,897

Franchises
5,287

 
5,288

Customer relationships, net
1,492

 
1,704

Goodwill
953

 
954

Total investment in cable properties, net
14,891

 
14,843

 
 
 
 
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS
377

 
392

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
16,497

 
$
15,605

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
1,246

 
$
1,153

Current portion of long-term debt
870

 

Total current liabilities
2,116

 
1,153

 
 
 
 
LONG-TERM DEBT
12,820

 
12,856

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
1,054

 
847

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
334

 
340

 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
 
 
 
Class A common stock; $.001 par value; 900 million shares authorized;
 
 
 
101,068,420 and 100,570,418 shares issued, respectively

 

Class B common stock; $.001 par value; 25 million shares authorized;
 
 
 
no shares issued and outstanding

 

Preferred stock; $.001 par value; 250 million shares authorized;
 
 
 
no non-redeemable shares issued and outstanding

 

Additional paid-in capital
1,605

 
1,556

Accumulated deficit
(1,348
)
 
(1,082
)
Treasury stock at cost; 15,556 and 0 shares, respectively
(1
)
 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(83
)
 
(65
)
Total shareholders’ equity
173

 
409

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
16,497

 
$
15,605


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
1



CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in millions, except per share and share data)
Unaudited
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVENUES
$
1,880

 
$
1,809

 
$
5,591

 
$
5,370

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)
858

 
792

 
2,503

 
2,344

Selling, general and administrative
384

 
374

 
1,129

 
1,062

Depreciation and amortization
424

 
405

 
1,247

 
1,181

Other operating expenses, net
3

 
1

 
2

 
7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,669

 
1,572

 
4,881

 
4,594

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
211

 
237

 
710

 
776

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(229
)
 
(244
)
 
(691
)
 
(718
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(4
)
 
(74
)
 
(124
)
Other expense, net

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(229
)
 
(250
)
 
(766
)
 
(846
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss before income taxes
(18
)
 
(13
)
 
(56
)
 
(70
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
(69
)
 
(72
)
 
(208
)
 
(232
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(87
)
 
$
(85
)
 
$
(264
)
 
$
(302
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE, BASIC AND DILUTED
$
(0.87
)
 
$
(0.79
)
 
$
(2.65
)
 
$
(2.74
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
99,694,672

 
108,420,169

 
99,542,021

 
110,285,852


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(dollars in millions)
Unaudited
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(87
)
 
$
(85
)
 
$
(264
)
 
$
(302
)
Changes in fair value of interest rate swap agreements, net of tax
(7
)
 
(11
)
 
(18
)
 
(20
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive loss
$
(94
)
 
$
(96
)
 
$
(282
)
 
$
(322
)


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
2



CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
Unaudited
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(264
)
 
$
(302
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
1,247

 
1,181

Noncash interest expense
 
33

 
27

Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
74

 
124

Deferred income taxes
 
203

 
225

Other, net
 
25

 
26

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
18

 
(5
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
(12
)
 
(4
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
 
67

 
40

Net cash flows from operating activities
 
1,391

 
1,312

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
 
(1,296
)
 
(984
)
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures
 
16

 
(11
)
Sales (purchases) of cable systems, net
 
19

 
(89
)
Other, net
 
(18
)
 
(20
)
Net cash flows from investing activities
 
(1,279
)
 
(1,104
)
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Borrowings of long-term debt
 
4,353

 
3,801

Repayments of long-term debt
 
(3,554
)
 
(3,645
)
Payments for debt issuance costs
 
(41
)
 
(43
)
Purchase of treasury stock
 
(4
)
 
(323
)
Other, net
 

 
2

Net cash flows from financing activities
 
754

 
(208
)
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
866

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
 
29

 
32

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
 
$
895

 
$
32

 
 
 
 
 
CASH PAID FOR INTEREST
 
$
647

 
$
649



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



1.    Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”) is a holding company whose principal asset is a 100% common equity interest in Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (“Charter Holdco”). Charter owns cable systems through its subsidiaries, which are collectively, with Charter, referred to herein as the “Company.” All significant intercompany accounts and transactions among consolidated entities have been eliminated.

The Company is a cable operator providing services in the United States. The Company offers to residential and commercial customers traditional cable video programming (basic and digital video), Internet services, and telephone services, as well as advanced video services such as Charter OnDemand™, high definition television, and digital video recorder (“DVR”) service. The Company sells its cable video programming, Internet, telephone, and advanced video services primarily on a subscription basis. The Company also sells local advertising on cable networks and on the Internet and provides fiber connectivity to cellular towers.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures typically included in Charter's Annual Report on Form 10-K have been condensed or omitted for this quarterly report. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and are subject to review by regulatory authorities. However, in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments, which consist of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Areas involving significant judgments and estimates include capitalization of labor and overhead costs; depreciation and amortization costs; impairments of property, plant and equipment, intangibles and goodwill; income taxes; contingencies and programming expense. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2012 presentation.

Restricted cash and cash equivalents on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets consist of amounts held in an escrow account pending final resolution from the Bankruptcy Court. Restricted cash is included in cash and cash equivalents on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.  See Note 10.




4


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


2.    Franchises, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , indefinite lived and finite-lived intangible assets are presented in the following table:

 
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Carrying Amount
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Carrying Amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indefinite lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Franchises
 
$
5,287

 
$

 
$
5,287

 
$
5,288

 
$

 
$
5,288

Goodwill
 
953

 

 
953

 
954

 

 
954

Trademarks
 
158

 

 
158

 
158

 

 
158

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
6,398

 
$

 
$
6,398

 
$
6,400

 
$

 
$
6,400

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finite-lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships
 
$
2,368

 
$
876

 
$
1,492

 
$
2,368

 
$
664

 
$
1,704

Other intangible assets
 
97

 
26

 
71

 
79

 
16

 
63

 
 
$
2,465

 
$
902

 
$
1,563

 
$
2,447

 
$
680

 
$
1,767


Amortization expense related to customer relationships and other intangible assets for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $74 million and $79 million , respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $222 million and $238 million , respectively. Franchises and goodwill decreased by $1 million and $1 million , respectively, as a result of cable system divestitures completed during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 .

The Company expects amortization expense on its finite-lived intangible assets will be as follows.

Three months ending December 31, 2012
 
$
72

2013
 
267

2014
 
241

2015
 
215

2016
 
188

Thereafter
 
580

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,563


Actual amortization expense in future periods could differ from these estimates as a result of new intangible asset acquisitions or divestitures, changes in useful lives, impairments and other relevant factors.




5


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


3.    Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 :

 
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable – trade
 
$
157

 
$
142

Accrued capital expenditures
 
159

 
143

Accrued expenses:
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
212

 
191

Programming costs
 
332

 
303

Franchise related fees
 
46

 
50

Compensation
 
130

 
123

Other
 
210

 
201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,246

 
$
1,153



4.    Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 :

 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
Principal Amount
 
Accreted Value
 
Principal Amount
 
Accreted Value
CCH II, LLC:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13.500% senior notes due November 30, 2016
$
1,146

 
$
1,290

 
$
1,480

 
$
1,692

CCO Holdings, LLC:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.250% senior notes due October 30, 2017
1,000

 
1,000

 
1,000

 
1,000

7.875% senior notes due April 30, 2018
900

 
900

 
900

 
900

7.000% senior notes due January 15, 2019
1,400

 
1,392

 
1,400

 
1,391

8.125% senior notes due April 30, 2020
700

 
700

 
700

 
700

7.375% senior notes due June 1, 2020
750

 
750

 
750

 
750

6.500% senior notes due April 30, 2021
1,500

 
1,500

 
1,500

 
1,500

6.625% senior notes due January 31, 2022
750

 
746

 

 

5.250% senior notes due September 30, 2022
1,250

 
1,238

 

 

Credit facility due September 6, 2014
350

 
335

 
350

 
326

Charter Communications Operating, LLC:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.000% senior second-lien notes due April 30, 2012

 

 
500

 
502

10.875% senior second-lien notes due September 15, 2014

 

 
312

 
331

Credit facilities
3,970

 
3,839

 
3,929

 
3,764

Total Debt
$
13,716

 
$
13,690

 
$
12,821

 
$
12,856

Less: Current Portion
773

 
870

 

 

Long-Term Debt
$
12,943

 
$
12,820

 
$
12,821

 
$
12,856




6


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


The accreted values presented above represent the fair value of the notes as of the date the Company emerged from Bankruptcy (see Note 10) or the principal amount of the notes less the original issue discount at the time of sale, plus the accretion to the balance sheet date. However, the amount that is currently payable if the debt becomes immediately due is equal to the principal amount of the debt. The Company has availability under its credit facilities of approximately $1.1 billion as of September 30, 2012 .

In January 2011, CCO Holdings, LLC ("CCO Holdings") and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. closed on transactions in which they issued $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of 7.000% senior notes due 2019. The net proceeds of the issuances were contributed by CCO Holdings to Charter Communications Operating, LLC ("Charter Operating") as a capital contribution and were used to repay indebtedness under the Charter Operating credit facilities. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $67 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 related to these transactions.

In May 2011, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. closed on transactions in which they issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.500% senior notes due 2021. The net proceeds of the issuances were contributed by CCO Holdings to Charter Operating as a capital contribution and intercompany loan and were used to repay indebtedness under the Charter Operating credit facilities. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $53 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 related to these transactions.

In August 2011, Charter Operating repurchased, in private transactions, a total of $193 million principal amount of Charter Operating 8.000% senior second-lien notes due 2012 for approximately $199 million cash. The transactions resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

In January 2012, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. closed on transactions in which they issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6.625% senior notes due 2022. The notes were issued at a price of 99.5% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds of the notes were used, along with a draw on the $500 million delayed draw portion of the Charter Operating Term Loan A facility, to repurchase $300 million aggregate principal amount of Charter Operating's outstanding 8.000% senior second-lien notes due 2012, $294 million aggregate principal amount of Charter Operating's 10.875% senior second-lien notes due 2014 and $334 million aggregate principal amount of CCH II, LLC's ("CCH II") 13.500% senior notes due 2016, as well as to repay amounts outstanding under the Company's revolving credit facility. The tender offers closed in January and February 2012 and the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $15 million on this transaction for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 .

In March 2012, Charter Operating redeemed the remaining $18 million of 10.875% senior notes due 2014 pursuant to a notice of redemption.

In April 2012, Charter Operating entered into a senior secured term loan D facility pursuant to the terms of the Charter Operating credit agreement providing for $750 million of term loans with a final maturity date of May 15, 2019. Pricing on the new term loan D was set at LIBOR plus 3% with a LIBOR floor of 1% , and issued at a price of 99.5% of the aggregate principal amount. The proceeds were used to refinance Charter Operating's existing term loan B-1 and term loan B-2, both due 2014, with the remaining amount used to pay down a portion of its existing term loan C due 2016. Charter Operating concurrently amended and restated its existing $1.3 billion revolving credit facility with a new $1.15 billion revolving credit facility due 2017 at the interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% and amended and restated its existing credit agreement dated March 31, 2010 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”). The amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement included, among other things, certain allowances under the negative covenants, including an allowance for restricted payments so long as the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as defined in the Charter Operating credit agreement is no greater than 3.5 after giving pro forma effect to such restricted payment, the calculation of certain financial covenants and changes to the related financial definitions, and the thresholds for certain events of default, including a modification of the Change of Control definition. The Change of Control definition was amended to conform to the provision contained in the CCO Holdings' indentures so that a Change of Control would now occur upon both the consummation of a transaction resulting in any person or group having the power to vote more than 50% of the ordinary voting power and a Ratings Event as defined in the Charter Operating credit agreement. The Change of Control definition previously contained the more than 50% threshold without the Ratings Event trigger. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $ 59 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 related to these transactions.



7


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


In April 2012, CCO Holdings entered into an amendment to its existing credit agreement dated March 6, 2007 which included, among other things, amendments to the Change of Control definition and certain other provisions and definitions related thereto. The Change of Control definition was amended to conform to the provision contained in Charter Operating's credit agreement as described above. Previously, the percentage of voting power necessary for a Change of Control had been 35% , and the definition of Change of Control did not include a Ratings Event.

In August 2012, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. closed on transactions in which they issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior notes due 2022. The notes were issued at a price of 99.026% of the aggregate principal amount. The proceeds from the notes will be used for general corporate purposes, including repaying amounts outstanding under the Company's revolving credit facility, and to fund the redemption of the CCH II 13.500% senior notes due 2016 on or before November 30, 2012. In October 2012, the Company redeemed $678 million aggregate principal amount of the CCH II 13.500% senior notes due 2016 at 108.522% of the principal amount. In October 2012, the Company also sent out notices of redemption for the remaining $468 million aggregate principal amount of CCH II 13.500% senior notes due 2016 at 106.75% of the principal amount. The current portion of long-term debt represents the accreted value of the notes that will be paid with available cash. The remainder is classified as long-term as it will be refinanced from borrowings on the Company's revolving credit facility. The Company expects to record a non-cash gain on the redemptions of approximately $52 million during the fourth quarter of 2012 related to these transactions.

5.    Treasury Stock

On March 22, 2011, the Company purchased, in a private transaction, 4.5 million shares of Charter’s Class A common stock from funds advised by Franklin Advisers, Inc.  The price paid was $46.10 per share for a total of $207 million .  The transaction was funded from existing cash on hand and available liquidity.  The shares were reflected on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets as treasury stock until retired in December 2011.

In January 2012, the Company purchased, in a private transaction with a shareholder, 49,332 shares of its common stock at $55.18 for a total of $3 million . These shares were retired in January 2012.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , the Company withheld 4,632 and 15,556 shares, respectively, of its common stock in payment of $1 million income tax withholding owed by employees upon vesting of restricted shares. The Company accounts for treasury stock using the cost method and includes treasury stock as a component of total shareholders' equity.

6.     Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage its interest costs and reduce the Company’s exposure to increases in floating interest rates. The Company manages its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. Using interest rate swap agreements, the Company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals through 2017, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to agreed-upon notional principal amounts.

The Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes. The Company has certain interest rate derivative instruments that have been designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Such instruments effectively convert variable interest payments on certain debt instruments into fixed payments. For qualifying hedges, realized derivative gains and losses offset related results on hedged items in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company formally documents, designates and assesses the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting.



8


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


The effect of derivative instruments on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets is presented in the table below:

 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
Other long-term liabilities:
 
 
 
Fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as hedges
$
72

 
$
65

 
 
 
 
Accrued interest:
 
 
 
Fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as hedges
$
11

 
$

 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
Fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as hedges
$
(83
)
 
$
(65
)

Changes in the fair value of interest rate agreements that are designated as hedging instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt obligations, and that meet effectiveness criteria are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The amounts are subsequently reclassified as an increase or decrease to interest expense in the same periods in which the related interest on the floating-rate debt obligations affected earnings (losses).

The effects of derivative instruments on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss and condensed consolidated statements of operations is presented in the table below.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on interest rate derivatives designated as hedges (effective portion)
$
(7
)
 
$
(11
)
 
(18
)
 
(20
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into interest expense
$
(10
)
 
$
(10
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$
(30
)

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , the Company had $3.1 billion and $2.0 billion in notional amounts of interest rate swap agreements outstanding. The notional amounts of interest rate instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of exposure to credit loss. The amounts exchanged were determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the contracts.

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company entered into $1.1 billion in delayed start interest rate swaps that become effective in March 2013 through March 2015.  In any future quarter in which a portion of these delayed start hedges first becomes effective, an equal or greater notional amount of the currently effective swaps are scheduled to mature.  Therefore, the $2.0 billion notional amount of currently effective interest rate swaps will gradually step down over time as current swaps mature and an equal or lesser amount of delayed start swaps become effective.


9


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



7.    Fair Value Measurements

Financial Assets and Liabilities

The Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment, however, is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company would realize in a current market exchange.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are based on quoted market prices and is classified within Level 1 (defined below) of the valuation hierarchy.

A summary of the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is as follows:

 
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CCH II debt
 
$
1,290

 
$
1,247

 
$
1,692

 
$
1,713

CCO Holdings debt
 
$
8,226

 
$
8,866

 
$
6,241

 
$
6,630

Charter Operating debt
 
$

 
$

 
$
833

 
$
847

Credit facilities
 
$
4,174

 
$
4,312

 
$
4,090

 
$
4,193


The interest rate derivatives designated as hedges were valued as $83 million and $65 million liabilities as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , respectively, using a present value calculation based on an implied forward LIBOR curve (adjusted for Charter Operating’s or counterparties’ credit risk) and were classified within Level 2 (defined below) of the valuation hierarchy. The weighted average pay rate for the Company’s currently effective interest rate swaps was 2.25% at both September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (exclusive of applicable spreads).

The accounting guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements, based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date, as follows:

Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities

The Company’s nonfinancial assets such as franchises, property, plant, and equipment, and other intangible assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis; however they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence that an impairment may exist.  No impairments were recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 .




10


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


8.     Other Operating Expenses, Net

Other operating expenses, net consist of the following for the years presented:

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Gain)/loss on sale of assets, net
$
1

 
$

 
$
(12
)
 
$

Special charges, net
2

 
1

 
14

 
7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
7


(Gain)/loss on sale of assets, net

(Gain)/loss on sale of assets represents the gain or loss recognized on the sales of fixed assets and cable systems.

Special charges, net

Special charges, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 primarily includes severance charges and settlements.

9.    Income Taxes

All of Charter’s operations are held through Charter Holdco and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Charter Holdco and the majority of its subsidiaries are generally limited liability companies that are not subject to income tax. However, certain of these limited liability companies are subject to state income tax. In addition, the indirect subsidiaries that are corporations are subject to federal and state income tax. All of the remaining taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of Charter Holdco are passed through to Charter.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , the Company recorded $69 million and $208 million of income tax expense, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 , the Company recorded $72 million and $232 million of income tax expense, respectively. The income tax expense is recognized primarily through increases in deferred tax liabilities related to our investment in Charter Holdco, as well as through current federal and state income tax expense (net of refunds) and increases in the deferred tax liabilities of certain of our indirect corporate subsidiaries. The tax provision in future periods will vary based on current and future temporary differences, as well as future operating results.

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , the Company had net deferred income tax liabilities of approximately $1.0 billion and $824 million , respectively. Included in net deferred tax liabilities are net current deferred assets of $23 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets of the Company. Net deferred tax liabilities included approximately $224 million and $221 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , respectively, relating to certain indirect subsidiaries of Charter Holdco that file separate federal or state income tax returns.  The remainder of the Company's net deferred tax liability arose from Charter's investment in Charter Holdco, and was largely attributable to the characterization of franchises for financial reporting purposes as indefinite-lived.

No tax years for Charter or Charter Holdco are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.  Tax years ending 2009 through 2011 remain subject to examination and assessment. Years prior to 2009 remain open solely for purposes of examination of Charter’s loss and credit carryforwards.


11




10.       Contingencies

On March 27, 2009, Charter filed a Chapter 11 petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. On November 17, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court issued its Order and Opinion confirming the Plan over the objections of various objectors. Charter consummated the Plan on November 30, 2009 and reinstated the Charter Operating Credit Agreement and certain other debt of its subsidiaries.

Two appeals are pending relating to confirmation of the Plan, the appeals by (i) Law Debenture Trust Company of New York (“Law Debenture Trust”) (as the Trustee with respect to the $479 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% convertible senior notes due 2027 issued by Charter which are no longer outstanding following consummation of the Plan); and (ii) R 2 Investments, LDC (“R 2 Investments”) (a former equity interest holder in Charter). The appeals by Law Debenture Trust and R 2 Investments were denied by the District Court for the Southern District of New York in March 2011. On August 31, 2012, the 2nd Circuit unanimously affirmed the district court's decision holding that R 2 and LDT's appeals are equitably moot. Thereafter, R 2 and LDT sought a rehearing en banc with the 2nd Circuit. On October 18, 2012, the 2 nd Circuit denied that request. The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the appeals nor can it estimate a reasonable range of loss.

The Company is also a defendant or co-defendant in several lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of its businesses.  Other industry participants are also defendants in certain of these cases. In the event that a court ultimately determines that the Company infringes on any intellectual property rights, the Company may be subject to substantial damages and/or an injunction that could require the Company or its vendors to modify certain products and services the Company offers to its subscribers, as well as negotiate royalty or license agreements with respect to the patents at issue.  While the Company believes the lawsuits are without merit and intends to defend the actions vigorously, no assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. The Company cannot predict the outcome of any such claims nor can it estimate a reasonable range of loss.

The Company is party to lawsuits and claims that arise in the ordinary course of conducting its business, including lawsuits claiming violation of anti-trust laws and violation of wage and hour laws. The ultimate outcome of these other legal matters pending against the Company cannot be predicted, and although such lawsuits and claims are not expected individually to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, such lawsuits could have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Whether or not the Company ultimately prevails in any particular lawsuit or claim, litigation can be time consuming and costly and injure the Company's reputation.

11.       Stock Compensation Plans

Charter’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan provides for grants of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, performance units and performance shares, share awards, phantom stock, restricted stock units and restricted stock.  Directors, officers and other employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as others performing consulting services for the Company, are eligible for grants under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 , the Company granted 243,800 shares of restricted stock. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 , the Company granted 27,000 and 57,100 shares of restricted stock, respectively. Restricted stock vests annually over a one to four -year period beginning from the date of grant. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , the Company granted 121,500 and 575,200 stock options, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 , the Company granted 201,900 and 2.4 million stock options, respectively. Stock options generally vest annually over four years from either the grant date or delayed vesting commencement dates. A portion of stock options and restricted stock vest based on achievement of stock price hurdles. Stock options generally expire ten years from the grant date. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , the Company granted 31,900 and 94,300 restricted stock units, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 , the Company granted 7,500 and 238,000 restricted stock units, respectively. Restricted stock units have no voting rights and vest ratably over four years from either the grant date or delayed vesting commencement dates. As of September 30, 2012 , total unrecognized compensation remaining to be recognized in future periods totaled $38 million for restricted stock, $49 million for stock options and $15 million for restricted stock units and the weighted average period over which they are expected to be recognized is three years.

The Company recorded $13 million and $37 million of stock compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , respectively, and $10 million and $26 million of stock compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 , respectively, which is included in selling, general, and administrative expense and other operating expenses, net.


12


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)




12.       Consolidating Schedules

The CCO Holdings notes and the CCO Holdings credit facility are obligations of CCO Holdings. The CCH II notes are obligations of CCH II. However, these notes of CCO Holdings and CCH II are also jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by Charter. 

