Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C.  20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
ý            QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
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 001-34176
ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
State of Delaware
 
26-2735737
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
 
5251 DTC Parkway, Suite 1000
 
 
Greenwood Village, Colorado
 
80111
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 628-5600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Series A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
 
ASCMA
 
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
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 ý   No  o
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes  ý   No  o
 Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer  o
 
Accelerated filer  o
Non-accelerated filer  x
 
Smaller reporting company  x
 
 
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  o No  ý
The number of outstanding shares of Ascent Capital Group, Inc.’s common stock as of May 1, 2019 was:
Series A common stock 12,108,012 shares; and Series B common stock 381,528 shares.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1

Table of Contents

Item 1 .   Financial Statements (unaudited)
ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Amounts in thousands, except share amounts
(unaudited)
 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
76,300

 
105,921

Restricted cash
118

 
189

Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,239 in 2019 and $3,759 in 2018
12,438

 
13,121

Prepaid and other current assets
35,018

 
32,202

Total current assets
123,874

 
151,433

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $43,985 in 2019 and $40,827 in 2018
37,160

 
36,549

Subscriber accounts and deferred contract acquisition costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,670,228 in 2019 and $1,621,242 in 2018
1,176,776

 
1,195,463

Deferred income tax asset, net
783

 
783

Operating lease right-of-use asset
19,840

 

Other assets
25,615

 
29,316

Total assets
$
1,384,048

 
1,413,544

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
13,083

 
12,668

Other accrued liabilities
49,653

 
36,006

Deferred revenue
12,698

 
13,060

Holdback liability
12,041

 
11,513

Current portion of long-term debt
1,859,109

 
1,895,175

Total current liabilities
1,946,584

 
1,968,422

Non-current liabilities:
 

 
 

Long-term holdback liability
1,979

 
1,770

Derivative financial instruments
9,287

 
6,039

Operating lease liabilities
16,567

 

Other liabilities
2,912

 
2,742

Total liabilities
1,977,329

 
1,978,973

Commitments and contingencies


 


Stockholders’ deficit:
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued

 

Series A common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 45,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 12,092,846 and 12,080,683 shares at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively
121

 
121

Series B common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 381,528 shares at both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018
4

 
4

Series C common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 45,000,000 shares; no shares issued

 

Additional paid-in capital
1,425,780

 
1,425,325

Accumulated deficit
(2,026,326
)
 
(1,998,487
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
7,140

 
7,608

Total stockholders’ deficit
(593,281
)
 
(565,429
)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
$
1,384,048

 
1,413,544

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

Table of Contents

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts
(unaudited)  
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Net revenue
$
129,606

 
133,753

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
Cost of services
26,764

 
32,701

Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation
32,512

 
37,406

Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets
49,145

 
54,411

Depreciation
3,158

 
2,621

 
111,579

 
127,139

Operating income
18,027

 
6,614

Other expense (income), net:
 
 
 
Interest income
(544
)
 
(481
)
Interest expense
37,894

 
38,652

Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments
7,773

 

Refinancing expense
331

 

Other income, net
(259
)
 
(2,065
)
 
45,195

 
36,106

Loss before income taxes
(27,168
)
 
(29,492
)
Income tax expense
671

 
1,346

Net loss
(27,839
)
 
(30,838
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities, net

 
(3,077
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net
(468
)
 
14,406

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(468
)
 
11,329

Comprehensive loss
$
(28,307
)
 
(19,509
)
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted loss per share:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(2.24
)
 
(2.51
)
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Amounts in thousands
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(27,839
)
 
(30,838
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets
49,145

 
54,411

Depreciation
3,158

 
2,621

Stock-based and long-term incentive compensation
805

 
226

Deferred income tax expense

 
662

Amortization of debt discount and deferred debt costs
150

 
2,959

Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments
7,773

 

Refinancing expense
331

 

Bad debt expense
3,335

 
3,017

Other non-cash activity, net
(264
)
 
41

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Trade receivables
(2,652
)
 
(2,672
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
3,428

 
781

Subscriber accounts - deferred contract acquisition costs
(863
)
 
(898
)
Payables and other liabilities
11,306

 
17,644

Net cash provided by operating activities
47,813

 
47,954

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(2,999
)
 
(3,310
)
Cost of subscriber accounts acquired
(28,850
)
 
(24,560
)
Purchases of marketable securities

 
(7,998
)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities

 
5,495

Net cash used in investing activities
(31,849
)
 
(30,373
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from long-term debt
43,100

 
50,000

Payments on long-term debt
(79,316
)
 
(47,750
)
Payments of financing costs
(9,436
)
 

Value of shares withheld for share-based compensation
(4
)
 
(116
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(45,656
)
 
2,134

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(29,692
)
 
19,715

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
106,110

 
10,465

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
76,418

 
30,180

Supplemental cash flow information:
 