The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10, Financial Statements of Guarantors and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize an Issue Registered or Being Registered. This information is not intended to present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the individual companies or groups of companies in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Condensed consolidating financial statements as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 follow.


13


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


Charter Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charter
 
Intermediate Holding Companies
 
CCH II
 
CCO Holdings
 
Charter Operating and Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Charter Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
14

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
398

 
$
453

 
$

 
$
868

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 
27

 

 
27

Accounts receivable, net

 
4

 

 

 
250

 

 
254

Receivables from related party
94

 
147

 
6

 
7

 

 
(254
)
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
21

 
10

 

 

 
49

 

 
80

Total current assets
129

 
164

 
6

 
405

 
779

 
(254
)
 
1,229

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net

 
32

 

 

 
7,127

 

 
7,159

Franchises

 

 

 

 
5,287

 

 
5,287

Customer relationships, net

 

 

 

 
1,492

 

 
1,492

Goodwill

 

 

 

 
953

 

 
953

Total investment in cable properties, net

 
32

 

 

 
14,859

 

 
14,891

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CC VIII PREFERRED INTEREST
100

 
235

 

 

 

 
(335
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES
1,007

 
475

 
1,514

 
9,382

 

 
(12,378
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LOANS RECEIVABLE – RELATED PARTY

 
44

 
265

 
359

 

 
(668
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS

 
158

 

 
109

 
110

 

 
377

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
1,236

 
$
1,108

 
$
1,785

 
$
10,255

 
$
15,748

 
$
(13,635
)
 
$
16,497

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’/MEMBER’S EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
11

 
$
101

 
$
20

 
$
180

 
$
934

 
$

 
$
1,246

Payables to related party

 

 

 

 
254

 
(254
)
 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 
870

 

 

 

 
870

Total current liabilities
11

 
101

 
890

 
180

 
1,188

 
(254
)
 
2,116

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LONG-TERM DEBT

 

 
420

 
8,561

 
3,839

 

 
12,820

LOANS PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY

 

 

 

 
668

 
(668
)
 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
828

 

 

 

 
226

 

 
1,054

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
224

 

 

 

 
110

 

 
334

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders’/Member’s equity
173

 
1,007

 
475

 
1,514

 
9,382

 
(12,378
)
 
173

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 
335

 
(335
)
 

Total shareholders’/member’s equity
173

 
1,007

 
475

 
1,514

 
9,717

 
(12,713
)
 
173

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’/member’s equity
$
1,236

 
$
1,108

 
$
1,785

 
$
10,255

 
$
15,748

 
$
(13,635
)
 
$
16,497




14


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


Charter Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2011
 
 
Charter
 
Intermediate Holding Companies
 
CCH II
 
CCO Holdings
 
Charter Operating and Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Charter Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 
27

 

 
27

Accounts receivable, net

 
4

 

 

 
268

 

 
272

Receivables from related party
58

 
176

 
8

 
7

 

 
(249
)
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
21

 
21

 

 

 
27

 

 
69

Total current assets
79

 
201

 
8

 
9

 
322

 
(249
)
 
370

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net

 
33

 

 

 
6,864

 

 
6,897

Franchises

 

 

 

 
5,288

 

 
5,288

Customer relationships, net

 

 

 

 
1,704

 

 
1,704

Goodwill

 

 

 

 
954

 

 
954

Total investment in cable properties, net

 
33

 

 

 
14,810

 

 
14,843

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CC VIII PREFERRED INTEREST
91

 
213

 

 

 

 
(304
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES
1,102

 
592

 
2,094

 
8,623

 

 
(12,411
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LOANS RECEIVABLE – RELATED PARTY

 
43

 
256

 
37

 

 
(336
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS

 
158

 

 
90

 
144

 

 
392

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
1,272

 
$
1,240

 
$
2,358

 
$
8,759

 
$
15,276

 
$
(13,300
)
 
$
15,605

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’/MEMBER’S EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
12

 
$
134

 
$
74

 
$
98

 
$
835

 
$

 
$
1,153

Payables to related party

 

 

 

 
249

 
(249
)
 

Total current liabilities
12

 
134

 
74

 
98

 
1,084

 
(249
)
 
1,153

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LONG-TERM DEBT

 

 
1,692

 
6,567

 
4,597

 

 
12,856

LOANS PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY

 

 

 

 
336

 
(336
)
 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
624

 

 

 

 
223

 

 
847

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
227

 
4

 

 

 
109

 

 
340

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders’/Member’s equity
409

 
1,102

 
592

 
2,094

 
8,623

 
(12,411
)
 
409

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 
304

 
(304
)
 

Total shareholders’/member’s equity
409

 
1,102

 
592

 
2,094

 
8,927

 
(12,715
)
 
409

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’/member’s equity
$
1,272

 
$
1,240

 
$
2,358

 
$
8,759

 
$
15,276

 
$
(13,300
)
 
$
15,605



15


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



Charter Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charter
 
Intermediate Holding Companies
 
CCH II
 
CCO
Holdings
 
Charter Operating and Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Charter Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVENUES
$
19

 
$
113

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,591

 
$
(132
)
 
$
5,591

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)

 

 

 

 
2,503

 

 
2,503

Selling, general and administrative
19

 
113

 

 

 
1,129

 
(132
)
 
1,129

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 
1,247

 

 
1,247

Other operating expenses, net

 

 

 

 
2

 

 
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19

 
113

 

 

 
4,881

 
(132
)
 
4,881

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations

 

 

 

 
710

 

 
710

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSES):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net

 
1

 
(94
)
 
(398
)
 
(200
)
 

 
(691
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 
(6
)
 

 
(68
)
 

 
(74
)
Other expense, net

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries
(73
)
 
(96
)
 
4

 
402

 

 
(237
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(73
)
 
(95
)
 
(96
)
 
4

 
(269
)
 
(237
)
 
(766
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
(73
)
 
(95
)
 
(96
)
 
4

 
441

 
(237
)
 
(56
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
(200
)
 

 

 

 
(8
)
 

 
(208
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated net income (loss)
(273
)
 
(95
)
 
(96
)
 
4

 
433

 
(237
)
 
(264
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Net (income) loss – noncontrolling interest
9

 
22

 

 

 
(31
)
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(264
)
 
$
(73
)
 
$
(96
)
 
$
4

 
$
402

 
$
(237
)
 
$
(264
)


16


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)




Charter Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charter
 
Intermediate Holding Companies
 
CCH II
 
CCO
Holdings
 
Charter Operating and Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Charter Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVENUES
$
24

 
$
92

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,370

 
$
(116
)
 
$
5,370

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)

 

 

 

 
2,344

 

 
2,344

Selling, general and administrative
24

 
92

 

 

 
1,062

 
(116
)
 
1,062

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 
1,181

 

 
1,181

Other operating expenses, net

 

 

 

 
7

 

 
7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24

 
92

 

 

 
4,594

 
(116
)
 
4,594

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations

 

 

 

 
776

 

 
776

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSES):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net

 
1

 
(144
)
 
(274
)
 
(301
)
 

 
(718
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 
(124
)
 

 
(124
)
Other expense, net

 

 

 

 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries
(82
)
 
(106
)
 
38

 
312

 

 
(162
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(82
)
 
(105
)
 
(106
)
 
38

 
(429
)
 
(162
)
 
(846
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
(82
)
 
(105
)
 
(106
)
 
38

 
347

 
(162
)
 
(70
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
(229
)
 

 

 

 
(3
)
 

 
(232
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated net income (loss)
(311
)
 
(105
)
 
(106
)
 
38

 
344

 
(162
)
 
(302
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Net (income) loss – noncontrolling interest
9

 
23

 

 

 
(32
)
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(302
)
 
$
(82
)
 
$
(106
)
 
$
38

 
$
312

 
$
(162
)
 
$
(302
)





17


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



Charter Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charter
 
Intermediate Holding Companies
 
CCH II
 
CCO
Holdings
 
Charter Operating and Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Charter Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated net income (loss)
$
(273
)
 
$
(95
)
 
$
(96
)
 
$
4

 
$
433

 
$
(237
)
 
$
(264
)
Changes in fair value of interest rate swap agreements, net of tax

 

 

 

 
(18
)
 

 
(18
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
(273
)
 
$
(95
)
 
$
(96
)
 
$
4

 
$
415

 
$
(237
)
 
$
(282
)


Charter Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charter
 
Intermediate Holding Companies
 
CCH II
 
CCO
Holdings
 
Charter Operating and Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Charter Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated net income (loss)
$
(311
)
 
$
(105
)
 
$
(106
)
 
$
38

 
$
344

 
$
(162
)
 
$
(302
)
Changes in fair value of interest rate swap agreements, net of tax

 

 

 

 
(20
)
 

 
(20
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
(311
)
 
$
(105
)
 
$
(106
)
 
$
38

 
$
324

 
$
(162
)
 
$
(322
)


18


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


Charter Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charter
 
Intermediate Holding Companies
 
CCH II
 
CCO
Holdings
 
Charter Operating and Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Charter Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated net income (loss)
$
(273
)
 
$
(95
)
 
$
(96
)
 
$
4

 
$
433

 
$
(237
)
 
$
(264
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 
1,247

 

 
1,247

Noncash interest expense

 

 
(21
)
 
18

 
36

 

 
33

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 
6

 

 
68

 

 
74

Deferred income taxes
200

 

 

 

 
3

 

 
203

Equity in (income) losses of subsidiaries
73

 
96

 
(4
)
 
(402
)
 

 
237

 

Other, net

 
(1
)
 

 

 
26

 

 
25

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable

 

 

 

 
18

 

 
18

Prepaid expenses and other assets
1

 
11

 

 

 
(24
)
 

 
(12
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other

 
(33
)
 
(57
)
 
81

 
76

 

 
67

Receivables from and payables to related party
1

 
28

 
(6
)
 
(7
)
 
(16
)
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash flows from operating activities
2

 
6

 
(178
)
 
(306
)
 
1,867

 

 
1,391

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 
(1,296
)
 

 
(1,296
)
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures

 

 

 

 
16

 

 
16

Sales of cable systems

 

 

 

 
19

 

 
19

Contribution to subsidiary

 

 

 
(1,244
)
 

 
1,244

 

Distributions from subsidiary
3

 
15

 
567

 
870

 

 
(1,455
)
 

Other, net

 

 

 

 
(18
)
 

 
(18
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash flows from investing activities
3

 
15

 
567

 
(374
)
 
(1,279
)
 
(211
)
 
(1,279
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borrowings of long-term debt

 

 

 
1,984

 
2,369

 

 
4,353

Repayments of long-term debt

 

 
(386
)
 

 
(3,168
)
 

 
(3,554
)
Borrowings (payments) loans payable - related parties

 

 

 
(314
)
 
314

 

 

Payment for debt issuance costs

 

 

 
(27
)
 
(14
)
 

 
(41
)
Purchase of treasury stock
(4
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(4
)
Contributions from parent

 

 

 

 
1,244

 
(1,244
)
 

Distributions to parent

 
(15
)
 
(3
)
 
(567
)
 
(870
)
 
1,455

 

Other, net
13

 
(3
)
 

 

 
(10
)
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash flows from financing activities
9

 
(18
)
 
(389
)
 
1,076

 
(135
)
 
211

 
754

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
14

 
3

 

 
396

 
453

 

 
866

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

 

 

 
2

 
27

 

 
29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
$
14

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
398

 
$
480

 
$

 
$
895



19


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


Charter Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charter
 
Intermediate Holding Companies
 
CCH II
 
CCO
Holdings
 
Charter Operating and Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Charter Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated net income (loss)
$
(311
)
 
$
(105
)
 
$
(106
)
 
$
38

 
$
344

 
$
(162
)
 
$
(302
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 
1,181

 

 
1,181

Noncash interest expense

 

 
(28
)
 
15

 
40

 

 
27

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 
124

 

 
124

Deferred income taxes
229

 

 

 

 
(4
)
 

 
225

Equity in (income) losses of subsidiaries
82

 
106

 
(38
)
 
(312
)
 

 
162

 

Other, net

 

 

 

 
26

 

 
26

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable

 
(2
)
 

 

 
(3
)
 

 
(5
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets

 
4

 

 

 
(8
)
 

 
(4
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other

 
(16
)
 
(61
)
 
104

 
13

 

 
40

Receivables from and payables to related party

 
9

 
(6
)
 
(5
)
 
2

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash flows from operating activities

 
(4
)
 
(239
)
 
(160
)
 
1,715

 

 
1,312

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 
(984
)
 

 
(984
)
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures

 

 

 

 
(11
)
 

 
(11
)
Purchases of cable systems

 

 

 

 
(89
)
 

 
(89
)
Contribution to subsidiary

 

 

 
(2,647
)
 

 
2,647

 

Distributions from subsidiary
206

 
1,630

 
562

 
493

 

 
(2,891
)
 

Other, net

 

 

 

 
(20
)
 

 
(20
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash flows from investing activities
206

 
1,630

 
562

 
(2,154
)
 
(1,104
)
 
(244
)
 
(1,104
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borrowings of long-term debt

 

 

 
2,890

 
911

 

 
3,801

Repayments of long-term debt

 

 

 

 
(3,645
)
 

 
(3,645
)
Borrowings (payments) loans payable - related parties

 

 

 
30

 
(30
)
 

 

Payment for debt issuance costs

 

 

 
(43
)
 

 

 
(43
)
Purchase of treasury stock
(207
)
 
(116
)
 

 

 

 

 
(323
)
Contributions from parent

 

 

 

 
2,647

 
(2,647
)
 

Distributions to parent

 
(1,510
)
 
(326
)
 
(562
)
 
(493
)
 
2,891

 

Other, net
4

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash flows from financing activities
(203
)
 
(1,626
)
 
(326
)
 
2,315

 
(612
)
 
244

 
(208
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
3

 

 
(3
)
 
1

 
(1
)
 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

 

 
3

 
1

 
28

 

 
32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
$
3

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
27

 
$

 
$
32





20



Item 2.        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

General

Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”) is a holding company whose principal asset is a 100% common equity interest in Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (“Charter Holdco”). Charter owns cable systems through its subsidiaries.

We are a cable operator providing services in the United States with approximately 5.3 million residential and commercial customers at September 30, 2012 . We offer our customers traditional cable video programming (basic and digital video), Internet services, and telephone services, as well as advanced video services such as Charter OnDemand TM (“OnDemand”), high definition (“HD”) television and digital video recorder (“DVR”) service. We also sell local advertising on cable networks and provide fiber connectivity to cellular towers.

Overview

Total revenue growth was 4% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the corresponding periods in 2011 , respectively, as we continued to grow our Internet and commercial businesses and also due to increased advertising revenue. Video revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the corresponding period in 2011 remained flat and declined 1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the corresponding period in 2011 . For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , adjusted earnings (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) was $651 million and $2.0 billion , respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 , Adjusted EBITDA was $653 million and $2.0 billion , respectively.  See “—Use of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow” for further information on Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow.  Adjusted EBITDA remained flat for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the corresponding periods in 2011 as a result of higher programming costs, expenses associated with driving higher growth and investments in the customer experience offset by an increase in Internet, commercial and advertising revenues. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , our income from operations was $211 million and $710 million , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 , our income from operations was $237 million and $776 million , respectively. The decrease in income from operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 is primarily due to increases in depreciation and amortization.

Our business plans include goals for increasing the number of customers and revenue.  To reach our goals, we have been working to further improve the quality of the video product we offer by increasing digital and HD-DVR penetration and no longer actively marketing analog service.  As we entered the third quarter, we accelerated these improvements.  Our goal was 100 HD channels across substantially all of our footprint by the end of the year and we reached that goal in July 2012.  We have simplified our offers and pricing and improved our packaging of products to bring more value to our customers, with particular focus on offers aimed at new customers to increase the penetration of our products in our markets.  In addition, we are implementing a number of changes to our organizational structure, selling methods and operating tactics which we believe will position us for better customer service and growth. In the short term, however, we expect that customer connects, revenue and operating expenses may be adversely impacted during this transition. We also expect our capital expenditures to remain elevated as we strive to increase digital and HD-DVR penetration, place higher levels of customer premise equipment per transaction and progressively move to an all-digital platform.
 
We believe that continued competition and the weakened economic conditions in the United States, including weakness in the housing market and relatively high unemployment levels, have adversely affected consumer demand for our services, particularly basic video. Our video competitors often offer more channels, including more HD channels, and typically only offer digital services which have a better picture quality compared to our analog product. In the current economic environment, customers have been more willing to consider our competitors' products, partially because of increased marketing highlighting perceived differences between competitive video products, especially when those competitors are often offering significant incentives to switch providers. We also believe some customers have chosen to receive video over the Internet rather than through our OnDemand and premium video services, thereby reducing our video revenues. We believe competition from wireless and economic factors have contributed to an increase in the number of homes that replace their traditional telephone service with wireless service thereby impacting the growth of our telephone business.

If the economic and competitive conditions discussed above do not improve or our efforts to improve our products and the way we market those products are not ultimately successful in increasing our growth, we believe our business and results of operations will be adversely affected, which may contribute to future impairments of our franchises and goodwill.

 


21




The following table summarizes our customer statistics for basic video, digital video, Internet and telephone as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands).

 
Approximate as of
 
September 30,
 
2012 (a)
 
2011 (a)
Residential
 
 
 
Video (b)
4,025

 
4,188

Internet (c)
3,731

 
3,424

Phone (d)
1,880

 
1,764

Residential PSUs (e)
9,636

 
9,376

 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
 
 
Video (b)(f)
172

 
173

Internet (c)
186

 
156

Phone (d)
99

 
74

Commercial PSUs (e)
457

 
403

 
 
 
 
Digital Video RGUs (g)
3,484

 
3,401

 
 
 
 
Residential ARPU
 
 
 
Video (h)
$
74

 
$
72

Internet (h)
$
42

 
$
43

Phone (h)
$
37

 
$
41


(a)
We calculate the aging of customer accounts based on the monthly billing cycle for each account. On that basis, at September 30, 2012 and 2011 , customers include approximately 16,900 and 15,500 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 60 days past due in payment, approximately 3,400 and 1,900 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 90 days past due in payment, and approximately 1,600 and 1,000 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 120 days past due in payment.

(b)
“Video customers” represent those customers who subscribe to our video cable services. Effective January 1, 2012, Charter revised its reporting of customers whereby customers residing in multi-dwelling residential structures are now included in residential customer relationships and PSUs (see footnote (e)) rather than commercial. Further, residential PSUs and customer relationships are no longer calculated on an EBU (see footnote (f)) basis but are based on separate billing relationships. The impact of these changes increased residential customer relationships and PSUs and reduced commercial customer relationships and PSUs, with an overall net decrease to total customer relationships and PSUs. Prior periods were reclassified to conform to the 2012 presentation.

(c)
“Internet customers” represent those customers who subscribe to our Internet service.

(d)
“Phone customers” represent those customers who subscribe to our telephone service.

(e)
“Primary Service Units” or “PSUs” represent the total of video, Internet and phone customers.

(f)
Included within commercial video customers are those in commercial structures, which are calculated on an equivalent bulk unit (“EBU”) basis. We calculate EBUs by dividing the bulk price charged to accounts in an area by the published rate charged to non-bulk residential customers in that market for the comparable tier of service. This EBU method of estimating basic video customers is consistent with the methodology used in determining costs paid to programmers and is consistent with the methodology used by other multiple system operators (“MSOs”). As we increase our published video rates to residential customers without a corresponding increase in the prices charged to commercial service customers, our EBU count will decline even if there is no real loss in commercial service customers.



22



(g)
“Digital video RGUs” include all video customers who have one or more digital set-top boxes or cable cards in their home or business.

(h)
"Average Monthly Revenue Per Customer" or "ARPU" represents quarterly revenue for the service indicated, divided by three, divided by the average number of customers for the service indicated during the respective quarter.

We have a history of net losses.  Our net losses are principally attributable to insufficient revenue to cover the combination of operating expenses, interest expenses that we incur because of our debt, depreciation expenses resulting from the capital investments we have made and continue to make in our cable properties, amortization expenses of customer relationships and non-cash tax expense resulting from increases in our deferred tax liabilities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

For a discussion of our critical accounting policies and the means by which we develop estimates therefore, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.




23



Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the percentages of revenues that items in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations constituted for the periods presented (dollars in millions, except per share data):

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
1,880

 
100
%
 
$
1,809

 
100
%
 
$
5,591

 
100
%
 
$
5,370

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)
858

 
46
%
 
792

 
44
%
 
2,503

 
45
%
 
2,344

 
44
%
Selling, general and administrative
384

 
20
%
 
374

 
21
%
 
1,129

 
20
%
 
1,062

 
20
%
Depreciation and amortization
424

 
23
%
 
405

 
22
%
 
1,247

 
22
%
 
1,181

 
22
%
Other operating expenses, net
3

 
%
 
1

 
%
 
2

 
%
 
7

 
%
 
1,669

 
89
%
 
1,572

 
87
%
 
4,881

 
87
%
 
4,594

 
86
%
Income from operations
211

 
11
%
 
237

 
13
%
 
710

 
13
%
 
776

 
14
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(229
)
 
 
 
(244
)
 
 
 
(691
)
 
 
 
(718
)
 
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
(74
)
 
 
 
(124
)
 
 
Other expense, net

 
 
 
(2
)
 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
(229
)
 
 
 
(250
)
 
 
 
(766
)
 
 
 
(846
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss before income taxes
(18
)
 
 
 
(13
)
 
 
 
(56
)
 
 
 
(70
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
(69
)
 
 
 
(72
)
 
 
 
(208
)
 
 
 
(232
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(87
)
 
 
 
$
(85
)
 
 
 
$
(264
)
 
 
 
$
(302
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE, BASIC AND DILUTED:
$
(0.87
)
 
 
 
$
(0.79
)
 
 
 
$
(2.65
)
 
 
 
$
(2.74
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
99,694,672

 
 
 
108,420,169

 
 
 
99,542,021

 
 
 
110,285,852

 
 

Revenues. Total revenue grew $71 million or 4% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011 and increased $221 million or 4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011 . Revenue growth primarily reflects increases in the number of residential Internet and commercial business customers, incremental video revenues from DVR and HD television services and growth in advertising sales, offset by a decrease in basic video customers. Asset acquisitions increased revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the corresponding periods in 2011 by approximately $4 million and $20 million, respectively.



24



Revenues by service offering were as follows (dollars in millions):

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012 over 2011
 
Revenues
 
% of Revenues
 
Revenues
 
% of Revenues
 
Change
 
% Change
Video
$
906

 
48
%
 
$
908

 
50
%
 
$
(2
)
 
 %
Internet
467

 
25
%
 
433

 
24
%
 
34

 
8
 %
Telephone
208

 
11
%
 
216

 
12
%
 
(8
)
 
(4
)%
Commercial
168

 
9
%
 
139

 
8
%
 
29

 
21
 %
Advertising sales
85

 
5
%
 
73

 
4
%
 
12

 
16
 %
Other
46

 
2
%
 
40

 
2
%
 
6

 
15
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,880

 
100
%
 
$
1,809

 
100
%
 
$
71

 
4
 %
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012 over 2011
 
Revenues
 
% of Revenues
 
Revenues
 
% of Revenues
 
Change
 
% Change
Video
$
2,712

 
49
%
 
$
2,737

 
51
%
 
$
(25
)
 
(1
)%
Internet
1,384

 
25
%
 
1,266

 
24
%
 
118

 
9
 %
Telephone
642

 
11
%
 
641

 
12
%
 
1

 
 %
Commercial
481

 
9
%
 
397

 
7
%
 
84

 
21
 %
Advertising sales
238

 
4
%
 
211

 
4
%
 
27

 
13
 %
Other
134

 
2
%
 
118

 
2
%
 
16

 
14
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
5,591

 
100
%
 
$
5,370

 
100
%
 
$
221

 
4
 %

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2012 presentation, including the reflection of revenues earned from customers residing in multi-dwelling residential structures from commercial revenues to video and Internet revenues. See page 22 and 23 for definitions of customers and ARPU discussed below.

Video revenues consist primarily of revenues from basic and digital video services provided to our non-commercial customers, as well as franchise fees, equipment rental and video installation revenue. Video ARPU increased from $72 and $71 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 , respectively, to $74 and $73 the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , respectively, as a result of price increases and incremental revenues from DVR and HD television services. Residential basic video customers decreased by 163,000 from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012 . Digital video customers increased by 83,000 customers from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012 . The decrease in video revenues is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
three months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Nine months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
nine months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in basic video customers
 
$
(21
)
 
$
(67
)
Decrease in premium, OnDemand and pay-per-view
 
(10
)
 
(30
)
Incremental video services and price adjustments
 
19

 
41

Increase in digital video customers
 
7

 
18

Asset acquisitions
 
3

 
13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(25
)


25




Internet ARPU decreased from $43 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to $42 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 , respectively, and remained relatively constant at $42 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 , respectively. Residential Internet customers grew by 307,000 customers from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012 . The increase in Internet revenues from our residential customers is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

 
 
Three months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
three months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Nine months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
nine months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in residential Internet customers
 
$
36

 
$
100

Service level changes and price adjustments
 
(3
)
 
13

Asset acquisitions
 
1

 
5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
34

 
$
118


Telephone ARPU decreased from $41 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to $37 for the three months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, and from $41 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $39 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 . The decrease is due to value-based pricing and revenue allocation in multi-product packages. Residential telephone customers grew by 116,000 customers from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012 . The change in telephone revenues from our residential customers is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

 
 
Three months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
three months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Nine months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
nine months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in residential telephone customers
 
$
10

 
$
27

Price adjustments and service level changes
 
(18
)
 
(27
)
Asset acquisitions
 

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(8
)
 
$
1




26



Commercial revenues consist primarily of revenues from services provided to our commercial customers. Increases in commercial revenues were the result of higher sales to small and medium businesses and carrier customers. Commercial PSUs increased 54,000 from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012 . The increase in commercial revenues is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
three months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Nine months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
nine months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
Sales to small-to-medium sized business customers
 
$
22

 
$
64

Carrier site customers
 
5

 
13

Other
 
2

 
6

Asset acquisitions
 

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
29

 
$
84


Advertising sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising customers, programmers and other vendors. Advertising sales revenues increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 as a result of an increase in revenue from the political and automotive sectors. For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , we received $15 million and $13 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , we received $44 million and $36 million, respectively, in advertising sales revenues from vendors.

Other revenues consist of home shopping, late payment fees, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. The increase during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily the result of increases in late payment fees.

Operating expenses . The increase in our operating expenses is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

 
 
Three months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
three months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Nine months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
nine months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
Programming costs
 
$
27

 
$
74

Service labor costs
 
13

 
36

Maintenance costs
 
13

 
24

Advertising sales
 
4

 
11

Commercial services
 
3

 
7

Cost of providing Internet and telephone services
 
1

 
(6
)
Other, net
 
2

 
2

Asset acquisitions
 
3

 
11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
66

 
$
159


Programming costs were approximately $497 million and $468 million , representing 58% and 59% of total operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , respectively and were approximately $1,484 million and $1,403 million , representing 59% and 60% of total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , respectively. Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for basic, digital, premium, OnDemand, and pay-per-view programming. The increases in programming costs are primarily a result of annual contractual rate adjustments, including increases in amounts paid for retransmission consents and for new programming, offset in part by customer losses. Programming costs were


27



also offset by the amortization of payments received from programmers of $1 million and $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , respectively, and $4 million and $6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , respectively. W e expect programming expenses to continue to increase due to a variety of factors, including increased demands by owners of some broadcast stations for carriage of other services or payments to those broadcasters for retransmission consent, annual increases imposed by programmers with additional selling power as a result of media consolidation, and additional programming, including new sports services and non-linear programming for on-line and OnDemand programming. We have been unable to fully pass these increases on to our customers nor do we expect to be able to do so in the future without a potential loss of customers.

Service labor increased $13 million and $36 million and maintenance costs increased $13 million and $24 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , respectively, due to increased preventive maintenance levels and a higher number of reconnects.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
three months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Nine months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
nine months ended
September 30, 2011
Increase / (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
Marketing costs
 
$
2

 
$
34

Commercial services
 
4

 
15

Stock compensation
 
3

 
12

Customer care costs
 
(1
)
 
9

Bad debt and collection costs
 
(1
)
 
(8
)
Other, net
 
3

 
1

Asset acquisitions
 

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
10

 
$
67


The increase in marketing costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is the result of increased media investment and commercial marketing as well as a $7 million favorable adjustment in the second quarter of 2011 related to expenses previously accrued on 2010 marketing campaigns.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $19 million and $66 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the corresponding periods in 2011 , respectively, primarily representing depreciation on recent capital expenditures, offset by certain assets becoming fully depreciated.

Other operating expenses, net. The change in other operating expense, net is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

 
 
Three months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
three months ended
September 30, 2011

 
Nine months ended
September 30, 2012
compared to
nine months ended
September 30, 2011

 
 
 
 
 
(Increase)/decrease in gain on sales of assets
 
$
1

 
$
(12
)
Increase in special charges, net
 
1

 
7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
2

 
$
(5
)

The increase in gain on sales of assets in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to prior periods is due to a gain recorded on the sale of cable systems in the second quarter of 2012. The increase in special charges in the three and nine months


28



ended September 30, 2012 as compared to prior periods is a result of an increase in severance charges and settlements. For more information, see Note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Interest expense, net. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the corresponding periods in 2011 , net interest expense decreased by $15 million and $27 million , respectively, which was primarily a result of a decrease in our average interest rate from 7.5% and 7.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 , respectively, to 6.6% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 offset by an increase in our weighted average debt outstanding from $12.6 billion and $12.5 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 , respectively, to $13.4 billion and $13.0 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , respectively.

Loss on extinguishment of debt. Loss on extinguishment of debt consists of the following for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CCH II and Charter Operating notes repurchase
$

 
$
4

 
$
15

 
$
4

Charter Operating credit facility refinancing/prepayments

 

 
59

 
120

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$

 
$
4

 
$
74

 
$
124


For more information, see Note 4 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Income tax expense. Income tax expense was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 through increases in deferred tax liabilities related to our investment in Charter Holdco and certain of our indirect subsidiaries, in addition to current federal and state income tax expense (net of refunds).  Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 included an $8 million expense for a state tax law change.

Net loss. Net loss increased from $85 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to $87 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and decreased from $302 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $264 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 primarily as a result of the factors described above.

Loss per common share. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the corresponding periods in 2011 , net loss per common share increased by $0.08 and decreased by $0.09 , respectively, as a result of the factors described above offset by a decrease in our weighted average shares outstanding as a result of share repurchases in the last twelve months.

Use of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow

We use certain measures that are not defined by GAAP to evaluate various aspects of our business. Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net loss and net cash flows from operating activities reported in accordance with GAAP. These terms, as defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are reconciled to consolidated net loss and net cash flows from operating activities, respectively, below.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net loss plus net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, stock compensation expense, loss on extinguishment of debt and other operating expenses, such as special charges and gain (loss) on sale or retirement of assets. As such, it eliminates the significant non-cash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the capital-intensive nature of our businesses as well as other non-cash or special items, and is unaffected by our capital structure or investment activities. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management and Charter’s board of directors to evaluate the performance of our business. However, this measure is limited in that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues and our cash cost of financing. Management evaluates these costs through other financial measures.

Free cash flow is defined as net cash flows from operating activities, less capital expenditures and changes in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures.


29




We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow provide information useful to investors in assessing our performance and our ability to service our debt, fund operations and make additional investments with internally generated funds. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA generally correlates to the leverage ratio calculation under our credit facilities or outstanding notes to determine compliance with the covenants contained in the facilities and notes (all such documents have been previously filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission). For the purpose of calculating compliance with leverage covenants, we use Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, excluding certain expenses paid by our operating subsidiaries to other Charter entities. Our debt covenants refer to these expenses as management fees, which fees were in the amount of $44 million and $40 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , respectively, and $126 million and $110 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , respectively.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(87
)
 
$
(85
)
 
$
(264
)
 
$
(302
)
Plus: Interest expense, net
229

 
244

 
691

 
718

Income tax expense
69

 
72

 
208

 
232

Depreciation and amortization
424

 
405

 
1,247

 
1,181

Stock compensation expense
13

 
10

 
37

 
25

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
4

 
74

 
124

Other, net
3

 
3

 
3

 
11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
651

 
$
653

 
$
1,996

 
$
1,989

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash flows from operating activities
$
468

 
$
405

 
$
1,391

 
$
1,312

Less: Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(488
)
 
(304
)
 
(1,296
)
 
(984
)
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures
3

 
(11
)
 
16

 
(11
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Free cash flow
$
(17
)
 
$
90

 
$
111

 
$
317


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Introduction

This section contains a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources, including a discussion of our cash position, sources and uses of cash, access to credit facilities and other financing sources, historical financing activities, cash needs, capital expenditures and outstanding debt.

Recent Events

In August 2012, CCO Holdings, LLC ("CCO Holdings") and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. closed on transactions in which they issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior notes due 2022. The notes were issued at a price of 99.026% of the aggregate principal amount. The proceeds from the notes will be used for general corporate purposes, including repaying amounts outstanding under Charter Communications Operating, LLC's ("Charter Operating") revolving credit facility, and to fund the redemption of CCH II, LLC's ("CCH II") 13.500% senior notes due 2016 on or before November 30, 2012. In October 2012, we redeemed $678 million aggregate principal amount of the CCH II 13.500% senior notes due 2016 at 108.522% of the principal amount. In October 2012, we also sent out notices of redemption for the remaining $468 million aggregate principal amount of CCH II 13.500% senior notes due 2016 at 106.75% of the principal amount. The redemption will be funded by cash on hand and availability under our revolving credit facility.

Overview of Our Contractual Obligations and Liquidity

We have significant amounts of debt.  The accreted value of our debt as of September 30, 2012 was $13.7 billion , consisting of $4.2 billion of credit facility debt and $9.5 billion of high-yield notes. Our business requires significant cash to fund principal and


30



interest payments on our debt.  As of September 30, 2012 , after giving effect to the redemption of the CCH II 13.500% senior notes due 2016 described in Recent Events above, $8 million of our debt matures in 2012, $268 million in 2013, $418 million in 2014, $106 million in 2015, $2.3 billion in 2016 and $9.8 billion thereafter. As of December 31, 2011, as shown in our annual report on Form 10-K, we had other contractual obligations, including interest on our debt, totaling $6.2 billion. We also currently expect to incur capital expenditures of approximately $1.6 billion to $1.7 billion in 2012.

Our projected cash needs and projected sources of liquidity depend upon, among other things, our actual results, and the timing and amount of our expenditures. Negative free cash flow was $17 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and free cash flow was $111 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 . We expect to generate positive free cash flow for 2012. As of September 30, 2012 , after giving effect to the redemption of the CCH II 13.500% senior notes due 2016 described in Recent Events above, the amount available under our credit facilities was approximately $715 million. We expect to utilize free cash flow and availability under our credit facilities as well as future refinancing transactions to further extend the maturities of or reduce the principal on our obligations. The timing and terms of any refinancing transactions will be subject to market conditions. Additionally, we may, from time to time, depending on market conditions and other factors, use cash on hand and the proceeds from securities offerings or other borrowings, to retire our debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases, tender offers, or redemption provisions. We believe we have sufficient liquidity from cash on hand, free cash flow and Charter Operating's revolving credit facility as well as access to the capital markets to fund our projected operating cash needs.

We continue to evaluate the deployment of our anticipated future free cash flow including to reduce our leverage, and to invest in our business growth and other strategic opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions as well as stock repurchases and dividends. As possible acquisitions, swaps or dispositions arise in our industry, we actively review them against our objectives including, among other considerations, improving the operational efficiency and clustering of our business and achieving appropriate return targets, and we may participate to the extent we believe these possibilities present attractive opportunities. However, there can be no assurance that we will actually complete any acquisition, disposition or system swap or that any such transactions will be material to our operations or results.

Free Cash Flow

Negative free cash flow was $17 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and free cash flow was $90 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 , and $111 million and $317 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , respectively. The decrease in free cash flow for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the corresponding periods in 2011 is primarily due to an increase of $184 million and $312 million, respectively, in capital expenditures. The decrease in free cash flow is offset by a decrease of $48 million and $2 million, respectively, in cash paid for interest due to a change in the timing of payments with the completion of refinancings. The decrease in free cash flow is also offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the change in accrued interest, that provided $31 million and $101 million more cash during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , respectively, driven by an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Limitations on Distributions

Distributions by Charter’s subsidiaries to a parent company for payment of principal on parent company notes are restricted under indentures and credit facilities governing our indebtedness, unless there is no default under the applicable indenture and credit facilities, and unless each applicable subsidiary’s leverage ratio test is met at the time of such distribution. As of September 30, 2012 , there was no default under any of these indentures or credit facilities and each subsidiary met its applicable leverage ratio tests based on September 30, 2012 financial results. Such distributions would be restricted, however, if any such subsidiary fails to meet these tests at the time of the contemplated distribution. In the past, certain subsidiaries have from time to time failed to meet their leverage ratio test. There can be no assurance that they will satisfy these tests at the time of the contemplated distribution. Distributions by Charter Operating for payment of principal on parent company notes are further restricted by the covenants in its credit facilities.

Distributions by CCO Holdings and Charter Operating to a parent company for payment of parent company interest are permitted if there is no default under the aforementioned indentures and CCO Holdings and Charter Operating credit facilities.

In addition to the limitation on distributions under the various indentures discussed above, distributions by our subsidiaries may be limited by applicable law, including the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, under which our subsidiaries may only make distributions if they have “surplus” as defined in the act.



31



Historical Operating, Investing, and Financing Activities

Cash and Cash Equivalents. We held $895 million and $29 million in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , respectively, including $27 million of restricted cash. The increase in cash was a result of the issuance of $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of CCO Holdings 5.25% senior notes due 2022 in August 2012 offset by a portion of the proceeds used to pay off outstanding amounts under our revolving credit facility. In October 2012, we used approximately $750 million in cash and cash equivalents to fund the redemption of the CCH II 13.500% senior notes due 2016 as described in Recent Events.

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities increased $79 million from $1.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $1.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 , primarily due to changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the change in accrued interest and in liabilities related to capital expenditures, that provided $74 million more cash during 2012 driven by collection of receivables and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses and higher Adjusted EBITDA.

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion , respectively. The increase is primarily due to higher capital expenditures.

Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was $754 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and net cash used in financing activities was $208 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 . The increase in cash provided was primarily the result of an increase by which borrowings of long-term debt exceeded repayments and by decreases in purchases of treasury stock.

Capital Expenditures

We have significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements.  Capital expenditures were $1.3 billion and $984 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , respectively.  The increase related to higher actual and anticipated residential and commercial customer growth, scalable Internet infrastructure to accommodate higher penetration and network throughput, and further investments in plant to improve service reliability. See the table below for more details.

During 2012, we currently expect capital expenditures to be between $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion. The actual amount of our capital expenditures depends on the level of success of our new operating strategies and residential product offerings, with the increase over prior year reflecting higher expected levels of customer premise equipment placement for both new and existing customers, resulting from increased digitization and DVR penetration, and growth in our commercial business.

Our capital expenditures are funded primarily from free cash flow and borrowings on our credit facility. In addition, our liabilities related to capital expenditures increased by $16 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 .

The following table presents our major capital expenditures categories in accordance with NCTA disclosure guidelines for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 . The disclosure is intended to provide more consistency in the reporting of capital expenditures among peer companies in the cable industry. These disclosure guidelines are not required disclosures under GAAP, nor do they impact our accounting for capital expenditures under GAAP (dollars in millions):

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer premise equipment (a)
$
255

 
$
156

 
$
641

 
$
470

Scalable infrastructure (b)
74

 
58

 
320

 
265

Line extensions (c)
52

 
29

 
111

 
78

Upgrade/rebuild (d)
43

 
30

 
104

 
86

Support capital (e)
64

 
31

 
120

 
85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital expenditures (f)
$
488

 
$
304

 
$
1,296

 
$
984




32



(a)
Customer premise equipment includes costs incurred at the customer residence to secure new customers and revenue generating units. It also includes customer installation costs and customer premise equipment (e.g., set-top boxes and cable modems).
(b)
Scalable infrastructure includes costs not related to customer premise equipment, to secure growth of new customers and revenue generating units, or provide service enhancements (e.g., headend equipment).
(c)
Line extensions include network costs associated with entering new service areas (e.g., fiber/coaxial cable, amplifiers, electronic equipment, make-ready and design engineering).
(d)
Upgrade/rebuild includes costs to modify or replace existing fiber/coaxial cable networks, including betterments.
(e)
Support capital includes costs associated with the replacement or enhancement of non-network assets due to technological and physical obsolescence (e.g., non-network equipment, land, buildings and vehicles).
(f)
Total capital expenditures includes $82 million and $48 million of capital expenditures related to commercial services for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , respectively, and $181 million and $120 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 , respectively.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2012 presentation.

Item 3.        Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are exposed to various market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates. We have used interest rate swap agreements to manage our interest costs and reduce our exposure to increases in floating interest rates. We manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. Using interest rate swap agreements, we agree to exchange, at specified intervals through 2017, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to agreed-upon notional principal amounts.

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , the accreted value of our debt was approximately $13.7 billion and $12.9 billion , respectively.  As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , the weighted average interest rate on the credit facility debt, including the effects of our interest rate swap agreements, was approximately 4.1% and 4.3%, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate on the high-yield notes was approximately 7.7% and 8.5%, respectively, resulting in a blended weighted average interest rate of 6.6% and 7.1%, respectively.  The interest rate on approximately 83% and 82% of the total principal amount of our debt was effectively fixed, including the effects of our interest rate swap agreements, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , respectively.

We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes. We have interest rate derivative instruments that have been designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Such instruments effectively convert variable interest payments on certain debt instruments into fixed payments. For qualifying hedges, realized derivative gains and losses offset related results on hedged items in the consolidated statements of operations. We formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 there was no cash flow hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate swap agreements.

Changes in the fair value of interest rate agreements that are designated as hedging instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt obligations, and that meet effectiveness criteria are reported in other comprehensive loss. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , losses of $7 million and $18 million , respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 , losses of $11 million and $20 million , respectively, related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, were recorded in other comprehensive loss. The amounts are subsequently reclassified as an increase or decrease to interest expense in the same periods in which the related interest on the floating-rate debt obligations affects earnings (losses).



33



The table set forth below summarizes the fair values and contract terms of financial instruments subject to interest rate risk maintained by us as of September 30, 2012 (dollars in millions):

 
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair Value at September 30, 2012
Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Rate
 
$
678

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
468

 
$
8,250

 
$
9,396

 
$
10,113

Average Interest Rate
 
13.50
%
 

 

 

 
13.50
%
 
6.87
%
 
7.67
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable Rate
 
$
8

 
$
268

 
$
418

 
$
106

 
$
2,281

 
$
1,239

 
$
4,320

 
$
4,312

Average Interest Rate
 
3.76
%
 
2.37
%
 
3.01
%
 
3.27
%
 
4.45
%
 
4.89
%
 
4.28
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable to Fixed Rate
 
$

 
$
900

 
$
800

 
$
300

 
$
250

 
$
850

 
$
3,100

 
$
83

Average Pay Rate
 

 
5.21
%
 
5.65
%
 
5.99
%
 
4.89
%
 
4.84
%
 
5.27
%
 
 
Average Receive Rate
 

 
3.61
%
 
3.69
%
 
3.82
%
 
4.69
%
 
5.22
%
 
4.18
%
 
 

Included in 2012 fixed rate debt above is $678 million principal amount of CCH II 13.500% senior notes called for redemption in September 2012 and redeemed in October 2012. Included in 2016 fixed rate debt above is $468 million principal amount of CCH II 13.500% senior notes called for redemption in October 2012 and expected to be redeemed in November 2012.

At September 30, 2012 , we had $3.1 billion in notional amounts of interest rate swaps outstanding. This includes $1.1 billion in delayed start interest rate swaps that become effective in March 2013 through March 2015.  In any future quarter in which a portion of these delayed start hedges first becomes effective, an equal or greater notional amount of the currently effective swaps are scheduled to mature.  Therefore, the $2.0 billion notional amount of currently effective interest rate swaps will gradually step down over time as current swaps mature and an equal or lesser amount of delayed start swaps become effective.

The notional amounts of interest rate instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of our exposure to credit loss. The amounts exchanged are determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the contracts. The estimated fair value is determined using a present value calculation based on an implied forward LIBOR curve (adjusted for Charter Operating’s or counterparties’ credit risk). Interest rates on variable debt are estimated using the average implied forward LIBOR for the year of maturity based on the yield curve in effect at September 30, 2012 including applicable bank spread.