 
 

State taxes paid, net
$

 

Interest paid
25,886

 
22,920

Accrued capital expenditures
1,322

 
830

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Deficit
Amounts in thousands
(unaudited)
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
 
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Total Stockholders' Deficit
 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
 
 
Accumulated Deficit
 
 
 
 
Series A
 
Series B
 
Series C
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2018
$

 
121

 
4

 

 
1,425,325

 
(1,998,487
)
 
7,608

 
$
(565,429
)
Net loss

 

 

 

 

 
(27,839
)
 

 
(27,839
)
Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 
(468
)
 
(468
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 
459

 

 

 
459

Value of shares withheld for minimum tax liability

 

 

 

 
(4
)
 

 

 
(4
)
Balance at March 31, 2019
$

 
121

 
4

 

 
1,425,780

 
(2,026,326
)
 
7,140

 
$
(593,281
)
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
 
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Total Stockholders' Equity
 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
 
 
Accumulated Deficit
 
 
 
 
Series A
 
Series B
 
Series C
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
$

 
120

 
4

 

 
1,423,899

 
(1,277,118
)
 
(4,233
)
 
$
142,672

Impact of adoption of Topic 606

 

 

 

 

 
(22,720
)
 

 
(22,720
)
Impact of adoption of ASU 2017-12

 

 

 

 

 
(605
)
 
605

 

Adjusted balance at January 1, 2018

 
120

 
4

 

 
1,423,899

 
(1,300,443
)
 
(3,628
)
 
119,952

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 
(30,838
)
 

 
(30,838
)
Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 
11,329

 
11,329

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 
285

 

 

 
285

Value of shares withheld for minimum tax liability

 

 

 

 
(116
)
 

 

 
(116
)
Balance at March 31, 2018
$

 
120

 
4

 

 
1,424,068

 
(1,331,281
)
 
7,701

 
$
100,612


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(1)    Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying Ascent Capital Group, Inc. ("Ascent Capital" or the "Company") condensed consolidated financial statements represent the financial position and results of operations of Ascent Capital and its consolidated subsidiaries.  Monitronics International, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, "Monitronics", doing business as Brinks Home Security TM ), are the primary, wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.  Monitronics provides residential customers and commercial client accounts with monitored home and business security systems, as well as interactive and home automation services, in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  Monitronics customers are obtained through its direct-to-consumer sales channel (the "Direct to Consumer Channel") or its exclusive authorized dealer network (the "Dealer Channel"), which provides product and installation services, as well as support to customers. Its Direct to Consumer Channel offers both Do-It-Yourself and professional installation security solutions.

The Company's chief operating decision maker reviews internal financial information on a consolidated Monitronics basis, which excludes corporate Ascent Capital activities and consolidation eliminations not associated with the operation of Monitronics. Total assets related to corporate Ascent Capital activities are $53,132,000 and $107,815,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. Net income (loss) before income taxes related to corporate Ascent Capital activities was $3,932,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to $(4,631,000) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 .

The unaudited interim financial information of the Company has been prepared in accordance with Article 10 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the "SEC") Regulation S-X. Accordingly, it does not include all of the information required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") for complete financial statements. The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2019 , and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , include Ascent Capital and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Ascent Capital Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 , filed with the SEC on April 1, 2019 .

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for each reporting period.  The significant estimates made in preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements primarily relate to valuation of subscriber accounts and valuation of deferred tax assets. These estimates are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors and adjusts them when facts and circumstances change. As the effects of future events cannot be determined with any certainty, actual results could differ from the estimates upon which the carrying values were based.

Nasdaq Deficiency Notices

The Company’s Series A Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. As a Nasdaq listed company, the Company is required to satisfy Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements.

On November 26, 2018, the Company received a letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that the market value of publicly held shares of the Company’s Series A common stock (“MVPHS”) for the last 30 consecutive business days was less than $15 million, which is the minimum market value of publicly held shares (the “MVPHS Requirement”) necessary to qualify for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(3)(C). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(D), the Company has been provided 180 calendar days, or until May 28, 2019, to regain compliance with the MVPHS Requirement. To regain compliance, the Company’s MVPHS must be at least $15 million for at least ten consecutive business days during this 180-day period, at which point Nasdaq would provide written confirmation to the Company and close the matter. If the Company does not regain compliance within the 180-day compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice to the Company that its Series A common stock is subject to delisting.

In addition, on December 28, 2018, the Company received a letter (the “Minimum Bid Notice”) from Nasdaq indicating that the closing bid price of its Series A common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was less than $1.00, which is the minimum closing bid price (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”) necessary to qualify for continued listing on the Nasdaq

6


Global Select Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has been provided 180 calendar days, or until June 26, 2019, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. To regain compliance, the closing bid price of the Company’s Series A common stock must be at least $1.00 per share for at least ten consecutive business days during this 180-day period, at which point Nasdaq would provide written confirmation to the Company of compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement and close the matter. If the Company does not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by June 26, 2019, and the Nasdaq staff determines that it will not be able to cure the deficiency, or if it is not otherwise eligible for any additional compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice that its Series A common stock is subject to delisting.

While Nasdaq’s rules permit the Company to appeal any delisting determination, there can be no assurance the Nasdaq’s staff would grant its request for continued listing. Further, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the MVPHS requirement or the Minimum Bid Price Requirement or maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s other continued listing requirements. If the Series A common stock is not eligible to be listed on Nasdaq, the Company intends to apply to have the Series A common stock quoted on the OTC Market.

In addition, a delisting of our Series A Common Stock from Nasdaq would negatively impact the Company because it could, among other things: (i) reduce the liquidity and market price of the Company’s common stock; (ii) reduce the amount of news and analyst coverage for the Company; (iii) reduce the number of investors willing to hold or acquire the Company’s common stock, which could negatively impact its ability to raise equity financing and the ability of our shareholders to sell its common stock; (iv) limit the Company’s ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing it from accessing the public capital markets; (v) impair the Company’s ability to provide liquid equity incentives to its employees; and (vi) have negative reputational impact for the Company with its customers, suppliers, employees and other persons with whom it transacts from time to time.

(2)    Going Concern

The Company has substantial indebtedness at March 31, 2019 , including Monitronics' $585,000,000 principal of senior notes, maturing on April 1, 2020 (the "Senior Notes"), and its existing credit facility with a term loan in principal of $1,072,500,000 as of March 31, 2019 , maturing September 30, 2022, and a revolving credit facility with an outstanding balance of $181,400,000 as of March 31, 2019 , maturing September 30, 2021 (the term loan and the revolver, together, the "Credit Facility"). Ascent Capital has not guaranteed any of Monitronics' obligations under the Senior Notes and Credit Facility.

The maturity date for each of the term loan and the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility is subject to a springing maturity 181 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of the Senior Notes, or October 3, 2019, if Monitronics is unable to refinance the Senior Notes by that date. Furthermore, Monitronics received a going concern qualification in connection with its standalone external audit report of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2018, which constitutes a default under Monitronics’ Credit Facility (the "Going Concern Default"), and will report that its Consolidated Senior Secured Eligible RMR Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) exceeds the limits provided in the Credit Agreement for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 (the “Financial Covenant Default”), which constitutes an event of default under Monitronics’ Credit Facility. Any default under the Credit Facility may, upon the passage of time, mature into an event of default. At any time after the occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Facility, the lenders thereunder may, among other options, declare any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility immediately due and payable and the revolving loan lenders thereunder may terminate any commitment to make further loans under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility. Any such acceleration may constitute an event of default under the indenture governing the Senior Notes.

Additionally, in connection with management's negotiations with its creditors, Monitronics did not make its Senior Notes interest payment of $26,691,000 due on April 1, 2019. The indenture governing the Senior Notes provides for a 30 -day cure period on past due interest payments (the non-payment of the interest following the expiration of the 30 -day cure period, the "Senior Notes Default"). The 30 -day cure period under the indenture governing the Senior Notes has expired.

Monitronics obtained a waiver (as amended, the “Credit Facility Waiver”), from the required revolving lenders under the Credit Facility, which expired May 10, 2019, with respect to, among other things, the Going Concern Default and the Senior Notes Default, subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Facility Waiver. The Credit Facility Waiver obtained from the Credit Facility revolving loan lenders allowed Monitronics to continue to borrow under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility, up to $195,000,000 at an alternate base rate plus 3.00% . Monitronics is seeking to amend and extend the Credit Facility Waiver including a waiver with respect to the Financial Covenant Default and such discussions are ongoing.


7


Monitronics has obtained a forbearance, as amended, from the required term lenders under the Credit Facility, through May 15, 2019, with respect to, among other things, the Going Concern Default, the Senior Notes Default and the Financial Covenant Default, subject to the terms and conditions of the forbearance. The forbearance obtained from the Credit Facility term lenders provides that the term loan lenders will not exercise remedies with respect to an event of default that may occur from the Going Concern Default, the Senior Notes Default or the Financial Covenant Default. Despite the forbearance obtained from the Credit Facility term lenders, the Going Concern Default, the Senior Notes Default and the Financial Covenant Default, and any resulting event of default under the Credit Facility, are continuing, and will continue, absent a waiver from the required revolving and term loan lenders, as applicable.

Additionally, Monitronics has obtained a forbearance from the required holders of Senior Notes, through May 15, 2019, with respect to, among other things, the Senior Notes Default, subject to the terms and conditions of the forbearance. The forbearance obtained from the holders of Senior Notes provides, subject to the terms of the forbearance, that the holders of Senior Notes will not exercise remedies with respect to the Senior Notes Default.