Item 4.        Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures with respect to the information generated for use in this quarterly report. The evaluation was based in part upon reports and certifications provided by a number of executives. Based upon, and as of the date of that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based upon the above evaluation, we believe that our controls provide such reasonable assurances.


34




There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



35



PART II

Item 1.        Legal Proceedings.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes "Legal Proceedings" under Item 3 of Part I. There have been no material changes from the legal proceedings described in our Form 10-K, except as described below.

Patent Litigation

Rembrandt Patent Litigation.   In 2006, Rembrandt Technologies, LP filed two lawsuits against Charter and other parties in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that each defendant's high-speed data service and systems for receipt and retransmission of Advanced Television Systems Committee digital terrestrial broadcast signals infringe nine patents owned by Rembrandt.  On September 7, 2011, the court entered final judgment of non-infringement in favor of Charter and the other defendants on the eight patents stipulated for dismissal and on the remaining patent. On September 28, 2011, Rembrandt appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for review of the judgment and in August 2012, the court rejected Rembrandt's appeal. 
 
We are also defendants or co-defendants in several other unrelated lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of our businesses.  Other industry participants are also defendants in certain of these cases.
 
In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe on any intellectual property rights, we may be subject to substantial damages and/or an injunction that could require us or our vendors to modify certain products and services we offer to our subscribers, as well as negotiate royalty or license agreements with respect to the patents at issue.  While we believe the lawsuits are without merit and intend to defend the actions vigorously, no assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

Bankruptcy Litigation

On March 27, 2009, Charter filed a Chapter 11 petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. On November 17, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court issued its Order and Opinion confirming the Plan over the objections of various objectors. Charter consummated the Plan on November 30, 2009 and reinstated the Charter Operating Credit Agreement and certain other debt of its subsidiaries.

Two appeals are pending relating to confirmation of the Plan, the appeals by (i) Law Debenture Trust Company of New York (“Law Debenture Trust”) (as the Trustee with respect to the $479 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% convertible senior notes due 2027 issued by Charter which are no longer outstanding following consummation of the Plan); and (ii) R 2 Investments, LDC (“R 2 Investments”) (a former equity interest holder in Charter). The appeals by Law Debenture Trust and R 2 Investments were denied by the District Court for the Southern District of New York in March 2011. On August 31, 2012, the 2nd Circuit unanimously affirmed the district court's decision holding that R 2 and LDT's appeals are equitably moot. Thereafter, R 2 and LDT sought a rehearing en banc with the 2nd Circuit. On October 18, 2012, the 2 nd Circuit denied that request. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the appeals nor can we estimate a reasonable range of loss.

Other Proceedings

We are party to lawsuits and claims that arise in the ordinary course of conducting our business, including lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of our businesses and lawsuits claiming violation of anti-trust laws and violation of wage and hour laws.  The ultimate outcome of these other legal matters pending against us or our subsidiaries cannot be predicted, and although such lawsuits and claims are not expected individually to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity, such lawsuits could have in the aggregate a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.  Whether or not we ultimately prevail in any particular lawsuit or claim, litigation can be time consuming and costly and injure our reputation.

Item 1A.        Risk Factors.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes “Risk Factors” under Item 1A of Part I. There have been no material changes from the risk factors described in our Form 10-K.




36



Item 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Proceeds and Use of Proceeds.

(C) Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

The following table presents Charter's purchases of equity securities completed during the third quarter of 2012.





Period



(a)
Total Number of Shares Purchased



(b)
Average Price Paid per Share
(c)
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
(d)
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
July 1 - 31, 2012
428 (1)
$73.41
N/A
N/A
August 1 - 31, 2012
3,122 (1)
$78.59
N/A
N/A
September 1 - 30, 2012
1,082 (1)
$80.58
N/A
N/A

(1)
In July, August and September 2012, Charter withheld 428, 3,122 and 1,082 shares of its common stock, respectively, in payment of income tax withholding owed by employees upon vesting of restricted shares and restricted stock units.

Item 6.        Exhibits.

The index to the exhibits begins on page E-1 of this quarterly report.








37



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Charter Communications, Inc. has duly caused this quarterly report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 

 
 
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
 
 
Registrant
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Kevin D. Howard
 
 
 
 
Kevin D. Howard
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President - Finance, Controller and
Date: November 6, 2012
 
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer



S-1




Exhibit Index
Exhibit
 
Description
 
 
 
10.1*
 
Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated August 22, 2012 relating to the 5.25% Senior Notes due 2022 by and among CCO Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.
10.2*
 
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Rights Agreement dated November 30, 2009, by and among Charter Communications, Inc. and certain Investors listed therein.
10.3
 
Underwriting Agreement dated as of August 8, 2012, by and among Charter Communications, Inc., Citigroup Capital Markets Inc. and the Selling Stockholders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 15, 2012 (File No. 001-33664)).
10.4*+
 
The New York Relocation Agreement and Release entered into by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and Christopher Winfrey dated as of October 23, 2012.
10.5*+
 
Separation Agreement between Steven Apodaca and Charter Communications, Inc. dated August 3, 2012.
12.1*
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
31.1*
 
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2*
 
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1*
 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer).
32.2*
 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer).
101
 
The following financial statements from Charter Communications, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2012, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

_____________
*
Filed herewith.
+     Management compensatory plan or arrangement




E-1




Execution Version


CCO HOLDINGS, LLC
and
CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP.,
as Issuers,
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
as Parent Guarantor
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as Trustee
_______________________________________
FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
Dated as of August 22, 2012
_______________________________________
5.250% Senior Notes due 2022












CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Trust Indenture
Act Section
Indenture Section
310(a)(1)
7.10
      (a)(2)
7.10
      (a)(3)
N.A.
      (a)(4)
N.A.
      (a)(5)
7.10
      (b)
7.10
      (c)
N.A.
311(a)
7.11
      (b)
7.11
      (c)
N.A.
312(a)
2.05
      (b)
11.03
      (c)
11.03
313(a)
7.06
      (b)(1)
N.A.
      (b)(2)
7.06; 7.07
      (c)
7.06; 11.02
      (d)
7.06
314(a)
4.04; 11.02; 11.04
      (b)
N.A.
      (c)(1)
11.04
      (c)(2)
11.04
      (c)(3)
N.A.
      (d)
N.A.
      (e)
11.05
      (f)
N.A.
315(a)
7.01; 7.02
      (b)
7.05; 11.02
      (c)
7.01
      (d)
7.01
      (e)
6.11
316(a) (last sentence)
2.09
      (a)(1)(A)
6.05
      (a)(1)(B)
6.04
      (a)(2)
N.A.
      (b)
6.07
      (c)
2.12
317(a)(1)
6.08
      (a)(2)
6.09
      (b)
2.04
318(a)
11.01
      (b)
N.A.
      (c)
11.01
N.A. means not applicable.
* This Cross Reference Table is not part of this Supplemental Indenture.

i




TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
ARTICLE 1
 
 
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
 
 
 
Section 1.01
Definitions
2
Section 1.02
Other Definitions
23
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE 2
 
 
THE NOTES
 
 
 
 
Section 2.01
Form and Dating
24
Section 2.02
Execution and Authentication
25
Section 2.03
Registrar and Paying Agent
26
Section 2.04
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
27
Section 2.05
Holder Lists
27
Section 2.06
Transfer and Exchange
27
Section 2.07
Replacement Notes
40
Section 2.08
Outstanding Notes
41
Section 2.09
Treasury Notes
41
Section 2.10
Temporary Notes
41
Section 2.11
Cancellation
42
Section 2.12
Defaulted Interest
42
Section 2.13
CUSIP Numbers
 
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE 3
 
 
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
 
 
 
 
Section 3.01
Notices to Trustee
43
Section 3.02
Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed
43
Section 3.03
Notice of Redemption
43
Section 3.04
Effect of Notice of Redemption
44
Section 3.05
Deposit of Redemption Price
44
Section 3.06
Notes Redeemed in Part
45
Section 3.07
Optional Redemption
45
Section 3.08
Mandatory Redemption
46
Section 3.09
Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds
46

ii




 
ARTICLE 4
 
 
COVENANTS
 
 
 
 
Section 4.03
Reports
48
Section 4.04
Compliance Certificate
49
Section 4.05
Taxes
49
Section 4.06
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws
49
Section 4.07
Restricted Payments
50
Section 4.08
Investments
54
Section 4.09
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries
54
Section 4.10
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock
56
Section 4.11
Limitation on Asset Sales
58
Section 4.12
[Reserved]
60
Section 4.13
Transactions with Affiliates
60
Section 4.14
Liens
61
Section 4.15
Existence
62
Section 4.16
Repurchase at the Option of Holders upon a Change of Control Triggering Event
62
Section 4.17
Limitations on Issuances of Guarantees of Indebtedness
64
Section 4.18
[Reserved]
64
Section 4.19
Suspension of Covenants
64
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE 5
 
 
SUCCESSORS
 
 
 
 
Section 5.01
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
65
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE 6
 
 
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
 
 
 
 
Section 6.01
Events of Default
66
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE 7
 
 
TRUSTEE
 
 
 
 
Section 7.01
Duties of Trustee
66
Section 7.02
Rights of Trustee
68
Section 7.03
Individual Rights of Trustee
69

iii




Section 7.04
Trustee's Disclaimer
69
Section 7.05
Notice of Defaults
69
Section 7.06
Reports by Trustee to Holders
69
Section 7.07
Compensation and Indemnity
70
Section 7.08
Replacement of the Trustee
71
Section 7.09
Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
72
Section 7.10
Eligibility; Disqualification
72
Section 7.11
Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuers
72
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE 8
 
 
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
 
 
 
Section 8.03
Covenant Defeasance
72
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE 9
 
 
AMENDMENT SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
 
 
 
 
Section 9.01
Without Consent of Holders of Notes
73
Section 9.02
With Consent of Holders of Notes
73
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE 11
 
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
 
 
 
Section 11.13
Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
74
Section 11.16
Supplemental Indenture Controls
74
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE 12
 
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
 
 
 
Section 12.01
Satisfaction and Discharge of Supplemental Indenture
74

Section 12.02
Application of Trust Money
75





iv




FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of August 22, 2012 (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”) among CCO Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (as further defined below, the “ Company ”), CCO Holdings Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation (as further defined below, “ Capital Corp ” and together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), Charter Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (as further defined below, “ CCI ” or the “ Parent Guarantor ”) (with respect to Article 10 and Section 7.07 only) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).
WHEREAS, the Issuers, the Parent Guarantor and the Trustee have previously executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2011 (the “ Base Indenture ”), providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of the Issuers' senior debt securities;
WHEREAS, Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture provides that the Issuers and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture to, among other things, establish the form or terms of any series of Notes (as defined in the Base Indenture) as permitted by Section 2.01 and Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture;
WHEREAS, clause (8) of Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture provides that the Issuers and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture changing or eliminating any provision of the Base Indenture; provided , that any such change shall become effective only when there is no outstanding Notes (as defined in the Base Indenture) of such series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provisions;
WHEREAS, the Issuers and the Guarantor are entering into this Supplemental Indenture to, among other things, establish the form and terms of the Issuers' new series of 5.250% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “ Notes ”) pursuant to the Base Indenture, as modified by this Supplemental Indenture;
WHEREAS, Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture provides that the Issuers and Guarantor may conform the Base Indenture, as amended and supplemented, or the Notes, as amended or supplemented, to the description and terms of such Notes in the offering memorandum, prospectus supplement or other offering document applicable to such Notes at the time of the initial sale thereof; and
WHEREAS, all conditions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture and to make it a valid and binding obligation of the Issuers have been done or performed.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Issuers, the Parent Guarantor and the Trustee, for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes (as defined herein), hereby enter into this Supplemental Indenture to, among other things, establish the terms of the Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture and there is hereby established the Issuers' “5.250% Senior Notes due 2022” as a separate series of Notes (as defined in the Base Indenture) and such parties further agree that this Supplemental Indenture affects the Issuers' 5.250% Senior Notes

1



due 2022 only and not any other series of Notes (as defined in the Base Indenture), except with respect to Section 9.02 hereof.
ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01    Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context of this Supplemental Indenture otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto that governs the Notes have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. All other terms used in this Supplemental Indenture that are defined in the Base Indenture or the TIA, either directly or by reference therein (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context of this Supplemental Indenture otherwise requires), have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Base Indenture or the TIA, as the case may be, as in force at the date of this Supplemental Indenture as originally executed.

Acquired Debt ” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1)      Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and
(2)      Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
Additional Notes ” means Notes issued pursuant to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture in addition to Initial Notes (other than any Notes issued in respect of Initial Notes pursuant to Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09 or 4.16 of this Supplemental Indenture or Section 9.05 of the Base Indenture).
Asset Acquisition ” means (a) an Investment by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or shall be merged with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or (b) the acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of the assets of any Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person, any division or line of business of such Person or any other properties or assets of such Person other than in the ordinary course of business.
Asset Sale ” means:
(1)      the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights, other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of the Cable Related Business consistent with applicable past practices; provided that the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall be governed by Section 4.16 and/or Section 5.01 and not by the provisions of Section 4.11; and

2



(2)      the issuance of Equity Interests by any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the sale of Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset Sales:
(1)      any single transaction or series of related transactions that: (a) involves assets having a fair market value of less than $100.0 million; or (b) results in net proceeds to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of less than $100.0 million;
(2)      a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3)      an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(4)      any Restricted Payment that is permitted by Section 4.07, any Restricted Investment that is permitted by Section 4.08 or a Permitted Investment;
(5)      the incurrence of Liens not prohibited by this Supplemental Indenture and the disposition of assets related to such Liens by the secured party pursuant to a foreclosure;
(6)      any disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(7)      any surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, including, without limitation, with respect to Hedging Obligations;
(8)      like-kind property exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code;
(9)      non-exclusive licenses of intellectual property; and
(10)      any sale or disposition of inventory or accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business.
Attributable Debt ” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction, including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessee, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.
Base Indenture ” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Supplemental Indenture.
Beneficial Owner ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person”

3



shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition.
Cable Related Business ” means the business of owning cable television systems and businesses ancillary, complementary and related thereto.
Capital Lease Obligation ” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
Capital Stock Sale Proceeds ” means the aggregate net proceeds (including the fair market value of the non-cash proceeds) received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date, in each case
(x)      as a contribution to the common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock and other than issuances or sales to a Subsidiary of the Company) of any Parent or the Company from and after the Issue Date, or
(y)      from the issue or sale of Disqualified Stock, debt securities or other Indebtedness of the Company that has been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock, debt securities or other Indebtedness) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company).
Cash Equivalents ” means:
(1)      United States dollars;
(2)      securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof ( provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of acquisition;
(3)      certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of twelve months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers' acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having combined capital and surplus in excess of $500 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating at the time of acquisition of “B” or better;
(4)      repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
(5)      commercial paper having a rating at the time of acquisition of at least “P‑1” from Moody's or at least “A-1” from S&P and in each case maturing within twelve months after the date of acquisition;

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(6)      corporate debt obligations maturing within twelve months after the date of acquisition thereof, rated at the time of acquisition at least “Aaa” or “P-1” by Moody's or “AAA” or “A-1” by S&P;
(7)      auction-rate Preferred Stocks of any corporation maturing not later than 90 days after the date of acquisition thereof, rated at the time of acquisition at least “Aaa” by Moody's or “AAA” by S&P;
(8)      securities issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, maturing not later than six months after the date of acquisition thereof, rated at the time of acquisition at least “A” by Moody's or S&P; and
(9)      money market or mutual funds at least 90% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (8) of this definition.
CCH I ” means CCH I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
CCH II ” means CCH II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
CCH II Indentures ” means, collectively, the indenture entered into by CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation, with respect to their 13.50% Senior Notes due 2016 and any indentures, note purchase agreements or similar documents entered into by CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. for the purpose of incurring Indebtedness in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to refinance, any of the Indebtedness described above, in each case, together with all instruments and other agreements entered into by CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. in connection therewith, as any of the foregoing may be refinanced, replaced, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
CCO means Charter Communications Operating, LLC, a Delaware corporation and any successor Person thereto.
CCO Holdings ” means CCO Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1)      the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of a Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than a Parent, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(2)      the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or a Parent (except the liquidation of any Parent into any other Parent);

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(3)      the consummation of any transaction, including any merger or consolidation, the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above) other than a Parent becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company or a Parent, measured by voting power rather than the number of shares; or
(4)      after the Issue Date, the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of CCI are not Continuing Directors.
Change of Control Triggering Event ” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Ratings Event.
Charter Holdings ” means Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of a Parent issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used within 90 days after the date of issuance thereof to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease, purchase, acquire or refund (including successive extensions, refinancings, renewals, replacements, defeasances, purchases, acquisitions or refunds), Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) incurred by CCH II or any of its Subsidiaries or which refinances such Indebtedness; provided that:
(1)      the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable) plus accrued interest and premium, if any, on the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased, purchased, acquired or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable fees, commissions and expenses incurred in connection therewith);
(2)      such Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(3)      is classified as such by the Company.
“Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of a Parent issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used within 90 days after the date of issuance thereof to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease, purchase, acquire or refund (including successive extensions, refinancings, renewals, replacements, defeasances, purchases, acquisitions or refunds), Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or which refinances such Indebtedness; provided that:
(1)      the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable) plus accrued interest and premium, if any, on the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased, purchased, acquired or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable fees, commissions and expenses incurred in connection therewith); and

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(2)      such Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
Consolidated EBITDA means with respect to any Person, for any period, the net income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus, to the extent such amount was deducted in calculating such net income:
(1)      Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2)      income taxes;
(3)      depreciation expense;
(4)      amortization expense;
(5)      asset impairments or write-downs or write-offs;
(6)      all other non-cash items, extraordinary items, non-recurring and unusual items (including any restructuring charges, costs and expenses, charges, costs and expenses related to litigation settlements or judgments and/or charges, costs and expenses related to asset acquisitions and dispositions) and the cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles reducing such net income, less all non-cash items, extraordinary items, non-recurring and unusual items and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles increasing such net income;
(7)      amounts actually paid during such period pursuant to a deferred compensation plan;
(8)      any premium, penalty or fee paid in relation to any repayment, prepayment or repurchase of Indebtedness;
(9)      all deferred financing costs written off in connection with the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, net of taxes;
(10)      all costs, expenses and fees related to the issuance of the Notes; and
(11)      for purposes of Section 4.10 only, Management Fees;
provided that Consolidated EBITDA shall not include:
(w)      the net income (or net loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary (“ Other Person ”), except

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(i)      with respect to net income, to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such Other Person during such period; and
(ii)      with respect to net losses, to the extent of the amount of investments made by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person in such Other Person during such period;
(x)      solely for the purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to Section 4.07(3) (and in such case, except to the extent includable pursuant to clause (w) above), the net income (or net loss) of any Other Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with such Person or any Restricted Subsidiaries or all or substantially all of the property and assets of such Other Person are acquired by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(y)      solely for purposes of Section 4.07(3), the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that the payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of such net income is restricted by the operation of the terms of such Restricted Subsidiary's charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary, unless (x) such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived or (y) such restriction is permitted by Section 4.09; provided , that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, to the extent not already included therein; and
(z)      effects of any fresh start accounting adjustments.
Consolidated Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1)      the total amount of outstanding Indebtedness and Attributable Debt of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus
(2)      the total amount of Indebtedness of any other Person that has been Guaranteed by the referent Person or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus
(3)      the aggregate liquidation value of all Disqualified Stock of such Person and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:
(1)      the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation, amortiza-

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tion or original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations);
(2)      the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; and
(3)      any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon);
excluding, however, any amount of such interest of any Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person if the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (x) of the definition thereof (but only in the same proportion as the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded from the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (x) of the definition thereof) in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means, as of any date of determination, the total amount of assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries less the sum of (1) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other intangibles, and (2) all current liabilities, in each case, reflected on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries as at the end of the most recent ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP on a pro forma basis to give effect to any acquisition or disposition of assets made after such balance sheet date and on or prior to the date of determination.
Continuing Directors ” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company or CCI or the board of directors of any other Parent who:
(1)      was a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or CCI, or, as applicable, of the board of directors of such other Parent, on the Issue Date; or
(2)      was nominated for election or elected to the Board of Directors of the Company or CCI, or, as applicable, of the board of directors of such other Parent, with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of the Board of Directors of the Company or CCI, or, as applicable, of the board of directors of such other Parent, at the time of such nomination or election or whose election or appointment was previously so approved.
Contribution Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate amount of cash contributions (other than the proceeds from the issuance of Disqualified

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Stock or any cash contribution by an Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) made to the capital of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date (whether through the issuance of Capital Stock or otherwise); provided that such Contribution Indebtedness is incurred within 180 days after the making of the related cash contribution.
Credit Facilities ” means, with respect to the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries, and with respect to any other entity as the context requires, one or more debt facilities (including indentures), in each case with banks, lenders or noteholders (other than a Parent of the Issuers) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) letters of credit, notes, guarantees, and commercial paper in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.
Definitive Note ” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.
Depositary ” means, with respect to the Global Notes, the Person specified in Section 2.03 as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Supplemental Indenture.
Designated Noncash Consideration ” means the fair market value of noncash consideration received by the Issuers or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officers' Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Noncash Consideration.
Disposition ” means, with respect to any Person, any merger, consolidation or other business combination involving such Person (whether or not such Person is the surviving Person) or the sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of such Person's assets or Capital Stock.
Disqualified Stock ” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the earlier of the date on which the Notes mature or the date on which the Notes are no longer outstanding. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07.

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Equity Interests ” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
Equity Offering ” means any private or public issuance of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or a Parent of which the gross proceeds to the Company or received by the Company as a capital contribution from such Parent (directly or indirectly), as the case may be, are at least $25.0 million.
Exchange Notes ” means Notes, containing terms substantially identical to any Additional Notes (except that (i) such Exchange Notes shall not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions and shall be registered under the Securities Act and (ii) certain provisions relating to an increase in the stated rate of interest thereon shall be eliminated), that are issued and exchanged for Additional Notes, as may be provided in any Registration Rights Agreement relating to such Additional Notes and this Supplemental Indenture (including any amendment or supplement thereto).
Exchange Offer ” means an offer to exchange Additional Notes, if any, for Exchange Notes pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” means a registration statement relating to an Exchange Offer as may be provided in a Registration Rights Agreement.
Existing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date, until such amounts are repaid.
GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States which are in effect on September 27, 2010. At any time after the Issue Date, the Issuers may elect to apply International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) accounting principles in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS on the date of such election; provided that any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable; provided, further, that any calculation or determination in the Indenture that requires the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the Issuers' election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP. The Issuers shall give notice of any such election made in accordance with this definition to the Trustee.
Global Note Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii) which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture.
Guarantee ” or “ guarantee ” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness, measured as the lesser of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Indebtedness so guaranteed and the face amount of the guarantee.