Given these factors, management continues to conclude there is substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the issuance date of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 

Ascent Capital and Monitronics have engaged financial and legal advisors to assist them in considering potential alternatives to address the issues described above. As of the issuance date of these condensed consolidated financial statements, Monitronics has not refinanced the Senior Notes and there can be no assurance that any refinancing, or an alternative restructuring of its outstanding indebtedness will be possible on acceptable terms, if at all.

Monitronics’ failure to refinance the Senior Notes or to reach an agreement with its stakeholders on the terms of a restructuring would have a material adverse effect on its and our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations and may result in it filing a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in order to implement a restructuring plan.

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2019 have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.

(3)    Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued ASU 2016-02,  Leases (Topic 842)  ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 requires the lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than twelve months. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 using a modified retrospective approach at January 1, 2019, as outlined in ASU 2018-11,  Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. Under this method of adoption, there is no impact to the comparative condensed consolidated statements of operations and condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company determined that there was no cumulative effect adjustment to beginning Accumulated deficit on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company will continue to report periods prior to January 1, 2019 in its financial statements under prior guidance as outlined in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 840, "Leases". In addition, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed carry forward of historical lease classifications.

Adoption of this standard did not materially impact the Company's Loss before income taxes and had no impact on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Upon adoption as of January 1, 2019, the Company recognized an Operating lease right-of-use asset of $20,383,000 and a total Operating lease liability of $20,908,000 . The difference between the two amounts were due to decreases in prepaid rent and deferred rent recorded under prior lease accounting in Prepaid and other current assets and Other accrued liabilities, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See note 12, Leases , for further information.


8


(4)    Other Accrued Liabilities
 
Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):
 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
$
6,558

 
$
4,957

Interest payable
27,824

 
15,537

Income taxes payable
3,396

 
2,742

Operating lease liabilities
3,835

 

Other
8,040

 
12,770

Total Other accrued liabilities
$
49,653

 
$
36,006


(5)    Debt
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):
 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Ascent Capital 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2020 with an effective rate of 8.8%
$
20,209

 
$
90,725

Monitronics 9.125% Senior Notes due April 1, 2020 with an effective rate of 9.1%
585,000

 
585,000

Monitronics term loan, matures September 30, 2022, LIBOR plus 5.50%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, with an effective rate of 8.3%
1,072,500

 
1,075,250

Monitronics $295 million revolving credit facility, matures September 30, 2021, LIBOR plus 4.00%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, with an effective rate of 5.7%
181,400

 
144,200

 
1,859,109

 
1,895,175

Less current portion of long-term debt
(1,859,109
)
 
(1,895,175
)
Long-term debt
$

 
$


Ascent Capital Convertible Senior Notes
 
The Ascent Capital 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2020 (the "Convertible Notes") total $21,101,000 in aggregate principal amount, mature on July 15, 2020 and bear interest at 4.00% per annum. Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. On August 30, 2018, Ascent Capital entered into a Supplemental Indenture in which the Company surrendered its right to elect to deliver shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock upon conversion of the Convertible Notes (the "Convertible Notes Supplemental Indenture"). Following the execution of the Convertible Notes Supplemental Indenture, the Company may satisfy its conversion obligation solely in cash.

See note 1, Basis of Presentation , for information about the potential of a delisting of our Series A Common Stock from Nasdaq, which may accelerate the due date of the entire outstanding principal amount of, and any accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid additional interest on all the Convertible Notes, to be due and payable immediately. Given this potential, the outstanding debt of the Convertible Notes has been classified as Current portion of long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2019 .

On February 14, 2019, pursuant to the settlement of the Noteholder Action lawsuit (as described in note 10, Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities ), the Company repurchased and settled $75,674,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes. Ascent Capital paid to the Noteholder Parties (as defined below) an aggregate amount of $70,666,176.28 in cash (the "Convertible Note Cash Settlement"), consisting of (i) an aggregate of $6,104,720.92 for professional fees and expenses incurred on the Noteholder Parties’ behalf, (ii) an aggregate of $2,000,000.00 in consideration for the Noteholder Parties’ Consents, (iii) an aggregate of $10,808,555.36 in consideration for and in full and final satisfaction of the settled claims as set forth in the Settlement Agreement and (iv) an aggregate of $51,752,900.00 on account of the Note Repurchase (as defined below).

On February 19, 2019, the Company commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of the remaining outstanding Convertible Notes (the “Offer”). On March 22, 2019, the Company entered into transaction support agreements with holders of approximately $18,554,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes, pursuant to which the Company agreed to

9


increase the purchase price for the Convertible Notes in the Offer to $950 per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, with no accrued and unpaid interest to be payable (as so amended, the “Amended Offer”) and such holders agreed to tender, or cause to be tendered, into the Amended Offer all Convertible Notes held by such holders. The Amended Offer expired on March 29, 2019 and was settled on April 1, 2019. A total of $20,841,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes were accepted for payment pursuant to the Amended Offer.

Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Settlement Agreement and the consummation of the Amended Offer, $260,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes remain outstanding. The information in these condensed consolidated financial statements shall not constitute an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell the Convertible Notes or any other securities of the Company, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of such securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The Convertible Notes are presented on the consolidated balance sheet as follows (amounts in thousands):
 
As of
March 31,
2019
 
As of
December 31,
2018
Principal
$
21,101

 
$
96,775

Unamortized discount
(836
)
 
(5,666
)
Deferred debt costs
(56
)
 
(384
)
Carrying value
$
20,209

 
$
90,725

 
The Company amortized $150,000 of the Convertible Notes debt discount and deferred debt costs into interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , compared to $1,181,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 . The Company accelerated amortization of discount and deferred debt costs of $5,008,000 , which was accelerated due to repurchase of the Convertible Notes pursuant to the settlement of the Noteholder Action lawsuit. This acceleration resulted in the carrying value of the Convertible Notes settled in February 2019 to equal the Convertible Note Cash Settlement. For the remaining unamortized debt discount and deferred debt costs, the Company is using an effective interest rate of 14.0% to calculate the accretion of the debt discount, which is being recorded as interest expense over the expected remaining term to maturity of the Convertible Notes.  The Company recognized contractual interest expense of $316,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , compared to $968,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 .

Monitronics Senior Notes

The Monitronics Senior Notes total $ 585,000,000 in principal, mature on April 1, 2020 and bear interest at 9.125% per annum.  Interest payments are due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The Senior Notes are guaranteed by all of Monitronics' existing domestic subsidiaries.  Ascent Capital has not guaranteed any of Monitronics' obligations under the Senior Notes.

In connection with management’s negotiations with its creditors, Monitronics did not make its Senior Notes interest payment of $26,691,000 due on April 1, 2019. The indenture governing the Senior Notes provides for a 30 -day cure period on past due interest payments, which has expired, resulting in the Senior Notes Default. As such, the outstanding debt of the Senior Notes as of March 31, 2019 has been classified as Current portion of long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See note 2, Going Concern for further information.

Monitronics Credit Facility

On September 30, 2016, Monitronics entered into an amendment ("Amendment No. 6") with the lenders of its existing senior secured credit agreement dated March 23, 2012, and as amended and restated on April 9, 2015, February 17, 2015, August 16, 2013, March 25, 2013, and November 7, 2012 (the "Existing Credit Agreement"). Amendment No. 6 provided for, among other things, the issuance of a $1,100,000,000 senior secured term loan at a 1.5% discount and a new $ 295,000,000 super priority revolver (the Existing Credit Agreement together with Amendment No. 6, the "Credit Facility").

As of March 31, 2019 , the Credit Facility term loan has a principal amount of $ 1,072,500,000 , maturing on September 30, 2022. The term loan requires quarterly interest payments and quarterly principal payments of $2,750,000 . The term loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 5.5% , subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.0% . The Credit Facility revolver has a principal amount outstanding of $ 181,400,000 and an aggregate of $1,000,000 under two standby letters of credit issued as of March 31, 2019 , maturing on September 30, 2021. The Credit Facility revolver typically bears interest at LIBOR plus 4.0% , subject to a LIBOR

10


floor of 1.0% . There is a commitment fee of 0.5% on unused portions of the Credit Facility revolver. As discussed in note 2, Going Concern , Monitronics obtained the Credit Facility Waiver, which expired May 10, 2019, with respect to, among other things the Going Concern Default and the Senior Notes Default, subject to certain terms and conditions. The Credit Facility Waiver, among other things, allowed Monitronics to continue to borrow under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility for up to $195,000,000 at an alternate base rate plus 3.0% . Monitronics is seeking to amend and extend the Credit Facility Waiver including a waiver with respect to the Financial Covenant Default. However, there can be no assurance that Monitronics will receive such a waiver and therefore, there can be no assurance that Monitronics will have availability of additional borrowings under the Credit Facility revolver. See note 2, Going Concern for further information.

The maturity date for each of the term loan and the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility is subject to a springing maturity 181 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of the Senior Notes, or October 3, 2019, if Monitronics is unable to refinance the Senior Notes by that date. Furthermore, Monitronics was not in compliance with certain financial covenants under the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2019 . See note 2, Going Concern for further information.

Given the factors discussed above, the outstanding debt of the Credit Facility term loan and the Credit Facility revolver as of March 31, 2019 continues to be classified as Current portion of long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Credit Facility is secured by a pledge of all of the outstanding stock of Monitronics and all of its existing subsidiaries and is guaranteed by all of Monitronics' existing domestic subsidiaries.  Ascent Capital has not guaranteed any of Monitronics' obligations under the Credit Facility.
 