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Guarantor ” means the Parent Guarantor and any Subsidiary that executes a supplemental indenture and provides a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with Section 4.17 hereof.
Hedging Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:
(1)      interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;
(2)      interest rate option agreements, foreign currency exchange agreements, foreign currency swap agreements; and
(3)      other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates.
Indenture ” means the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture and as further amended or supplemented from time to time with respect to the Notes.
Initial Notes ” means the Notes issued on the Issue Date (and any Notes issued in respect thereof pursuant to Section 2.06, 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09 or 4.16 of this Supplemental Indenture or Section 9.05 of the Base Indenture).
Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than (x) in the case of Moody's, Baa3 (or the equivalent), (y) in the case of S&P, BBB- (or the equivalent) and (z) in the case of any other Rating Agency, the equivalent rating by such Rating Agency to the ratings described in clause (x) and (y).
Investments ” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons, including Affiliates, in the forms of direct or indirect loans (including guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business) and purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Letter of Transmittal ” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Issuers and sent to all Holders of any Additional Notes for use by such Holders in connection with any Exchange Offer.
Leverage Ratio ” means, as to the Company, as of any date, the ratio of:
(1)      the Consolidated Indebtedness of the Company on such date to
(2)      the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the Company for the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available multiplied by four (the “ Reference Period ”).

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In addition to the foregoing, for purposes of this definition, “Consolidated EBITDA” shall be calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to
(1)      the issuance of the Notes;
(2)      the incurrence of the Indebtedness or the issuance of the Disqualified Stock or other Preferred Stock (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) giving rise to the need to make such calculation and any incurrence or issuance (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) or repayment of other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness for ordinary working capital purposes, at any time subsequent to the beginning of the Reference Period and on or prior to the date of determination, as if such incurrence (and the application of the proceeds thereof), or the repayment, as the case may be, occurred on the first day of the Reference Period; and
(3)      any Dispositions or Asset Acquisitions (including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Acquisition) incurring, assuming or otherwise becoming liable for or issuing Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock) made on or subsequent to the first day of the Reference Period and on or prior to the date of determination, as if such Disposition or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence, assumption or liability for any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and also including any Consolidated EBITDA associated with such Asset Acquisition, including any cost savings adjustments in compliance with Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission) had occurred on the first day of the Reference Period.
Make-Whole Premium ” means, with respect to a Note at any redemption date, the greater of:
(i)      1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and
(ii)      the excess of:
(1)      the present value at such redemption date of the redemption price of such Note on September 30, 2017 (with such redemption prices being those described in the table under Section 3.07) plus (B) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through September 30, 2017, other than accrued interest to such redemption date, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points per annum discounted on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis, over
(2)      the principal amount of such Note on such redemption date.
Management Fees ” means the fees payable to CCI or any other Parent pursuant to the management and mutual services agreements between any Parent of the Company and/or CCO and between any Parent of the Company and other Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company and pursuant to the limited liability company agreements of certain Restricted Subsidiaries as such management, mutual services or limited liability company agreements exist on the Issue

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Date (or, if later, on the date any new Restricted Subsidiary is acquired or created), including any amendment or replacement thereof, provided that any such new agreements or amendments or replacements of existing agreements is not more disadvantageous to Holders in any material respect than such management agreements existing on the Issue Date and further provided that such new, amended or replacement management agreements do not provide for percentage fees, taken together with fees under existing agreements, any higher than 3.5% of CCI's consolidated total revenues for the applicable payment period.
Moody's ” means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
Net Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof or taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including amounts distributable in respect of owners', partners' or members' tax liabilities resulting from such sale), in each case after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness.
Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness:
(1)      as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
(a)      provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness);
(b)      is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise; or
(c)      constitutes the lender;
(2)      no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Notes) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and
(3)      as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Note ” or “ Notes ” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble and includes the Initial Notes, any Additional Notes and any Exchange Notes.

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Obligations ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
Other Person ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”
Parent ” means CCH II, CCH I, Charter Holdings, Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, CCI and/or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the foregoing 100% of the Capital Stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by one or more of the foregoing Persons, as applicable, and that directly or indirectly beneficially owns 100% of the Capital Stock of the Company, and any successor Person to any of the foregoing. For purposes of the second paragraph of Section 4.07, the term “Parent” shall include any corporate co-obligor if such Parent is a limited liability company or other association not taxed as a corporation.
Permitted Investments ” means:
(1)      any Investment in the Company or by the Company in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, or any Investment by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the Company or in another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(2)      any Investment in Cash Equivalents;
(3)      any Investment by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:
(a)      such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or
(b)      such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(4)      any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.11;
(5)      any Investment made out of the net cash proceeds of the issue and sale after the Issue Date (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (or cash contributions to the equity capital of the Company) to the extent that such net cash proceeds have not been applied to make a Restricted Payment or to effect other transactions pursuant to Section 4.07 hereof (with the amount of usage of the basket in this clause (5) being determined net of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, dividends, distributions, repayments, proceeds or other value otherwise returned or recovered in respect of any such Investment, but not to exceed the initial amount of such Investment);
(6)      other Investments in any Person (other than any Parent) having an aggregate fair market value, when taken together with all other Investments in any Person made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (without duplication) pursuant to

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this clause (6) from and after the Issue Date, not to exceed $1,100.0 million (initially measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, but reducing the amount outstanding by the aggregate amount of principal, interest, dividends, distributions, repayments, proceeds or other value otherwise returned or recovered in respect of any such Investment, but not to exceed the initial amount of such Investment) at any one time outstanding;
(7)      Investments in customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business which either (A) generate accounts receivable or (B) are accepted in settlement of bona fide disputes;
(8)      Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Issue Date or of an entity merged into the Company or merged into or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;
(9)      any Investment (other than an Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary) existing or pursuant to agreements or arrangements in effect, on the Issue Date and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Supplemental Indenture;
(10)      Investments received as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of customers or suppliers;
(11)      as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;
(12)      any Investment represented by Hedging Obligations not entered into for speculative purposes;
(13)      loans and advances to officers, directors and employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other expenses, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or to finance the purchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent and in an amount not to exceed $25.0 million at any one time outstanding;
(14)      Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent (exclusive of Disqualified Stock of the Company);
(15)      Guarantees of Indebtedness permitted by Section 4.10;
(16)      Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment or the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

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(17)      Investments consisting of the non-exclusive licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other persons;
(18)      the creation of Liens on the assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in compliance with Section 4.14;
(19)      Investments consisting of earnest money deposits required in connection with a purchase agreement or other acquisitions to the extent not otherwise prohibited under this Supplemental Indenture; and
(20)      without duplication of amounts that otherwise increased the amount available under one or more of the foregoing categories of Permitted Investments, investments made from the proceeds from any dividend or distribution by an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Permitted Liens ” means:
(1)      Liens on the assets of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under any of the Credit Facilities of such Restricted Subsidiary;
(2)      Liens in favor of the Company;
(3)      Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company;
(4)      Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;
(5)      Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(6)      purchase money mortgages or other purchase money Liens (including, without limitation, any Capital Lease Obligations) incurred by the Company upon any fixed or capital assets acquired after the Issue Date or purchase money mortgages (including without limitation Capital Lease Obligations) on any such assets, whether or not assumed, existing at the time of acquisition of such assets, whether or not assumed, so long as
(i)      such mortgage or Lien does not extend to or cover any of the assets of the Company, except the asset so developed, constructed, or acquired, and directly related assets such as enhancements and modifications thereto, substitutions, replacements, proceeds (including insurance proceeds), products, rents and profits thereof, and

17



(ii)      such mortgage or Lien secures the obligation to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of such asset, interest thereon and other charges, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the cost of design, development, construction, acquisition, transportation, installation, improvement, and migration) and is incurred in connection therewith (or the obligation under such Capital Lease Obligation) only;
(7)      Liens existing on the Issue Date and replacement Liens therefor that do not encumber additional property;
(8)      Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;
(9)      statutory and common law Liens of landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate legal proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made;
(10)      Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security;
(11)      Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases, statutory or regulatory obligation, bankers' acceptance, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other obligations of a similar nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);
(12)      easements, rights-of-way, municipal and zoning ordinances and similar charges, encumbrances, title defects or other irregularities that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(13)      Liens of franchisors or other regulatory bodies arising in the ordinary course of business;
(14)      Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases or other Uniform Commercial Code financing statements for precautionary purposes relating to arrangements not constituting Indebtedness;
(15)      Liens arising from the rendering of a final judgment or order against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that does not give rise to an Event of Default;

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(16)      Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit that encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and the products and proceeds thereof;
(17)      Liens encumbering customary initial deposits and margin deposits, and other Liens that are within the general parameters customary in the industry and incurred in the ordinary course of business, in each case, securing Indebtedness under Hedging Obligations and forward contracts, options, future contracts, future options or similar agreements or arrangements designed solely to protect the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from fluctuations in interest rates, currencies or the price of commodities;
(18)      Liens consisting of any interest or title of licensor in the property subject to a license;
(19)      Liens on the Capital Stock of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(20)      Liens arising from sales or other transfers of accounts receivable which are past due or otherwise doubtful of collection in the ordinary course of business;
(21)      Liens incurred with respect to obligations which in the aggregate do not exceed the greater of (i) $50.0 million or (ii) 1.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any one time outstanding;
(22)      Liens in favor of the Trustee arising under the provisions of Section 7.07 of this Supplemental Indenture and similar provisions in favor of trustees or other agents or representatives under indentures or other agreements governing debt instruments entered into after the date hereof;
(23)      Liens in favor of the Trustee for its benefit and the benefit of Holders as their respective interests appear; and
(24)      Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, to the extent that the Indebtedness being refinanced was secured or was permitted to be secured by such Liens.
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used, within 60 days after the date of issuance thereof, to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund, other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that unless permitted otherwise by this Supplemental Indenture, no Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary may be issued in exchange for, nor may the net proceeds of Indebtedness be used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund, Indebtedness of the direct or indirect parent of such Restricted Subsidiary; provided , further , that:
(1)      the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus accrued interest and premium, if any, on the Indebtedness so extended,

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refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith), except to the extent that any such excess principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) would be then permitted to be incurred by other provisions of Section 4.10;
(2)      such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(3)      if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to Holders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
Preferred Stock ” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which, by its terms, is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
Private Placement Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i)(a) to be placed on all Additional Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture.
Productive Assets ” means assets (including assets of a referent Person owned directly or indirectly through ownership of Capital Stock) of a kind used or useful in the Cable Related Business.
Prospectus ” means that certain preliminary prospectus supplement, dated August 8, 2012, as supplemented by the free writing prospectus, dated August 8, 2012.
Qualified Capital Stock ” means any Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock.
Rating Agencies ” means (i) each of Moody's and S&P and (ii) if either of Moody's or S&P ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside the Company's control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act, as amended, selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Company's Board of Directors) as a replacement agency for Moody's or S&P, or both, as the case may be.
Ratings Decline Period means the period that (i) begins on the earlier of (a) the date of the first public announcement of the occurrence of a Change of Control and (b) the occurrence of a Change of Control and (ii) ends 90 days following consummation of such Change of Control; provided that such period shall be extended for so long as the rating of the Notes, as

20



noted by the applicable Rating Agency, is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by the applicable Rating Agency.

Ratings Event ” means (x) a downgrade by one or more gradations (including gradations within ratings categories as well as between rating categories) or withdrawal of the rating of the Notes within the Ratings Decline Period by one or more Rating Agencies (unless the applicable Rating Agency shall have put forth a written statement to the effect that such downgrade is not attributable in whole or in part to the applicable Change of Control) and (y) the Notes do not have an Investment Grade Rating from either Rating Agency.

Reference Period ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Leverage Ratio.”
Register means a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuers shall provide for the registration of the Notes and of transfers and exchanges of such Notes which the Issuers shall cause to be kept at the appropriate office of the Registrar in accordance with Section 2.03.
Registration Rights Agreement ” means any registration rights agreement among the Issuers and the initial purchasers named therein with respect to any Additional Notes.
Regulation S Global Note ” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Legend deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in an initial denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of any Additional Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.
Regulation S Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(iii) which is required to be placed on all Regulation S Global Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture.
Restricted Investment ” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
Rule 144A Global Note ” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in an initial denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of any Additional Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
S&P ” means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
Shelf Registration Statement ” means a “shelf” registration statement providing for the registration and the sale on a continuous or delayed basis of any Additional Notes as may be provided in any Registration Rights Agreement.
Special Interest ” means special or additional interest in respect of the Notes that is payable by the Issuers as liquidated damages upon specified registration defaults pursuant to any Registration Rights Agreement.

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Supplemental Indenture ” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Supplemental Indenture.
Total Assets ” means the total assets of the Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Issuers.
Treasury Rate ” means, for any date, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the applicable redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data) most nearly equal to the period from the applicable redemption date to September 30, 2017; provided , however , that if the period from the applicable redemption date is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given except that if the period from the applicable redemption date to September 30, 2017 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
Unrestricted Global Note ” means a permanent Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing the Initial Notes or any Additional Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.
Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company or CCI as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a board resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(1)      has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
(2)      is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company unless such terms constitute Investments permitted under Section 4.08 and Permitted Investments or Asset Sales permitted under Section 4.11; and
(3)      does not own any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the board resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.08. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsid-

22



iary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.10, the Company shall be in default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company or CCI may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if:
(1)      such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.10 calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period; and
(2)      no Default or Event of Default would be in existence immediately following such designation.
Voting Stock ” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors or comparable governing body of such Person.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1)      the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by
(2)      the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary ” of any Person means a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding common equity interests or other ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person.
Section 1.02    Other Definitions.
Term
Defined
in Section
“Affiliate Transaction”
4.13
“Asset Sale Offer”
3.09
“Authentication Order”
2.02
“Change of Control Offer”
4.16
“Change of Control Payment”
4.16
“Change of Control Payment Date”
4.16
“Covenant Defeasance”
8.03
“DTC”
2.03


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“Excess Proceeds”
4.11
“Guaranteed Indebtedness”
4.17
“incur”
4.10
“Legal Defeasance”
8.02
“Offer Amount”
3.09
“Offer Period”
3.09
“Paying Agent”
2.03
“Permitted Debt”
4.10
“Purchase Date”
3.09
“Registrar”
2.03
“Restricted Payments”
4.07
“Subsidiary Guarantee”
4.17
“Suspended Covenants”
4.19

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

With respect to the Notes only, Article 2 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 2.01    Form and Dating. General . The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage or this Supplemental Indenture. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Supplemental Indenture and the Issuers, the Guarantor and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Supplemental Indenture, the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
(b)     Global Notes . Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A (without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06.


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(c)     Form of Initial Notes, Etc . All Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date are to be initially represented by one or more Unrestricted Global Notes.

(d)     Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable . The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream (or, in each case, equivalent documents setting forth the procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream) shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in Regulation S Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Section 2.02    Execution and Authentication. Two Officers shall sign the Notes for each Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature (which may be by facsimile) of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Supplemental Indenture.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture, the Issuers may deliver Notes executed by the Issuers to the Trustee for authentication; and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (i) Initial Notes for original issue in the aggregate principal amount of $1,250,000,000, (ii) Additional Notes from time to time for original issue in aggregate principal amount specified by the Issuers and (iii) Exchange Notes from time to time for issue in exchange for a like principal amount of Additional Notes, in each case specified in clauses (i) through (iii) above, upon a written order of the Issuers signed by an Officer of each of the Issuers (an “ Authentication Order ”). Such Authentication Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, whether such Notes are to be Initial Notes, Additional Notes or Exchange Notes and whether the Notes are to be issued as one or more Global Notes and such other information as the Issuers may include or the Trustee may reasonably request. The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Supplemental Indenture is unlimited.
On the Issue Date, the Issuers will issue Initial Notes in $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount in the form of one or more Unrestricted Global Notes. Any Additional Notes offered and sold in reliance on the exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Section 4(2) thereunder or Rule 144A shall be issued as one or more Rule 144A Global Notes. Any Additional Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued as one or more Regulation S Global Notes.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Supplemental Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuers.

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Section 2.03    Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”). Until otherwise designated by the Issuers, the Issuers' office or agency in New York shall be the office of the Trustee maintained for such purpose. The Registrar shall keep the Register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “ Registrar ” includes any co-registrar and the term “ Paying Agent ” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon not less than 10 Business Days' prior written notice to the Issuers. The Issuers shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Supplemental Indenture, which shall incorporate any applicable terms of the TIA. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Supplemental Indenture. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Issuers initially appoint The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

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Section 2.04    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be payable at the office of the Paying Agent or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to Holders at their respective addresses set forth in the Register; provided , all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name or held by the Depositary shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to accounts specified by the Holder prior to 10:00 a.m., New York time, on each due date of the principal and interest on any Note. The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuers, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05    Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders, and the Issuers shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

Section 2.06    Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes if:

(i) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

(ii) the Issuers in their sole discretion determine that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and deliver a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or

(iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes.


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Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f).
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes . The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Prior to the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S, beneficial interests in any Regulation S Global Notes may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream unless transferred in accordance with Section 2.06(b)(iii)(A). Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note . Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

(A) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(B) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

(C) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the De-

28



positary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(D) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (A) above.
 
Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.06(f), the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h).
(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the relevant Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement;


29



(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) such exchange or transfer is effected after the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S and the Registrar receives the following:

(1)      if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or
(2)      if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes .

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes . If any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof ( provided that any such beneficial interest in Regula-

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tion S Global Note shall not be so exchangeable until after the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S);

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3)(d) thereof, if applicable;

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h), and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
(ii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:

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(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the relevant Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) such exchange or transfer is effected after the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S and the Registrar receives the following:

(1)      if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(2)      if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iii) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . If any Holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii), the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h), and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons

32



in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in Global Notes .

(i)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes . If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non- U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

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the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of subparagraph (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of subparagraph (B) above, the Rule 144A Global Note or, in the case of subparagraph (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.
(ii)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the relevant Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) such exchange or transfer is effected after the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S and the Registrar receives the following:

(1)      if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or
(2)      if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

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(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.
(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes . Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder's compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes . Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

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(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the relevant Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) such exchange or transfer is effected after the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S and the Registrar receives the following:

(1)      if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or
(2)      if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) Exchange Offer . Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Offer in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not broker-dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the relevant Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers, and accepted for exchange in the relevant Exchange Offer and (ii) Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive

36



Notes accepted for exchange in the relevant Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.

(g) Legends . The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Supplemental Indenture:

(i) Private Placement Legend.

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Restricted Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

THE NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUERS THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (I) (A) TO A PERSON WHO IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (B) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUERS SO REQUEST), (II) TO THE ISSUERS, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE

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AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY.
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Initial Note and any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(ii), (c)(iii), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(ii) Global Note Legend . Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

(iii) Regulation S Legend . Each Regulation S Global Note should bear a legend in substantially the following form:

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THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon the Issuers' order or at the Registrar's request.

(ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.09, 4.11, 4.16 and 9.05).

(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Supplemental Inden-

39



ture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(v) The Issuers shall not be required to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuers may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuers shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02.

(viii) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

(ix) Each Holder of a Note agrees to indemnify the Issuers and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder's Note in violation of any provision of this Supplemental Indenture and/or applicable United States Federal or state securities law.

(x) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Supplemental Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Supplemental Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(xi) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

(xii) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, any transfers, replacements or exchanges of Notes, including as contemplated in this Article 2, shall not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness.

Section 2.07    Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Issuers and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee's requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss

40



that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is an additional legally binding obligation of the Issuers and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Supplemental Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
Section 2.08    Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than an Issuer, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
Section 2.09    Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by an Issuer, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with an Issuer or, if the TIA is applicable to this Supplemental Indenture, to the extent required by the TIA, any person controlling an Issuer, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
Section 2.10    Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuers considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

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Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Supplemental Indenture.
Section 2.11    Cancellation.

The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such canceled Notes in its customary manner. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.12    Defaulted Interest.

If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, they shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, which interest on defaulted interest shall accrue until the defaulted interest is deemed paid hereunder, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Issuers shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Issuers (or, upon the written request of the Issuers, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
Section 2.13    CUSIP Numbers.

The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the "CUSIP" numbers.

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ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

With respect to the Notes only, Article 3 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 3.01    Notices to Trustee.

If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07, they shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers' Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Supplemental Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.
Section 3.02    Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes for redemption as follows:

(1)      if any Notes are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed;
(2)      if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in accordance with any other method as the Trustee shall deem appropriate.
In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of a Holder's Notes are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Supplemental Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.
Section 3.03    Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09, at least 30 days (or, in the case of a redemption, pursuant to Section 3.07(d), 10 days) but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuers shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(a) the redemption date;

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(b) the redemption price;

(c) if any Note is being redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(f) that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption and redeemed ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(g) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Supplemental Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(i) any conditions to the Issuers obligations to redeem the Notes as contemplated by Section 3.04.

At the Issuers' request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuers' name and at their expense; provided , however , that each of the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as to which the Trustee may agree in its sole discretion), an Officers' Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.
Section 3.04    Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price; provided that any redemption or notice of any redemption may, at the Issuers' discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of an Equity Offering, other offering, issuance of Indebtedness, or other corporate transaction or event and notice of any redemption in respect thereof may be given prior to the completion thereof and may be partial as a result of only some of the conditions being satisfied; provided , however , that any such conditions precedent shall be set forth in the notice of redemption.
Section 3.05    Deposit of Redemption Price.

At or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying

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Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.
If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01.
Section 3.06    Notes Redeemed in Part.

No Notes of $2,000 principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuers shall issue and, upon the Issuers' written request, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
Section 3.07    Optional Redemption.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 3.07(b), (c) and (d), the Issuers shall not have the option to redeem the Notes pursuant to this Section 3.07 prior to September 30, 2017. Thereafter, the Issuers shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve month period beginning on September 30 of the years indicated below:

Year
Percentage
2017
102.625%
2018
101.750%
2019
100.875%
2020 and thereafter
100.000%

(b) At any time prior to September 30, 2015, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes), at a redemption price of 105.250% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:

i. at least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes) issued under this Supplemental Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Issuers and their Subsidiaries); and


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ii. the redemption must occur within 180 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(c) At any time and from time to time prior to September 30, 2017, the Issuers may redeem outstanding Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Notes to the redemption date plus the Make-Whole Premium.

(d) In the event that the Issuers have made a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 4.16, and have purchased not less than 90% of the then outstanding Notes pursuant to such Change of Control Offer, the Issuers may, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days' prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the applicable Change of Control Payment Date, redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such Change of Control Payment Date at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes so redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes so redeemed to the redemption date.

Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06.

Section 3.08    Mandatory Redemption.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.11 or Section 4.16 below, the Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.09    Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

In the event that the Issuers shall be required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes pursuant to Section 4.11 (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”), they shall follow the procedures specified below.
The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “ Offer Period ”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “ Purchase Date ”), the Issuers shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.11 (the “ Offer Amount ”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made. Unless the Issuers default in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date.
If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no Special Interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.
Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer the Issuers shall send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes

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pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:
(a) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.11 and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;

(b) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(c) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

(d) that, unless the Issuers default in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(e) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in multiple integrals of $1,000 in excess thereof only;

(f) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer the Note by book-entry transfer, to the Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(g) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(h) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Issuers shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Issuers so that only Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased); and

(i) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Issuers in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to

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each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuers for purchase, and the Issuers shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Issuers, shall authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuers to the Holder thereof. The Issuers shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.
Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06.
ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

With respect to the Notes only, the following Sections 4.03 through 4.19 are hereby added toArticle 4 of the Base Indenture:
Section 4.03    Reports.

Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuers shall furnish to Holders and the Trustee, within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and regulations:
(1)      all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuers were required to file such forms, including a “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual consolidated financial statements of the Company by its independent public accountants; and
(2)      all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Issuers were required to file such reports.
If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, for so long as the Issuers are direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries of CCI, if CCI has furnished Holders and filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the reports described in the preceding paragraphs with respect to CCI (including any consolidating financial information required by Regulation S-X relating to the Issuers), the Issuers shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this Section 4.03.

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Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers' compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).
Section 4.04    Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers' Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year have been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Supplemental Indenture and are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Supplemental Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

(b) The Issuers shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05    Taxes.

The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to Holders.
Section 4.06    Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

Each of the Issuers covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Supplemental Indenture; and each of the Issuers (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

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Section 4.07    Restricted Payments.

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(a) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of its or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company's or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable (x) solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or (y) in the case of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof);
(b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect Parent of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than, in the case of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any such Equity Interests owned directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries); or

(c) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, any Indebtedness of the Company (other than intercompany Indebtedness among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is permitted to be incurred under this Supplemental Indenture) that is subordinated to the Notes, except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (a) through (c) above being collectively referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:
(1)      no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
(2)      the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.10; and
(3)      such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from and after the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (12) of the next succeeding paragraph), shall not exceed, at the date of determination, the sum of:
(a)      an amount equal to 100% of the Consolidated EBITDA of the Company for the period beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter commencing April 1, 2010

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to the end of the Company's most recently ended full fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available, taken as a single accounting period, less the product of 1.3 times the Consolidated Interest Expense of the Company for such period, plus
(b)      an amount equal to 100% of Capital Stock Sale Proceeds (reduced for purpose of this clause (b) by (A) any amount of such Capital Stock Sale Proceeds (i) used in connection with an Investment made on or after the Issue Date pursuant to clause (5) of the definition of “Permitted Investments,” (ii) applied to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (2) or sub-clause (y)(2) of clause (9) below, or (iii) relied upon for purposes of incurring Contribution Indebtedness and (B) the amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to sub-clause (A)(i), (B) or (C) of clause (8) and sub-clause (y)(1) of clause (9) below, in each case, by an amount not to exceed the amount of Capital Stock Sale Proceeds from any Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness or Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness), plus

(c)      $2,000.0 million.
The preceding provisions shall not prohibit:
(1)      the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture;
(2)      the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock);
(3)      the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(4)      the payment of any dividend or distribution to the extent necessary to permit direct or indirect beneficial owners of shares of Capital Stock of the Company to pay federal, state or local income tax liabilities that would arise solely from income of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, for the relevant taxable period being attributable to them;
(5)      payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
(6)      the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value, or the payment of any dividend or distribution to the extent necessary to permit the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value, of any Equity Interests of the Company or a Parent of the Company held by any member of the Company's or such Parent's management pursuant to any management equity subscription agreement or stock option agreement entered into in accordance with the policies of the Company or any Parent; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed,

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acquired or retired Equity Interests shall not exceed $10.0 million in any fiscal year of the Issuers;
(7)      payment of fees in connection with any acquisition, merger or similar transaction in an amount that does not exceed an amount equal to 1.25% of the transaction value of such acquisition, merger or similar transaction;
(8)      (A) additional Restricted Payments directly or indirectly to CCH II or any Parent (i) for the purpose of enabling CCH II and/or any Parent to pay interest when due on Indebtedness under the CCH II Indentures and/or any Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness or (ii) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing and the Company would have been permitted, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable quarter period, to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.10, consisting of dividends or distributions to the extent required to enable CCH II or any Charter Parent Refinancing Subsidiary to defease, redeem, repurchase, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire for value Indebtedness under the CCH II Indentures or any Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness (including any expenses and fees incurred by any Parent in connection therewith); (B) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, Restricted Payments used to defease, redeem, repurchase, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire for value Indebtedness under CCH II Indentures or any Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness or consisting of purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under the CCH II Indentures or any Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness (including any expenses and fees incurred by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith) and the distribution, loan or investment to any Parent of Indebtedness so purchased, redeemed or acquired, or (C) Restricted Payments for the purpose of enabling any Parent to (i) pay interest when due on Indebtedness under any Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness or (ii) to defease, redeem, repurchase, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire for value Indebtedness under any Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness (including any expenses and fees incurred by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith);
(9)      Restricted Payments directly or indirectly to CCH II or any other Parent regardless of whether a Default exists (other than an Event of Default under paragraphs (1), (2), (7) or (8) of Section 6.01), for the purpose of enabling such Person (A) to pay interest on and (B) so long as the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.10 to defease, redeem, repurchase, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire, in each case, Indebtedness of such Parent (x) which is not held by another Parent and (y) to the extent that the net cash proceeds of such Indebtedness are or were used for the (1) payment of interest or principal (or premium) on any Indebtedness of a Parent (including (A) by way of a tender, redemption or prepayment of such Indebtedness and (B) amounts set aside to prefund any such payment), (2) direct or indirect (in-

52



cluding by way of a contribution of property and/or assets purchased with such net cash proceeds) Investment in the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (3) payment of amounts that would be permitted to be paid by way of a Restricted Payment under clause (10) immediately below (including the expenses of any exchange transaction);
(10)      Restricted Payments directly or indirectly to CCH II or any other Parent of (A) attorneys' fees, investment banking fees, accountants' fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and expenses (including any commitment and other fees payable in connection with Credit Facilities) actually incurred in connection with any issuance, sale or incurrence by CCH II or such Parent of Equity Interests or Indebtedness, or any exchange of securities or tender for outstanding debt securities, or (B) the costs and expenses of any offer to exchange privately placed securities in respect of the foregoing for publicly registered securities or any similar concept having a comparable purpose;
(11)      the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests of the Company or Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Company, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to an Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock);
(12)      the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with Section 4.10; and
(13)      so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (13) not to exceed $50.0 million.
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose resolution with respect thereto shall be delivered to the Trustee. Such Board of Directors' determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if the fair market value exceeds $100.0 million.
Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment other than in the form of cash having a fair market value in excess of $10.0 million, the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by this Section 4.07 were computed, together with a copy of any fairness opinion or appraisal required by this Supplemental Indenture.

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Section 4.08    Investments.

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(1)      make any Restricted Investment; or
(2)      allow any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to become an Unrestricted Subsidiary,
unless, in each case:
(a)      no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
(b)      the Company would, at the time of, and after giving effect to, such Restricted Investment or such designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.10.
An Unrestricted Subsidiary may be redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary if such redesignation would not cause a Default.
Section 4.09    Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.

The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:
(a)      pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(b)      make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(c)      transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
However, the preceding restrictions shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1)      Existing Indebtedness as in effect on the Issue Date (including, without limitation, Indebtedness under any of the Credit Facilities) and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions

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than those contained in the most restrictive Existing Indebtedness, as in effect on the Issue Date;
(2)      this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes;
(3)      applicable law, rule, regulation or order;
(4)      any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Supplemental Indenture to be incurred;
(5)      customary non-assignment provisions in leases, franchise agreements and other commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;
(6)      purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on the property so acquired of the nature described in clause (c) of the preceding paragraph;
(7)      any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that restricts distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;
(8)      Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(9)      Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations otherwise permitted to be incurred under Section 4.14 that limit the right of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to dispose of the assets subject to such Lien;
(10)      provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements;
(11)      restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(12)      restrictions contained in the terms of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.10; provided that such restrictions are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the terms contained in the most restrictive, together or individually of the Credit Facilities as in effect on the Issue Date;

55



(13)      restrictions that are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than customary provisions in comparable financings and that the management of the Company determines, at the time of such financing, will not materially impair the Issuers' ability to make payments as required under the Notes; and
(14)      any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (13) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Issuers, not materially more restrictive taken as a whole with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
Section 4.10    Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “ incur ”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and the Company shall not issue any Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, provided that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness or the Company may issue Disqualified Stock and Restricted Subsidiaries may issue Preferred Stock if the Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been not greater than 6.0 to 1.0 and in each case, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of the most recently ended fiscal quarter.
The first paragraph of this Section 4.10 shall not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “ Permitted Debt ”):
(1)      the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under this clause (1) for all Credit Facilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after giving effect to such incurrence does not exceed an amount equal to $1,500.0 million;
(2)      the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Existing Indebtedness (including Indebtedness outstanding under Credit Facilities on the Issue Date);
(3)      the incurrence on the Issue Date by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (other than any Additional Notes);
(4)      the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of

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the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement (including, without limitation, the cost of design, development, construction, acquisition, transportation, installation, improvement, and migration) of Productive Assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $300.0 million and (ii) 5.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (4);
(5)      the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace, in whole or in part, Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Supplemental Indenture to be incurred under this clause (5), the first paragraph of this Section 4.10 or clauses (2), (3), (9) or (12) of this second paragraph;
(6)      the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that:
(a)      if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Notes; and
(b)      (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof, shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness that was not permitted by this clause (6);
(7)      the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations (other than for speculative purposes);
(8)      the guarantee by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.10;
(9)      Acquired Debt or Disqualified Stock of a Person that becomes, or is merged into, a Restricted Subsidiary or any Issuer; provided , however , that after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such acquisition or merger had been made at the beginning of the applicable quarter period, the Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or less than immediately prior to such transaction;
(10)      the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding under this clause (10), not to exceed the greater of (i) $300.0 million and (ii) 5.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

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(11)      the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the write up of Indebtedness in accordance with purchase accounting;
(12)      Contribution Indebtedness;
(13)      Indebtedness arising from agreements of any Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for and to the extent of indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition or acquisition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; and
(14)      Indebtedness from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within 10 business days of its incurrence.
In the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (1) through (14) of the second paragraph of this Section 4.10 or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.10, the Issuers, in their sole discretion, may classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses or the first paragraph of this Section 4.10. Additionally, all or any portion of any item of Indebtedness may later be classified as having been incurred pursuant to any category of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (14) above or pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.10 so long as such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is permitted to be incurred pursuant to such provision at the time of reclassification. At the time of incurrence, the Issuers will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in more than one of the types of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described above in this Section 4.10.

Section 4.11    Limitation on Asset Sales.

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(1)      the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of;
(2)      such fair market value is determined by the Board of Directors of the Company; and
(3)      at least 75.0% of the consideration therefor received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents or readily marketable securities.

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For purposes of this Section 4.11, each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:
(a)      any liabilities (as shown on the Company's or such Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;
(b)      any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the recipient thereof into cash, Cash Equivalents or readily marketable securities within 180 days after receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash, Cash Equivalents or readily marketable securities received in that conversion);
(c)      Productive Assets; and
(d)      any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (d) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $500.0 million and 3.0% of Total Assets, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.
Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof may apply such Net Proceeds at its option:
(1)      to repay or otherwise retire debt under the Credit Facilities or any other Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company (other than Indebtedness represented solely by a guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company); or
(2)      to invest in Productive Assets; provided that any such amount of Net Proceeds which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof has committed to invest in Productive Assets within 365 days of the applicable Asset Sale may be invested in Productive Assets within two years of such Asset Sale.
The amount of any Net Proceeds received from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraph shall constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Company shall make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is of equal priority with the Notes containing provisions requiring offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, which amount includes the entire amount of the Net Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer shall be payable in cash and equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of the subject Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Pro-

59



ceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority to be purchased on a pro rata basis.
If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, then the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof may use such remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Supplemental Indenture. Upon completion of any Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
In the event that the Company shall be required to commence an offer to Holders to purchase Notes pursuant to this Section 4.11, it shall follow the procedures specified in Sections 3.01 through 3.09.
Section 4.12    [Reserved].

Section 4.13    Transactions with Affiliates.

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless:
(1)      such Affiliate Transaction is on terms, taken as a whole, that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
(2)      the Company delivers to the Trustee:
(a)      with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration given or received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $25.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or CCI set forth in an Officers' Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 4.13 and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the members of such Board of Directors; and
(b)      with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration given or received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $100.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.
The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, shall not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:
(1)      any existing employment agreement entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any employment agreement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

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(2)      transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3)      payment of reasonable directors fees to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company and customary indemnification and insurance arrangements in favor of directors and officers, regardless of affiliation with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(4)      payment of Management Fees;
(5)      Restricted Payments that are permitted by Section 4.07 and Restricted Investments that are permitted by Section 4.08;
(6)      Permitted Investments;
(7)      transactions pursuant to, and the performance of, agreements existing on the Issue Date, as in effect on the Issue Date, or as subsequently modified, supplemented, or amended, to the extent that any such modifications, supplements or amendments complied with the applicable provisions of the first paragraph of this Section 4.13;
(8)      the assignment and assumption of contracts (which contracts are entered into prior to the Issue Date on an arms-length basis in the ordinary course of business of the relevant Parent), reasonably related to the business of the Company and the assignment and assumption of which would not result in the incurrence of any Indebtedness by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary by a Parent;
(9)      transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate solely as a result of the fact that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary controls or otherwise owns Equity Interests of such Person;
(10)      equity contributions in, and the issuance of Equity Interests of, the Company; and
(11)      any (x) purchases of any class of Indebtedness from, or lending of any class of Indebtedness to, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the amount of Indebtedness of such class purchased or loaned by such Affiliates does not exceed 25% of the applicable class of Indebtedness offered to non-Affiliate investors generally and (y) repurchases, redemptions or other retirements for value by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of any class held by any Affiliate of the Company so long as such repurchase, redemption or other retirement for value is on the same terms as are made available to investors holding such class of Indebtedness generally and Affiliates hold no more than 25% of such class of Indebtedness.
Section 4.14    Liens.

The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness, Attributable Debt or trade payables on any as-

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set of the Company, whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens.
Section 4.15    Existence.

Subject to, and as permitted under, Article 5, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its limited liability company existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve or keep the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries (other than Capital Corp if the other Issuer is not then a corporation), if the Company shall determine that the preservation or keeping thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section 4.16    Repurchase at the Option of Holders upon a Change of Control Triggering Event.

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, each Holder shall have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder's Notes pursuant to a “Change of Control Offer.” In the Change of Control Offer, the Issuers shall offer a “Change of Control Payment” in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase.
Within ten days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuers shall mail a notice to each Holder (with a copy to the Trustee) describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and stating:
(1)      the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall not exceed 30 Business Days from the date such notice is mailed (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”);
(2)      that any Note not tendered shall continue to accrue interest;
(3)      that, unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;
(4)      that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
(5)      that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the

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name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and
(6)      that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
The Issuers shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act (or any successor rules) and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.16, the Issuers' compliance with such laws and regulations shall not in and of itself cause a breach of their obligations under this Section 4.16.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent lawful:
(1)      accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(2)      deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and
(3)      deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Issuers.
The Paying Agent shall promptly pay to each Holder of Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Issuers shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
The provisions described above that require the Issuers to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control Triggering Event shall be applicable regardless of whether or not any other provisions in this Supplemental Indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control Triggering Event, this Supplemental Indenture does not contain provisions that permit Holders to require that the Issuers repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.16, the Issuers shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Supplemental Indenture applicable to a Change of

63



Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and the Issuers purchase all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Issuers will have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days' prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes that remain outstanding, to, but not including, the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

Section 4.17    Limitations on Issuances of Guarantees of Indebtedness.

The Company shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to Guarantee any other Indebtedness of the Company except in respect of the Credit Facilities of the Company (the “ Guaranteed Indebtedness ”) unless:
(1)      such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture providing for the Guarantee (a “ Subsidiary Guarantee ”) of the payment of the Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary, and
(2)      until one year after all the Notes have been paid in full in cash, such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary thereof as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that this paragraph shall not be applicable to any Guarantee or any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.
If the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes, then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Subsidiary Guarantee at least to the extent that the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes.
If any Guarantor is released from its obligations on Guaranteed Indebtedness it shall be automatically released from its obligation with respect to its Guarantee of the Notes hereunder.
Section 4.18    [Reserved].

Section 4.19    Suspension of Covenants.

During any period of time that (a) any Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from both Rating Agencies and (b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to the provisions of Sec-

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tions 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.13 and clause (D) of the first paragraph of Section 5.01 (collectively, the “ Suspended Covenants ”).
If the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of the previous sentence and, subsequently, one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their ratings or downgrades the ratings assigned to the Notes below the required Investment Grade Ratings or a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants. The ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to make Restricted Payments after the time of such withdrawal, downgrade, Default or Event of Default shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of Section 4.07 as though such covenant had been in effect during the entire period of time from the Issue Date.
ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

With respect to the Notes only, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 5.01    Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.

Neither Issuer may, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:
(A) either:

(i)          such Issuer is the surviving Person; or
(ii)      the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, provided that if the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger with such Issuer is a limited liability company or a Person other than a corporation, a corporate co-issuer shall also be an obligor with respect to the Notes;
(B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and

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(D) such Issuer or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the most recently ended fiscal quarter,

(x)      be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.10; or
(y)      have a Leverage Ratio immediately after giving effect to such consolidation or merger no greater than the Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such consolidation or merger.
In addition, the Company may not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person. The foregoing clause (D) of this Section 5.01 shall not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and any of its Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.
SECTION 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

With respect to the Notes only, the following clause (9) is hereby added to Section 6.01 of the Base Indenture:
Section 6.01    Events of Default.

(9)      failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of Section 4.16 or 5.01.
SECTION 7

TRUSTEE

With respect to the Notes only, Article 7 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 7.01    Duties of Trustee.

(1)      If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Supplemental Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.
(2)      Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(a)      the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Supplemental Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that

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are specifically set forth in this Supplemental Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Supplemental Indenture against the Trustee; and
(b)      in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions required to be furnished to the Trustee hereunder and conforming to the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(3)      The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own gross negligent action, its own gross negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a)      this paragraph (3) does not limit the effect of paragraph (2) of this Section 7.01;
(b)      the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(c)      the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.
(4)      Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Supplemental Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this Section 7.01.
(5)      No provision of this Supplemental Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Supplemental Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense.
(6)      The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(7)      The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or documents.

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Section 7.02    Rights of Trustee.

(1)      The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(2)      Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the written advice or opinion of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(3)      The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(4)      The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Supplemental Indenture.
(5)      Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Supplemental Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from either of the Issuers shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of such Issuer.
(6)      The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Supplemental Indenture at the request or direction of any of Holder unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(7)      The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless either (a) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (b) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to and received at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee by the Issuers or any Holder and such notice references the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture.
(8)      The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuers and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

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(9)      In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(10)      The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(11)      The Trustee may request that the Issuers deliver certificates setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture.
Section 7.03    Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days and apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
Section 7.04    Trustee's Disclaimer.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers' use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers or upon the Issuers' direction under any provision of this Supplemental Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05    Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after the Trustee acquires knowledge thereof. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders.
Section 7.06    Reports by Trustee to Holders.

By March 15th of each year, and for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months

69



preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Issuers shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed or delisted on any stock exchange.
Section 7.07    Compensation and Indemnity.

The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation as agreed upon in writing for its acceptance of this Supplemental Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.
The Issuers and the Parent Guarantor shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor trustee against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Supplemental Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Supplemental Indenture against the Issuers (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuers or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, damage, claim, liability or expense determined to have been caused by its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity of which a Responsible Officer has received written notice. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers shall not relieve the Issuers of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuers need not pay for any settlement made without their consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The obligations of the Issuers in this Section 7.07 shall survive resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction, discharge or termination of this Supplemental Indenture.
To secure the Issuers' payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except such money or property held in trust by the Trustee to pay the principal of and interest on any Notes. Such Lien shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Supplemental Indenture.

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When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.
Section 7.08    Replacement of the Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee's acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged as bankrupt or as insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuers or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition at the expense of the Issuers any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Supplemental Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as

71



Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers' obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09    Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10    Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Supplemental Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §§ 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).
Section 7.11    Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuers. The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

With respect to the Notes only, Section 8.03 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 8.03    Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuers' exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Article 5 and Sections 4.03, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.13, 4.14, 4.16, 4.17 and 4.19 with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuers may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01, but, except as

72



specified above, the remainder of this Supplemental Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers' exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, Sections 6.01(3) through 6.01(5) and 6.01(8) shall not constitute Events of Default.
ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

With respect to the Notes only, clause (3) of Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 9.01    Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

(3)      to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes or the Exchange Notes;
With respect to the Notes and any other series of Notes, clauses (2) and (7) of Section 9.02 of the Base Indenture are hereby replaced with the following:
Section 9.02    With Consent of Holders of Notes.