In order to reduce the financial risk related to changes in interest rates associated with the floating rate term loan under the Credit Facility term loan, Monitronics has entered into interest rate swap agreements with terms similar to the Credit Facility term loan (all outstanding interest rate swap agreements are collectively referred to as the “Swaps”). Prior to December of 2018, all of the Swaps were designated as effective hedges of Monitronics' variable rate debt and qualified for hedge accounting. However, in December of 2018, given the potential for changes in Monitronics' future expected interest payments that the Swap hedged, all of the Swaps no longer qualified as a cash flow hedge and were de-designated as such. As a result of these interest rate swaps, Monitronics' effective weighted average interest rate (excluding the impacts of non-cash amortization of deferred debt costs and discounts) on the borrowings under the Credit Facility term loan was 8.04% as of March 31, 2019 . In April of 2019, subsequent to March 31, 2019, all of the outstanding Swaps were settled and terminated with their respective counterparties. See note 6, Derivatives , for further disclosures related to the settlement of these derivative instruments. 

As of March 31, 2019 , principal payments scheduled to be made on the Company’s debt obligations, assuming certain accelerated maturities due to potential events of default and subsequent transactions, are as follows (amounts in thousands):
Remainder of 2019
$
1,860,001

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Thereafter

Total principal payments
1,860,001

Less:


Unamortized deferred debt costs, discounts and premium, net
892

Total debt on condensed consolidated balance sheet
$
1,859,109


(6)    Derivatives

Monitronics utilizes Swaps to reduce the interest rate risk inherent in Monitronics' variable rate Credit Facility term loan. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatility. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect the respective counterparty's nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. See note 7, Fair Value Measurements , for additional information about the credit valuation adjustments.


11


Prior to December of 2018, all of the Swaps were designated and qualified as cash flow hedging instruments, with the effective portion of the Swaps' change in fair value recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). However, in December of 2018, given the potential for changes in Monitronics' future expected interest payments that these Swaps hedged, all of the Swaps no longer qualified as a cash flow hedge and were de-designated as such. Before the de-designation, changes in the fair value of the Swaps were recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and were reclassified to Interest expense when the hedged interest payments on the underlying debt were recognized. After the de-designation, changes in the fair value of the Swaps are recognized in Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). For the three months ended March 31, 2019 , the Company recorded an Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments of $7,773,000 . Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of the de-designation date will be amortized to Interest expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) over the remaining term of the hedged forecasted transactions of the Swaps which were 3 month LIBOR interest payments. Amounts in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) expected to be recognized in Interest expense in the coming 12 months total approximately $2,005,000 .

As of March 31, 2019 , the Swaps’ outstanding notional balances, effective dates, maturity dates and interest rates paid and received are noted below:
Notional
 
Effective Date
 
Maturity Date
 
Fixed Rate Paid
 
Variable Rate Received
$
189,013,883

 
March 23, 2018
 
April 9, 2022 (a)
 
3.110%
 
3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
246,875,000

 
March 23, 2018
 
April 9, 2022 (a)
 
3.110%
 
3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
49,375,000

 
March 23, 2018
 
April 9, 2022 (a)
 
2.504%
 
3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
372,287,500

 
March 23, 2018
 
September 30, 2022 (a)
 
1.833%
 
3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
 
(a)          On April 30, 2019, the various counterparties and Monitronics agreed to settle and terminate all of the outstanding swap agreements, which required Monitronics to pay $8,767,000 in termination amount to certain counterparties and required a certain counterparty to pay $6,540,000 in termination amount to Monitronics.

The impact of the derivatives designated as cash flow hedges on the condensed consolidated financial statements is depicted below (amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Effective portion of gain recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
$

 
13,668

Effective portion of loss reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into Net loss (a)
$
(468
)
 
(738
)
 
(a)          Amounts are included in Interest expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

(7)    Fair Value Measurements
 
According to the FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement , fair value is defined as the amount that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants and requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in the following three categories:
 
Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active or inactive markets and valuations derived from models where all significant inputs are observable in active markets.
Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable in any market.


12


The following summarizes the fair value level of assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (amounts in thousands): 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
March 31, 2019
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate swap agreements - assets (a)
$

 
6,027

 

 
6,027

Interest rate swap agreements - liabilities (a)

 
(9,287
)
 

 
(9,287
)
Total
$

 
(3,260
)
 

 
(3,260
)
December 31, 2018
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate swap agreements - assets (a)
$

 
10,552

 

 
10,552

Interest rate swap agreements - liabilities (a)

 
(6,039
)
 

 
(6,039
)
Total
$

 
4,513

 

 
4,513

 
(a)
Swap asset values are included in non-current Other assets and Swap liability values are included in non-current Derivative financial instruments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company has determined that the significant inputs used to value the Swaps fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Carrying values and fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value are as follows (amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Long term debt, including current portion:
 

 
 

Carrying value
$
1,859,109

 
1,895,175

Fair value (a)
1,216,665

 
1,273,502

 
(a)  
The fair value is based on market quotations from third party financial institutions and is classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy.