(2)      reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the payment provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes (other than a payment required by Section 3.09, Section 4.11, or Section 4.16 of this Supplemental Indenture or the supplemental indentures with respect to the Base Indenture entered into prior to the date hereof);
(7)      waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Section 3.09, Section 4.11, or Section 4.16 of this Supplemental Indenture or the supplemental indentures with respect to the Base Indenture entered into prior to the date hereof); or


73



ARTICLE 11

MISCELLANEOUS

With respect to the Notes only, Section 11.13 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 11.13    Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Supplemental Indenture or the Base Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions. Unless otherwise expressly specified, references in this Supplemental Indenture to specific Articles, Sections or clauses refer to Articles, Sections and clauses contained in this Supplemental Indenture, unless such Article, Section or clause is incorporated herein by reference to the Base Indenture or no such Article, Section or clause appears in this Supplemental Indenture, in which case such references refer to the applicable section of the Base Indenture.

With respect to the Notes only, the following Section 11.16 is hereby added to Article 11 of the Base Indenture:
Section 11.16    Supplemental Indenture Controls.

In case any provision of this Supplemental Indenture conflicts with any provision of the Base Indenture, the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture shall govern and be controlling, solely with respect to the Notes (and the Parent Guarantee and any Subsidiary Guarantees endorsed thereon).

ARTICLE 12

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 12.01    Satisfaction and Discharge of Supplemental Indenture.

This Supplemental Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Supplemental Indenture, when
(1)      either
(a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 and (ii) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuers and thereafter repaid to the Issuers or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

74



(i) have become due and payable, or

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers,

and the Issuers, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable) or to the maturity or redemption thereof, as the case may be;

(2)      the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers; and
(3)      each of the Issuers has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Supplemental Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Supplemental Indenture pursuant to this Article 12, the obligations of the Issuers to the Trustee under Section 7.07, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 12.01, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 12.02 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
Section 12.02    Application of Trust Money.

All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
[Signatures on following page]









75



Dated as of August 22, 2012
CCO HOLDINGS, LLC, as an Issuer
By:
/s/ Matt L. Derdeyn
Name: Matt L. Derdeyn
Title: Senior Vice President - Finance and Planning

CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP., as an Issuer

By:
/s/ Matt L. Derdeyn
Name: Matt L. Derdeyn
Title: Senior Vice President - Finance and Planning
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC., as Guarantor, with respect to Article 10 and Section 7.07 only
By:
/s/ Matt L. Derdeyn
Name: Matt L. Derdeyn
Title: Senior Vice President - Finance and Planning




THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:      /s/ Teresa Petta
Name: Teresa Petta
Title: Vice President







EXHIBIT A
[THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.] 1     
[THE NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,

                                                               
1      Include Global Note Legend, if applicable.

A-1



AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUERS THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (I) (A) TO A PERSON WHO IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (B) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUERS SO REQUEST), (II) TO THE ISSUERS, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY.]      2  
[THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE

                                                               
2      Include Private Placement Legend, if applicable.


A-2



THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]      3  

                                                               
3      Include Regulation S Legend, if applicable.

      

A-3



[Face of Note]
CUSIP NO. [ ]

5.250% Senior Notes due 2022

No [   ].
$[ ]

CCO HOLDINGS, LLC
and
CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP.
promise to pay to CEDE & CO. or to registered assigns the principal amount of $[          ]
Dollars on September 30, 2022

Interest Payment Dates: March 30 and September 30
Record Dates: March 15 and September 15
Subject to Restrictions set forth in this Note.

A-4



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated: [          ]  
CCO HOLDINGS, LLC

By:__________________________________     
Name:
Title:


By:__________________________________         
Name:
Title:
CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP.

By:__________________________________     
Name:
Title:


By:__________________________________         
Name:
Title:


This is one of the Notes referred to
in the within-mentioned Supplemental Indenture:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as Trustee

By: __________________________________
Authorized Signatory

A-5



[Back of Note]
5.250% Senior Note due 2022
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Supplemental Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1.      INTEREST. CCO Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and CCO Holdings Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Capital Corp ” and, together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate of 5.250% per annum from the Issue Date until maturity. The interest rate on the Notes is subject to increase pursuant to the provisions of a Registration Rights Agreement, as applicable. The Issuers will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on March 30 and September 30 of each year (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”), or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided , further , that the first Interest Payment Date shall be March 30, 2013. The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1.00% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2.      METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on March 15 or September 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Supplemental Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest and premium on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

A-6



3.      PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Supplemental Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
4.      INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of May 10, 2011 (the “ Base Indenture ”), as supplemented by the Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 22, 2012 (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”), among the Issuers, Charter Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as guarantor, and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Supplemental Indenture and those made part of the Supplemental Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Supplemental Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Supplemental Indenture, the provisions of the Supplemental Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
5.      OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.
(a)      On or after September 30, 2017, the Issuers shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve month period beginning on September 30 of the years indicated below:
Year
Percentage
2017
102.625%
2018
101.750%
2019
100.875%
2020 and thereafter
100.000%

(b)      At any time prior to September 30, 2015, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes), at a redemption price of 105.250% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:
(1)      at least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes) issued under the Supplemental Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Issuers and their Subsidiaries); and
(2)      the redemption must occur within 180 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

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(c)      At any time and from time to time prior to September 30, 2017, the Issuers may redeem outstanding Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Notes to the redemption date plus the Make-Whole Premium.
(d)      In the event that the Issuers have made a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 4.16 of the Supplemental Indenture, and have purchased not less than 90% of the then outstanding Notes pursuant to such Change of Control Offer, the Issuers may, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days' prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the applicable Change of Control Payment Date, redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such Change of Control Payment Date at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes so redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes so redeemed to the redemption date.
6.      MANDATORY REDEMPTION. Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 7 below, the Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.
7.      REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER.
(a)      If there is a Change of Control, the Issuers shall make an offer to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder's Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase. Within 10 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers shall mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes on the Change of Control Payment Date specified in such notice, pursuant to the procedures required by the Supplemental Indenture and described in such notice.
(b)      If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof consummates any Asset Sale, when the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Company shall commence an offer (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Supplemental Indenture to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is of equal priority with the Notes containing provisions requiring offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, which amount includes the entire amount of the Net Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be payable in cash and equal to 100% of principal amount of the subject Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority to be purchased on a pro rata basis.
If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, then the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof may use such remaining Excess Pro-

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ceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Supplemental Indenture. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Issuers prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse side of the Notes.
8.      DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Supplemental Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Supplemental Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
9.      PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
10.      AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes). Any existing Default or compliance with any provision of the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes (other than any provision relating to the right of any Holder to bring suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal, premium, if any, any interest on the Note, on or after the scheduled due dates expressed herein) may be waived, including by way of amendment, with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes). Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes (i) to cure any ambiguity, mistake, defect or inconsistency, (ii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, (iii) to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes, (iv) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers' obligations to Holders in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Issuers' assets, (v) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Supplemental Indenture of any such Holder, (vi) to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Supplemental Indenture under the TIA or otherwise as necessary to comply with applicable law or (vii) to conform the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes to the “Description of Notes” section of the Prospectus.

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11.      DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Each of the following is an Event of Default: (i) default for 30 consecutive days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes, (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes, (iii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with Sections 4.16 and 5.01 of the Supplemental Indenture, (iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 consecutive days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding to comply with any of their other covenants or agreements in the Supplemental Indenture, (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the date of the Supplemental Indenture, if that default: (a) is caused by a failure to pay at final stated maturity the principal amount of such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “ Payment Default ”); or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $100.0 million or more, (vi) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments which are non-appealable aggregating in excess of $100.0 million, net of applicable insurance which has not been denied in writing by the insurer, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days or (vii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries.
In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Issuers or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Issuers and the Trustee may declare all the Notes to be due and payable.
Holders may not enforce the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Supplemental Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to matters relating to the Notes. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Supplemental Indenture

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except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes.
The Issuers are required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture. Upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Issuers are required to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.
12.      TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH ISSUERS. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Issuers or their Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
13.      NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator, member or stockholder of either of the Issuers, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers under the Notes or the Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
14.      GOVERNING LAW. THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS NOTE AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THE HOLDERS AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE.
15.      AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
16.      ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
17.      ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Supplemental Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in any Registration Rights Agreement.
18.      CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP

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numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Supplemental Indenture, the Base Indenture and/or any Registration Rights Agreement, as applicable. Requests may be made to:
CCO Holdings, LLC
CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
c/o Charter Communications, Inc.
12405 Powerscourt Drive, Suite 100
St. Louis, Missouri 63131
Attention: Secretary
Telecopier No.: (314) 965-8793

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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
(i) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: _____________________________________
(Insert assignee's legal name)
________________________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint ________________________________________________ to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date:______________________________
Your Signature:_____________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Signature Guarantee*:________________________________________________
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.11 or 4.16 of the Supplemental Indenture, check the appropriate box below:
¨ Section 4.11                  ¨ Section 4.16
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.11 or Section 4.16 of the Supplemental Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$ _______________________
Date:____________________
Your Signature:_____________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Tax Identification No.: _______________________________________________
Signature Guarantee*: _______________________________________________
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
Date of Exchange
 
Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount of this Global Note
 
Amount of
increase in
Principal Amount of this Global Note
 
Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease (or increase)
 
Signature of
authorized officer of Trustee or Note Custodian
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



A-15



EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
CCO Holdings, LLC
CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
c/o Charter Communications, Inc.
12405 Powerscourt Drive, Suite 100
St. Louis, Missouri 63131

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Facsimile No.: (312) 827-8542
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Re: CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
¨ 5.250% Senior Notes due 2022 (CUSIP [          ]) (the “ Notes ”)

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2011 (the “ Base Indenture ”), as supplemented by the Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 22, 2012 (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”), among CCO Holdings, LLC (the “ Company ”), CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (“ Capital Corp ” and, together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), the guarantor party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Supplemental Indenture.
___________________ (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $_____________________________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to ___________________________ (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
¨      1.      Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note Pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional

B-1



buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Rule 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Supplemental Indenture and the Securities Act.
¨      2.      Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act and (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Supplemental Indenture and the Securities Act. If the Transfer of the beneficial interest occurs prior to the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S, the transferred beneficial interest will be held immediately thereafter through Euroclear or Clearstream.
¨      3.      Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
¨      (i)      such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or
¨      (ii)      such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof; or

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¨      (iii)      such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; or
¨      (iv)      such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Supplemental Indenture and (2) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Note and/or the Definitive Notes and in the Supplemental Indenture and the Securities Act.
¨      4.      Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.
¨      (i)      Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Supplemental Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Supplemental Indenture.
¨      (ii)      Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Supplemental Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enu-

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merated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Supplemental Indenture.
¨      (iii)      Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Supplemental Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Supplemental Indenture.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.
____________________________________________
[Insert Name of Transferor]

By__________________________________________
Name:
Title:

Dated: ______________________________________
 

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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1.      The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
¨      (a)      a beneficial interest in the:
¨      (i)      Rule 144A Global Note (CUSIP __________), or
¨      (ii)      Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or
¨      (b)      a Restricted Definitive Note.
2.      After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:
[CHECK ONE]
¨      (a)      a beneficial interest in the:
¨      (i)      Rule 144A Global Note (CUSIP __________), or
¨      (ii)      Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or
¨      (iii)      Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP _________); or
¨      (b)      a Restricted Definitive Note; or
¨      (c)      an Unrestricted Definitive Note,
in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture.



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EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
CCO Holdings, LLC
CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
c/o Charter Communications, Inc.
12405 Powerscourt Drive, Suite 100
St. Louis, Missouri 63131

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Facsimile No.: (312) 827-8542
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Re: CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
¨
5.250% Senior Notes due 2022 (CUSIP [          ]) (the “ Notes ”)

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2011 (the “ Base Indenture ”), as supplemented by the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 22, 2012 (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”), among CCO Holdings, LLC (the “ Company ”), CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (“ Capital Corp ” and, together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), the guarantor party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Supplemental Indenture.
__________________________ (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $____________________________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1.      Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note
¨      (i)      Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance

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with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. If the Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner further certifies that it is either (x) a non-U.S. Person to whom Notes would be transferred in accordance with Regulation S or (y) a U.S. Person who purchased Notes in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act.
¨      (ii)      Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
¨      (iii)      Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner's Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. If the Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note to an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner further certifies that it is either (x) a non-U.S. Person to whom Notes could be transferred in accordance with Regulation S or (y) a U.S. Person who purchased Notes in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act.
¨      (iv)      Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner's Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance

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with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2.      Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes
¨      (i)      Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer. If the Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note to a Restricted Definitive Note, the Owner further certifies that it is either (x) a non-U.S. Person to whom Notes could be transferred in accordance with Regulation S or (y) a U.S. Person who purchased Notes in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Supplemental Indenture and the Securities Act.
¨      (ii)      Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ¨ Rule 144A Global Note or ¨ Regulation S Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Supplemental Indenture and the Securities Act.

C-3



This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.
____________________________________________
[Insert Name of Transferor]

By__________________________________________
Name:
Title:

Dated: ______________________________________



C-4



EXHIBIT D
FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM
ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

CCO Holdings, LLC
CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
c/o Charter Communications, Inc.
12405 Powerscourt Drive, Suite 100
St. Louis, Missouri 63131

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Facsimile No.: (312) 827-8542
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Re: CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
¨
5.250% Senior Notes due 2022 (CUSIP [          ]) (the “ Notes ”)

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2011 (the “ Base Indenture ”), as supplemented by the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 22, 2012 (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”), among CCO Holdings, LLC (the “ Company ”), CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (“ Capital Corp ” and, together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), the guarantor party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Supplemental Indenture.
In connection with our proposed purchase of $____________ aggregate principal amount of:
(i)      ¨      a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or
(ii)      ¨      a Definitive Note,
we confirm that:
1.      We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Supplemental Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

D-1



2.      We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (a) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (b) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (c) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (d) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144(d) under the Securities Act or (f) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (a) through (e) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.
3.      We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Issuers such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Issuers may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.
4.      We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.
5.      We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.
You and the Issuers are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
____________________________________________
[Insert Name of Transferor]
By__________________________________________
Name:
Title:
Dated: ______________________________________



D-2


Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment No.1”), effective August 8, 2012, to the Registration Rights Agreement dated as November 30, 2009 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) by and among Charter Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the parties thereto and any parties identified on the signature page of any joinder agreements executed and delivered pursuant to Section 11 thereof (each, including the Investors, a “Holder” and, collectively, the “Holders”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Whereas , the Company and the signatories hereto wish to amend the Registration Rights Agreement as set forth below;
Whereas , the Registration Rights Agreement may be amended with the consent of the Company and Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities then outstanding to such amendment, action or omission to act;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the Holders signatory hereto hereby agree as follows:
The Registration Rights Agreement shall be amended as follows:
(i)
The following shall be added at the end Section 2 of the Registration Rights Agreement:

“(j)      Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in the event a Shelf Takedown is an underwritten transaction not involving (i) any “road show” or a (ii) lock-up agreement of more than 45 days to which the Company is a party, and which is commonly known as a “block trade” (a “Block Trade”), (1) the requesting Holder shall (i) give at least four business days prior notice in writing of such transaction to (A) the Company; and (B) any holder of Registrable Securities that is a party to this Agreement and (x) holds more than 5% of the New Common Stock if able to be identified through public filings or (y) is identified by the Company as an Affiliate of the Company; and (ii) with respect to any Block Trade priced after August 10th, 2012, identify the potential underwriter(s) in such notice with contact information for such underwriter(s) and (2) the Company shall cooperate with such requesting Holder or Holders to the extent it is reasonably able and shall not be required to give notice thereof to other Holders of Registrable Securities or permit their participation therein unless reasonably practicable. Any Block Trade shall be for at least $10 million in expected gross proceeds. The Company shall not be required to effectuate more than three Block Trades in any 90 day period.”

(ii)
Section 4(b) of the Registration Rights Agreement shall be amended and restated as follows:




“(b) The Company. In connection with any Shelf Takedown that is underwritten, the Company shall not effect any public sale or distribution of its equity securities, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities (except pursuant to registrations on Form S-8 or Form S-4 under the Securities Act), during (i) the seven (7) days prior to (except in the case of a Block Trade) and (ii) the 90-day period (45-day period in the case of a Block Trade); provided that the Company shall not be restricted from effecting any sale or distribution for more than 90 days in any 180 day period beginning on the date of pricing of such Shelf Takedown unless a shorter time is agreed to by the managing underwriter or underwriters of such Shelf Takedown. Section 2(d) and Section 2(e)(i) shall not apply with respect to Block Trades.”
This Amendment shall otherwise be governed by the Registration Rights Agreement.



2



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment No. 1 as of the date first written above.
 
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By: /s/ Richard R. Dykhouse
Its: Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary




                                                              


3



AP CHARTER HOLDINGS (SUB II), LLC
By: /s/ Darren Glatt
Name: Darren Glatt
Title: Vice President






                                                                                                                                 



4



RED BIRD, L.P.
By: Red Bird GP, Ltd.,
its General Partner
By: Apollo SVF Management, L.P.,
its Director
By: Apollo SVF Management GP, LLC,
its General Partner

By: /s/ Laurie Medley
Name: Laurie Medley
Title: Vice President


GREEN BIRD, L.P.
By: Green Bird GP, Ltd.,
its General Partner
By: Apollo Value Management, L.P.,
its Director
By: Apollo Value Management GP, LLC,
its General Partner

By: /s/ Laurie Medley
Name: Laurie Medley
Title: Vice President



5



APOLLO SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES MANAGED ACCOUNT, L.P.
By: Apollo SOMA Advisors, L.P.,
its General Partner
By: Apollo SOMA Capital Management, LLC
its General Partner

By: /s/ Laurie Medley
Name: Laurie Medley
Title: Vice President



6



OAKTREE OPPORTUNITIES INVESTMENTS, L.P.
By: Oaktree Fund GP, LLC
its General Partner
By: Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P.
its Managing Member

By: /s/ Richard Ting
Name: Richard Ting
Title: Authorized Signatory

By: /s/ Lisa Arakaki
Name: Lisa Arakaki
Title: Authorized Signatory



7



ENCORE, LLC

By: /s/ Barry S. Volpert
Name: Barry S. Volpert
Title: Chief Executive Officer

ENCORE II, LLC

By: /s/ Barry S. Volpert
Name: Barry S. Volpert
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 


8



NEW YORK RELOCATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

This NEW YORK RELOCATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE (“Agreement”) is made and entered into, by and between CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (“Charter”) and Christopher Winfrey (“Employee”) as a condition to receiving the Relocation Incentive and the relocation benefits described in the Charter New York Relocation Program, as well as for the purpose of settling all claims arising out of or in any way related to Employee's employment with Charter as of the date on which this Agreement is fully executed.

In consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are expressly acknowledged, the parties agree and promise as follows:
    
1.
Relocation Incentive. Upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth below, Employee will receive a lump-sum cash payment in the amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($250,000.00), less all applicable taxes and withholdings required under local, state, and federal law (“Relocation Incentive”). The Relocation Incentive will be paid to Employee by direct deposit in the bank account designated by Employee, as soon as administratively possible after each of the following conditions has been met:

a.
Employee has indicated in writing his acceptance of Charter's offer to relocate to its New York metropolitan office.

b.
Employee has signed this Agreement and has not revoked it during the seven (7) day revocation period described in Section 9 of this Agreement.

c.
Employee has closed on the purchase of his primary residence in the New York metropolitan area or Employee has closed on the sale of his current primary residence, whichever occurs earlier.

d.
Employee remains employed by Charter in good standing, which means that Employee must (i) perform his job duties at a level and in a manner that meets Charter's legitimate expectations and (ii) comply with Charter's policies and Code of Conduct.

2.
The Charter New York Relocation Program. Upon acceptance of Charter's offer to relocate to its newly-established New York metropolitan office, Employee shall be eligible for the benefits described in the Charter New York Relocation Program, as described on Exhibit B to Employee's Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated and to be effective as of August 31, 2012.



 
1  of 4
Employee's Initials__________



3.
Full Release. In exchange for the promises and commitments expressed herein, Employee agrees to waive, release, and forever resolve all claims, demands or causes of action arising out of, relating to, or touching or concerning his employment with Charter, including but not limited to all claims, demands or causes of action for invasion of privacy, slander, defamation, intentional interference with a contract or business relation, promotion, retaliation, discharge, backpay, unpaid wages, reimbursement of expenses, employment benefits, liquidated damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, statutory penalties, attorneys' fees and costs against Charter, its officers, directors, shareholders, employees and/or agents, successors, subsidiaries, parents, assigns, representatives, attorneys, related or affiliated companies, insureds, and insurers and including, but not limited to, all claims, demands or causes of action arising under (1) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA); (2) the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; (3) the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); (4) the Equal Pay Act (EPA); (5) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (except as to vested retirement benefits); (6) the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (42 U.S.C. §§ 1981 and 1981A); (7) the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA); (8) the Civil Rights Act of 1991; (9) COBRA (except as to any vested benefits); (10) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA); (11) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (12) Executive Order 11246; (13) the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA); (14) the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA); (15) unemployment compensation laws; (16) workers' compensation laws; (17) any other federal, state, or local statute, ordinance, or regulation; and (18) any state or federal contractual, tort, or common law theory of liability or damages.

4.
Covenant Not to Sue. Employee covenants and agrees that he will not bring, commence, institute, maintain, prosecute, or voluntarily aid or encourage any action or proceeding or otherwise prosecute or sue Charter either affirmatively or by way of cross-complaint, defense or counterclaim, or in any other manner with respect to the claims herein released and/or waived. Employee likewise agrees to forfeit any benefit which may accrue to him as a result of any pending employment-related action against Charter.

The foregoing shall be construed as a covenant not to sue. This Agreement may be introduced as evidence at any legal proceeding as a complete defense to any claims existing as of the date of this Agreement ever asserted by Employee against Charter, as well as its past, present, and future officers, directors, administrators, shareholders, employees, agents, successors, subsidiaries, parents, assigns, representatives, attorneys, related or affiliated companies, insureds, and insurers, all of whom this Agreement and the release contained herein is specifically intended to include. This covenant not to sue shall not be construed to pertain to alleged misconduct that occurs after the effective date of this Agreement.

5.
Repayment Obligation.

a.
In the event Employee's employment is terminated due to Employee's voluntary resignation or discharge for Cause (as such term is defined in Employee's employment agreement with Charter) within one (1) calendar year after the date on


 
2  of 4
Employee's Initials__________



which Employee initiates relocation to Charter's New York metropolitan office by engaging Charter's designated relocation vendor, Employee must repay to Charter:

i.
Any and all relocation and moving expenses paid directly by Charter as specified in the New York Relocation Program; and

ii.
Any and all relocation and moving expenses for which Employee was reimbursed by Charter as specified in the New York Relocation Program.

b.
In the event Employee's employment is terminated due to Employee's voluntary resignation or for Cause within twenty-four (24) months of Employee's relocation to Charter's New York metropolitan office, Employee must repay to Charter a pro-rated portion of the Relocation Incentive.

c.
Any Relocation Incentive subject to repayment under this Agreement shall be calculated on a monthly pro-rata basis.

d.
Any tax gross-up of the Relocation Incentive or any benefit paid to Employee under the New York Relocation Program will be reversed or otherwise recovered.

e.
Employee acknowledges and agrees that Charter will withhold from Employee's final pay any amounts Employee is obligated to repay under this Agreement. By signing this Agreement, Employee authorizes Charter to deduct from Employee's final pay such amounts Charter has determined, in its sole discretion, Employee is obligated to repay under this Agreement.