Ascent Capital’s other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value because of their short-term maturity.

(8)    Stockholders’ Deficit
 
Common Stock
 
The following table presents the activity in Series A Common Stock and Ascent Capital's Series B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Series B Common Stock"), for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 :
 
Series A
Common Stock
 
Series B
Common Stock
Balance at December 31, 2018
12,080,683

 
381,528

Issuance of stock awards
19,624

 

Restricted stock canceled for tax withholding
(7,461
)
 

Balance at March 31, 2019
12,092,846

 
381,528

 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
11,999,630

 
381,528

Issuance of stock awards
13,153

 

Restricted stock canceled for tax withholding
(10,680
)
 

Balance at March 31, 2018
12,002,103

 
381,528



13


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
The following table provides a summary of the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 (amounts in thousands):
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
7,608

Reclassifications of unrealized loss on derivatives into Net loss, net of income tax of $0 (a)
(468
)
Balance at March 31, 2019
$
7,140

 
(a)
Amounts reclassified into Net loss are included in Interest expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  See note 6, Derivatives , for further information.

The following table provides a summary of the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (amounts in thousands):
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Unrealized
  Holding
  Gains and 
Losses on
Marketable
Securities, net (a)
 
Unrealized
  Gains and
Losses on
  Derivative
Instruments, net (b)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
(758
)
 
3,900

 
(7,375
)
 
(4,233
)
Impact of adoption of ASU 2017-12

 

 
605

 
605

Adjusted balance at January 1, 2018
(758
)
 
3,900

 
(6,770
)
 
(3,628
)
Gain (loss) through Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax of $0

 
(1,014
)
 
13,668

 
12,654

Reclassifications of loss (gain) into Net loss, net of income tax of $0

 
(2,063
)
 
738

 
(1,325
)
Net current period Other comprehensive income (loss)

 
(3,077
)
 
14,406

 
11,329

Balance at March 31, 2018
$
(758
)
 
823

 
7,636

 
7,701

 
(a)  
Amounts reclassified into Net loss are included in Other income, net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(b)
Amounts reclassified into Net loss are included in Interest expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

(9)    Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share—Series A and Series B
 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of Series A and Series B Common Stock outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of Series A and Series B Common Stock outstanding and the effect of dilutive securities, including the Company's outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units.

For all periods presented, diluted EPS is computed the same as basic EPS because the Company recorded a loss from continuing operations, which would make potentially dilutive securities anti-dilutive. Diluted shares outstanding excluded an aggregate of 404,718 unvested restricted shares and performance units for the three months ended March 31, 2019 because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Diluted shares outstanding excluded an aggregate of 193,239 unvested restricted shares and performance units for the three months ended March 31, 2018 because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Weighted average number of shares of Series A and Series B Common Stock
12,429,810

 
12,298,922


14



(10)    Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities

Legal

Monitronics was named as a defendant in multiple putative class actions consolidated in U.S. District Court (Northern District of West Virginia) on behalf of purported class(es) for persons who claim to have received telemarketing calls in violation of various state and federal laws. The actions were brought by plaintiffs seeking monetary damages on behalf of all plaintiffs who received telemarketing calls made by a Monitronics Authorized Dealer, or any Authorized Dealer's lead generator or sub-dealer. In the second quarter of 2017, Monitronics and the plaintiffs agreed to settle this litigation for $28,000,000 ("the Settlement Amount"). In the third quarter of 2017, Monitronics paid $5,000,000 of the Settlement Amount pursuant to the settlement agreement with the plaintiffs. In the third quarter of 2018, Monitronics paid the remaining $23,000,000 of the Settlement Amount. Monitronics recovered a portion of the Settlement Amount under its insurance policies held with multiple carriers. In the fourth quarter of 2018, Monitronics settled its claims against two such carriers in which those carriers agreed to pay Monitronics an aggregate of $12,500,000 . In April of 2019, Monitronics settled a claim against one such carrier in which that carrier agreed to pay Monitronics $4,800,000 .

In addition to the above, the Company is also involved in litigation and similar claims incidental to the conduct of its business, including from time to time, contractual disputes, claims related to alleged security system failures and claims related to alleged violations of the U.S. Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Matters that are probable of unfavorable outcome to the Company and which can be reasonably estimated are accrued. Such accruals are based on information known about the matters, management's estimate of the outcomes of such matters and experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters. In management's opinion, none of the pending actions are likely to have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. The Company accrues and expenses legal fees related to loss contingency matters as incurred.