6.
No Prior Assignment. Employee further warrants and covenants, recognizing that the truth of this warranty and covenant is material to the above consideration having passed, that he has not assigned, transferred or conveyed at any time to any individual or entity any alleged rights, claims or causes of action against Charter.

7.
No Admission of Liability. This Agreement is not and shall not be construed to be an admission of any liability whatsoever on the part of Charter. Further, Charter denies any and all liability or fault for any matter related to Employee's employment.

8.
Warranty of Understanding, Capacity, No Duress. Employee states that he has fully read this Agreement, which he acknowledges to be written in terms which he easily understands. Employee warrants that he understands all the terms and conditions set forth herein. Employee further stipulates that he is of sound mind and mental state, and that he is entering into this Agreement freely and voluntarily of his own choice, after consultation with counsel, without duress, and without promise or benefit other than as set forth herein.

Employee understands and acknowledges that he was advised by Charter to carefully consider all of the terms set forth in this Agreement before signing it. Employee further


 
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Employee's Initials__________



understands and acknowledges that Charter advised him that he has twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement, sign it, and return it to Charter. Employee waives any right he might have to additional time within which to consider this Agreement. Employee also understands that he may discuss this Agreement with an attorney at his own expense and that he may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days after signing it.

9.
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed, where appropriate, by federal law and the laws of the State of Missouri.

10.
Severability. If any term, provision, covenant, or condition of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall be in no way affected, impaired, or invalidated.

11.
Agreement as to Enforcement. If court proceedings are necessary to enforce any provision of this Agreement, the parties agree and acknowledge that the non-breaching party shall be entitled to injunctive relief, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, as well as any and all other damages provided by law.

12.
Integration. This Agreement constitutes the complete understanding between the parties and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous representations, promises, inducements, understandings, and agreements as it relates to the relocation to the New York metro area. This Agreement may not be amended except by a written instrument signed by all of the parties hereto.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have set their hands and seals, or caused their duly authorized agent to set their hand and seal, on the day and year written below.

                            
 
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
 
    /s/ Christopher Winfrey
  /s/ Richard R. Dykhouse
Christopher Winfrey     
Richard R. Dykhouse
 
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
 
Corporate Secretary
 
 
10/23/2012
10/23/2012
Date
Date
 
 

                
                
                            
            
                        
    



 
4  of 4
Employee's Initials__________


EXECUTION COPY



SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
FOR STEVEN E. APODACA

This Separation Agreement and Release (this "Agreement") is entered into between Charter Communications, Inc. (the "Company" or "Charter") and me, Steven E. Apodaca, as a condition to my receiving payments pursuant to my Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Charter dated March 1, 2010 (the "Employment Agreement"), in connection with my separation from the Company, as of August 3, 2012 (the "Termination Date"). The Company and I hereby agree as follows:

(a)      Payments And Benefits Payable Per The Employment Agreement : Provided I am not terminated for breach of the terms of this Agreement or of my Employment Agreement prior thereto, I shall remain employed by Charter pursuant to the terms of my Employment Agreement through the Termination Date, and I shall receive salary at my current annual rate of $386,250 in bi-weekly installments as such installments are normally paid to senior executives (with all salary installments due but not paid prior to my execution of this Agreement to be paid on the first payday after all conditions in Section 15(g) of the Employment Agreement are satisfied); I shall continue to receive all benefits, without interruption, including, without limitation, health insurance; and I shall continue to participate in all medical and child-care flex spending accounts I have previously selected, all through the Termination Date. In addition, in exchange for my execution and delivery of this Agreement, specifically including the effectiveness of the release set forth in section "b" hereof (and the failure to revoke the same within seven (7) days after I sign and deliver it), the Company will provide me with the following payments and benefits in satisfaction of the requirements of Section 15(b) of the Employment Agreement and any other claim I may hold against Charter or its employees:

(i)      An amount equal to one times (a) my current base salary, calculated at the current annual rate of $386,250.00 per annum, and (b) my annual target bonus of $251,063.00, from the date my employment is terminated through August 3, 2013 (the "Separation Term"); provided that, the total of such payment shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the gross amount of $637,313.00, which total amount shall be payable following the Termination Date in twenty-six (26) equal bi-weekly installments in accordance with the Company's normal payroll practices;

(ii)      All reasonable expenses I have incurred in the pursuit of my duties under the Employment Agreement through the Termination Date which are payable under and in accordance with the Employment Agreement, which amount will be paid within thirty (30) days after the submission by me of properly completed reimbursement requests on the Company's standard forms;

(iii)      A lump sum payment (net after deduction of taxes and other required withholdings) equal to twelve (12) times the monthly cost, at the time my employment is terminated of $970.35, for me to receive under COBRA the paid coverage for health,

1



dental and vision benefits then being provided for me and my family at the Company's cost at the time my employment is terminated, the total amount of such payment shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the net amount of $11,644.16. This amount will be paid to me within thirty (30) days of the time the payment in section (a)(i) above begins and will be grossed up for tax purposes at the time of payment. I understand that I must make an election under COBRA in order to have my benefits continue, and that I will pay any respective premiums as required by such coverage;

(iv)      Restricted stock awards representing 10,182 shares of Class A common stock of the Company for the emergence grant of restricted stock effective December 1, 2009 shall vest on November 30, 2012;

(v)      The pro rata portion of the unvested 15,000 options to purchase Class A common stock of the Company granted in July 2010 equal to 3,164 options shall vest and become exercisable pursuant to the terms of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (“Plan”) and the applicable award agreement;

(vi)      A pro rata portion of the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 unvested, time-vesting options to purchase Class A common stock of the Company granted in April 2011 equal to 882 Tranche 1 options and 1,923 Tranche 2 options shall vest and become exercisable pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreement;
 
(vii)      A pro rata portion of the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 unvested, price-vesting options to purchase Class A common stock of the Company granted in April 2011 equal to 6,427 Tranche 1 options and 4,487 Tranche 2 options will remain eligible for vesting based on the price hurdles (Tranche 1 divided equally between $80 and $100 price hurdles, and Tranche 2 divided equally among $60, $80, and $100 price hurdles) pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreement;

(viii)      A pro rata portion of the unvested amount of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) granted in December 2011 equal to 634 RSUs shall vest on the Termination Date;

(ix)      The Company will provide, at its expense, the full cost of up to twelve (12) months, to the extent necessary, of executive-level out-placement services (which provides as part of the outplacement the use of an office and secretarial support as near as reasonably practicable to my residence) during the Separation Term. The costs of out-placement services are to be submitted to the Company and will be paid directly to the vendor by the Company; and

(x)      A cash payout of any remaining hours of accrued and unused vacation calculated as of the Termination Date at my rate of base salary in effect as of the Termination Date, payable in accordance with the applicable vacation program, within thirty (30) days of the time the payment in section (a)(i) begins.

All vested options to purchase Class A common stock of the Company are exercisable by me in accordance with the Plan and the applicable award agreements at prices set forth therein.

2




These payments and benefits will be paid and/or provided as and when called for by the Employment Agreement, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, after all conditions to the effectiveness of this Agreement and the releases called for by this Agreement have been satisfied. The right to retain the same shall be subject to compliance with this Agreement and the terms of the Employment Agreement. In the event I die before all payments and amounts due to me hereunder are paid, any remaining payments will be made to my spouse, if she survives me and, if not, then to my estate.

(b)      Complete Release : I hereby understand and agree to the termination of all offices, directorships, manager positions and other similar offices I hold with Charter or any of its subsidiaries or related or affiliated corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships and all employment by Charter effective the close of business on the Termination Date. In consideration for the payments I am to receive hereunder, I unconditionally and irrevocably release, waive and give up any and all known and unknown claims, lawsuits and causes of action, if any, that I now may have or hold against Charter, its current and former parents, plans, subsidiaries, and related or affiliated corporations, ventures, limited liability companies and partnerships, and their respective current and former employees, directors, fiduciaries, administrators, insurers, members, managers, partners, and agents and related parties, in any way arising out of, in connection with or based upon (i) any event or fact that has occurred prior to the date I sign this Agreement, (ii) my employment with Charter and/or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to date and any event or occurrence occurring during such employment, (iii) the termination of my employment, (iv) the Employment Agreement (except as provided herein), (v) any claim to payment under or from the Value Creation Plan or for salary, bonus, stock options or restricted shares, or performance or restricted cash awards, other than as specifically granted pursuant to this Agreement; or (vi) any decision, promise, agreement, statement, policy, practice, act or conduct prior to this date of or by any person or entity I am releasing, and from any claims or lawsuits. I understand that this means that, subject to the limitations described below, I am releasing Charter and such other persons and entities from, and may not bring claims against any of them under (a) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Sections 1981 and 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, or sex; (b) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which prohibits discrimination based on age; (c) the Equal Pay Act, which prohibits paying men and women unequal pay for equal work; (d) the Americans with Disabilities Act and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination based on disability; (e) the WARN Act, which requires that advance notice be given of certain workforce reductions; (f) the Missouri Human Rights Act, chapter 213, R.S. Mo., which prohibits discrimination in employment, including but not limited to discrimination and retaliation based on race, gender, national origin, religion, age and disability; (g) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which among other things, protects employee benefits; (h) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which requires employers to provide leaves of absence under certain circumstances; (i) the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which, among other things, provides whistleblower protection; (j) any federal or state law, regulation, decision, or executive order prohibiting discrimination or retaliation for breach of contract; (k) any of the laws of the State of Missouri or any political subdivision of such State; (l) any law prohibiting retaliation based on exercise of my rights under any law,

3



providing whistleblowers protection, providing workers' compensation benefits, protecting union activity, mandating leaves of absence, prohibiting discrimination based on veteran status or military service, restricting an employer's right to terminate employees or otherwise regulating employment, enforcing express or implied employment contracts, requiring an employer to deal with employees fairly or in good faith, providing recourse for alleged wrongful discharge, tort, physical or personal injury, emotional distress, fraud, negligent or other misrepresentation, defamation, and similar or related claims, and any other law relating to salary, commission, compensation, benefits, and other matters. I specifically represent and agree that I have not been treated adversely on account of age, gender or other legally protected classification, nor have I otherwise been treated wrongfully in connection with my employment with the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and that I have no basis for a claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or any applicable law prohibiting employment or other discrimination or retaliation. I acknowledge that the Company relied on the representations and promises in this Agreement in agreeing to pay me the benefits described in subsection (a). I understand that I am releasing claims for events that have occurred prior to my signing this Agreement that I may not know about. This release does not include claims arising after the date I sign this Agreement, any claim under a stock option plan or award agreement, incentive stock plan, or restricted stock award agreement based upon my service to and ending on the date my employment terminates, any claim under a group health insurance plan in which I participate for claims accrued as of the date my employment terminated, a breach of the provisions of this Agreement (including but not limited to a breach of any obligation to provide me with the payments and benefits called for by Sections 15(b) of the Employment Agreement, as specified in paragraph (a) above) and any pending claims for workers compensation that have already been filed or for on-the-job injuries that have already been reported, or any claim for indemnification by Charter for actions taken by me within the course and scope of my employment to the degree such actions are subject to indemnification under Charter's policies and practices.

Charter hereby represents and warrants that, to the best current knowledge of its Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel, Charter has no claim against me for breach of my Employment Agreement, any other agreement, duty, or obligation, or any other claim of material liability.

(c)      Promise Not to File Claims : I promise never to file, prosecute or pursue any lawsuit based on a claim purportedly released by this Agreement, or (absent court order) to assist others in filing or prosecuting similar claims against Charter. I understand and agree that nothing in this Agreement precludes me from filing a charge of discrimination under applicable federal or state law, although I have personally released such claims with regard to matters and facts occurring prior to this date. I specifically acknowledge and agree that I am not entitled to severance or any other benefits under the Charter Communications Special One-Time Severance Plan or other severance plan or contract, or to any payments following termination of my employment under or by reason of the Employment Agreement (other than the payments and benefits called for by Section l5(b) of the Employment Agreement, as specified in paragraph (a) above), and that the payments and benefits described in this Agreement are in lieu of any severance or other benefits to which I may

4



be entitled under such plan or any other policy, program, plan or agreement and satisfy and are in lieu of any payments to which I may be entitled under the Employment Agreement or any other such plan, policy, program or arrangement, and I specifically waive any rights I may have under that plan and any such agreement, if any.

(d)      Non-admission of Liability : This Agreement is not an admission of fault, liability or wrongdoing by me or any released party, and should not be interpreted or construed as such I understand that all released parties specifically deny engaging in any liability or wrongdoing.

(e)      Non-Disparagement : Neither Charter nor I will make any statement or announcement concerning my departure from Charter except as may be reviewed and approved by the other party in advance; provided that , both Charter and I may inform third parties that my employment will terminate or was terminated (as the case may be) through mutual agreement on the Termination Date. During the balance of and subsequent to my employment with Charter and/or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, I agree not to criticize, denigrate, disparage, or make any derogatory statements about the Company (including any subsidiaries, or affiliates), its business plans, policies and practices, or about any of its officers, employees or former officers or employees, to customers, competitors, suppliers, employees, former employees, members of the public (including but not limited to in any internet publication, posting, message board or weblog), members of the media, or any other person, nor shall I take any action reasonably expected to harm or in any way adversely affect the reputation and goodwill of the Company. During the balance of and subsequent to my employment with Charter and/or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, Charter agrees, for itself, its directors and executive employees not to criticize, denigrate, disparage, or make any derogatory statements about me to customers, competitors, suppliers, employees, former employees, members of the public (including but not limited to in any internet publication, posting, message board or weblog), members of the media, or any other person, nor shall Charter, its directors, employees, or agents, take any action reasonably expected to harm or in any way adversely affect my reputation. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent anyone from giving truthful testimony or information to law enforcement entities, administrative agencies or courts or in any other legal proceedings as required by law, including, but not limited to, assisting in an investigation or proceeding brought by any governmental or regulatory body or official related to alleged violations of any law relating to fraud or any rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(f)      Future Cooperation : I agree to make myself reasonably available by telephone, e-mail or in person to meet and speak with representatives of Charter regarding events, omissions or other matters occurring during my employment with Charter of which I have personal knowledge or involvement that give rise or may give rise to a legal claim against Charter. I also shall reasonably cooperate with Charter in the defense of such claims, provided that, the requirement for such cooperation with Charter shall terminate seven years from the date of the identification of any such claim or claims. To the fullest extent possible, Charter shall schedule any telephone conferences or meetings with me for places near my residence and at times outside my normal work schedule and shall take all other reasonable measures to ensure that my schedule is disrupted to the least extent possible. To the fullest extent possible, Charter will seek to avoid having me travel to locations outside the metropolitan area within which I reside. If the Company requires me to travel outside the metropolitan area in the United States

5



where I then reside to provide any testimony or otherwise provide any such assistance, then Charter will reimburse me for any reasonable, ordinary and necessary travel and lodging expenses incurred by me to do so, provided I submit all documentation required under Charter's standard travel expense reimbursement policies and as otherwise may be required to satisfy any requirements under applicable tax laws for Charter to deduct those expenses. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted as requiring me to provide any testimony, sworn statement or declaration that is not complete and truthful.

(g)      Confidential and Proprietary Information; Covenant Not To Compete : I reaffirm my obligations under and agree to remain bound by and to comply with the provisions of Sections 17, 18 and 19 of my Employment Agreement with Charter, and agree those provisions continue to apply to me, notwithstanding the termination of my employment, the reason for termination of employment, or any act, promise, decision, fact or conduct occurring prior to this date. The "Restricted Period" for purposes of Section 19 of my Employment Agreement shall start for all purposes on the Termination Date and shall end (a) for (and solely for) the purposes of Section 19(b)(i) and (ii) of the Employment Agreement, on the second anniversary of the Termination Date, and (b) for (and solely for) the purposes of section 19(b)(iii) of the Employment Agreement, on the first anniversary of the Termination Date.

(h)      Consideration of Agreement : The Company advised me to take this Agreement home, read it, and carefully consider all of its terms before signing it. The Company gave me, and I understand that I have, 21 days in which to consider this Agreement, sign it and return it to the Company. I waive any right I might have to additional time within which to consider this Agreement. I understand that I may discuss this Agreement with an attorney, at my own expense during this period, and I understand that I may revoke this Agreement within 7 days after I sign it by advising Richard R. Dykhouse, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, orally or in writing within that seven (7) day time period of my intention to revoke this Agreement. I have carefully read this Agreement, I fully understand what it means, and I am entering into it voluntarily. I am receiving valuable consideration in exchange for my execution of this Agreement that I would not otherwise be entitled to receive, consisting of the benefits described in Paragraph (a) of this Agreement. If I revoke my acceptance of this Agreement within such 7 day time period, or if I fail to accept this Agreement within the 21-day period, then Charter shall have no obligations under this Agreement, including but not limited to any obligation to pay or provide the payments specified in this Agreement or under the Employment Agreement as provided herein. I further understand that I cannot sign this Agreement prior to the Termination Date, or it will not be effective.

(i)      Return of Property : I will return to the Company on or prior to the Termination Date all files, memoranda, documents, records, credit cards, keys, equipment, badges, phones, vehicles, Confidential Information (as defined in the Employment Agreement) and any other property of the Company then in my possession or control as directed by the Company; provided that, I hereby represent and warrant that I have not, and agree that I will not, make any copies of Company files residing on my laptop computer or other equipment accessible to me. I also will reveal to the Company at the Company's request all access codes to any computer or other program or equipment.

6



(j)      Choice of Law : This Agreement was drafted in Missouri, and the Company's Corporate offices are in Missouri. This Agreement is to be governed by and interpreted according to the internal laws of the State of Missouri without reference to conflicts of law principles, and this Agreement shall be deemed to have been accepted and entered into in the State of Missouri.

(k)      Amendment, Miscellaneous : Neither this Agreement nor any of its terms may be amended, changed, waived or added to except in a writing signed by both parties. The Company has made no representations or promises to me to sign this Agreement, other than those in or referred to by this Agreement. If any provision in this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, all other provisions will remain fully enforceable.

(l)      Indemnification : Charter reaffirms its obligations under and agrees to remain bound by and to comply with the provision of Section 24 of the Employment Agreement and the provisions of Sections 2 through 20, inclusive, of that certain “Indemnification Agreement” dated December 1, 2009 between me and Charter.

(m)      Notices : Any written notice required by this Agreement will be deemed provided and delivered to the intended recipient when (a) delivered in person by hand; or (b) three days after being sent via U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested; or (c) the day after being sent via overnight courier, in each case when such notice is properly addressed to the following address and with all postage and similar fees having been paid in advance:
If to the Company:
Charter Communications, Inc.
 
Attn.: Richard R. Dykhouse, Senior Vice
 
           President, General Counsel and Corporate
 
           Secretary
 
12405 Powerscourt Drive
 
St. Louis, MO 63131
 
 
If to me:
At my personal address on file in the Company's
 
 records.

Either party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands and other communications to such party shall be delivered personally or mailed by giving written notice to the other party in the manner described above.

This Agreement was originally presented to me on the date set forth below. I have been advised to read it and carefully consider all of its provisions before signing it. I will have 21 days in which to consider it, sign it and return it to Rick Dykhouse. To accept this Agreement, I understand that it must be signed and returned to Rick Dykhouse on or after the Termination Date.

7




THIS AGREEMENT AND RELEASE IS NOT VALID IF EXECUTED PRIOR TO AUGUST 3, 2012.

I have carefully read this Agreement, I fully understand what it means, and I am entering into it voluntarily.

Presented By :

Name: /s/ Abby Pfeiffer

Date Delivered: July 3, 2012


Employee :


Signature: /s/ Steven E. Apodaca
Date Signed: August 3, 2012
Printed Name: Steven E. Apodaca


Company :


Signature: /s/ Abby Pfeiffer
Date Signed: August 3, 2012
Printed Name: Abby Pfeiffer, SVP Human Resources





Please Return to :

Richard R. Dykhouse
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Charter Communications, Inc.
12405 Powerscourt Drive
St. Louis, MO 63131
314-543-2407 (Telephone)
314-965-8793 (Facsimile)




8


Exhibit 12.1
 
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES CALCULATION
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss before Income Taxes
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(13
)
 
$
(56
)
 
$
(70
)
Fixed Charges
 
231

 
246

 
697

 
724

Total Earnings
 
$
213

 
$
233

 
$
641

 
$
654

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Charges
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 
$
224

 
$
234

 
$
671

 
$
690

Amortization of Debt Costs
 
5

 
10

 
20

 
28

Interest Element of Rentals
 
2

 
2

 
6

 
6

Total Fixed Charges
 
$
231

 
$
246

 
$
697

 
$
724

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1)
 

 

 

 


(1)
Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $18 million and $56 million , respectively. Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $13 million and $70 million , respectively. As a result of such deficiencies, the ratios are not presented above.




Exhibit 31.1

I, Thomas M. Rutledge, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 6, 2012
/s/ Thomas M. Rutledge
Thomas M. Rutledge
President and Chief Executive Officer




Exhibit 31.2
I, Christopher L. Winfrey, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: November 6, 2012
/s/ Christopher L. Winfrey
Christopher L. Winfrey
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)



Exhibit 32.1


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER REGARDING PERIODIC REPORT CONTAINING
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

I, Thomas M. Rutledge, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Charter Communications, Inc. (the "Company") in compliance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, hereby certify that, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012 (the "Report") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:
fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


/s/ Thomas M. Rutledge
Thomas M. Rutledge
President and Chief Executive Officer
November 6, 2012


Exhibit 32.2


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL
OFFICER REGARDING PERIODIC REPORT CONTAINING
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

I, Christopher L. Winfrey, the Chief Financial Officer of Charter Communications, Inc. (the "Company"), in compliance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, hereby certify that, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012 (the "Report") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:
fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


/s/ Christopher L. Winfrey
Christopher L. Winfrey
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
November 6, 2012