Other Legal Proceedings

On August 27, 2018, certain holders of Ascent Capital’s Convertible Notes caused an action to be filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, captioned KLS Diversified Master Fund L.P. et. al. v. Ascent Capital Group, Inc. et al. , C.A. No. 2018-0636 (as amended on September 5, 2018, October 1, 2018 and October 22, 2018, the “Noteholder Action”) against Ascent Capital and each of its directors and executive officers. On February 11, 2019, Ascent Capital and its directors and executive officers, on the one hand, and the holders of Convertible Notes that were plaintiffs in the Noteholder Action (together with certain of each of such holders’ respective affiliates, the “Noteholder Parties”) collectively holding $75,674,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, representing 78% of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes then outstanding, on the other hand, entered into a Settlement and Note Repurchase Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”), which, among other things as described herein, (i) provided for the settlement of the Noteholder Action and the mutual release of claims related thereto (the “Settlement”) and (ii) in connection with the Settlement, provided for the delivery by the Noteholder Parties of their respective written consents (the “Consents”) with respect to all Convertible Notes held by such Noteholder Parties to certain amendments described below (the “Amendments”) to the indenture governing the Convertible Notes (the "Indenture") and for the private repurchase (the “Note Repurchase”) by the Company of all Convertible Notes held by such Noteholder Parties. On February 14, 2019, the transactions contemplated in the Settlement Agreement (including the obtaining of the Consents and the Note Repurchase) were consummated and following the receipt of the Consents, the Company and the Trustee entered into the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2019 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”), to the Indenture and the Amendments became effective. The Amendments effected by the Second Supplemental Indenture modified the Indenture to (i) remove references to subsidiary, subsidiaries and/or significant subsidiary, as applicable, of Ascent Capital from certain events of default provisions contained in Section 6.01 of the Indenture and (ii) allow conversion of Ascent Capital into a non-corporate legal form. Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Settlement Agreement, on February 15, 2019, a Stipulation of Dismissal with respect to the Noteholder Action was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, pursuant to which the Noteholder Action was dismissed with prejudice.

The Settlement Agreement states that, in connection with the Settlement, Ascent Capital paid to the Noteholder Parties an aggregate amount of $70,666,176.28 in cash, consisting of (i) an aggregate of $6,104,720.92 for professional fees and expenses incurred on the Noteholder Parties’ behalf, (ii) an aggregate of $2,000,000.00 in consideration for the Noteholder Parties’ Consents, (iii) an aggregate of $10,808,555.36 in consideration for and in full and final satisfaction of the settled claims as set forth in the Settlement Agreement and (iv) an aggregate of $51,752,900.00 on account of the Note Repurchase.


15


(11)    Revenue Recognition

Disaggregation of Revenue

Revenue is disaggregated by source of revenue as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Alarm monitoring revenue
$
121,479

 
124,840

Product and installation revenue
6,534

 
8,147

Other revenue
1,593

 
766

Total Net revenue
$
129,606

 
133,753


Contract Balances

The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Trade receivables, net
$
12,438

 
13,121

Contract assets, net - current portion (a)
13,072

 
13,452

Contract assets, net - long-term portion (b)
14,634

 
16,154

Deferred revenue
12,698

 
13,060

 
(a)          Amount is included in Prepaid and other current assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(b)          Amount is included in Other assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(12)    Leases

The Company primarily leases buildings and equipment. The Company determines if a contract is a lease at the inception of the arrangement. The Company reviews all options to extend, terminate, or purchase its right of use assets at the inception of the lease and accounts for these options when they are reasonably certain of being exercised. Certain real estate leases contain lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for separately.

Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Lease expense for these leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

All of the Company's leases are currently determined to be operating leases.

Components of Lease Expense

The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Operating lease cost (a)
$
131

Operating lease cost (b)
1,021

Total operating lease cost
$
1,152


 
(a)          Amount is included in Cost of services in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(b)          Amount is included in Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.


16


Remaining Lease Term and Discount Rate

The following table presents the weighted-average remaining lease term and the weighted-average discount rate:
 
As of March 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term for operating leases (in years)
10.3

Weighted-average discount rate for operating leases
11.8
%

All of the Company's lease contracts do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. For these contracts, the Company's estimated incremental borrowing rate is based on information available either upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 or at the inception of the lease.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following is the supplemental cash flow information associated with the Company's leases (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
 
Operating cash flows from operating leases
1,097


Maturities of Lease Liabilities

As of March 31, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
Remainder of 2019
$
2,864

2020
3,649

2021
3,195

2022
3,069

2023
3,087

Thereafter
20,329

Total lease payments
$
36,193

Less: Interest
(15,791
)
Total lease obligations
$
20,402


Disclosures Related to Periods Prior to Adoption of ASU 2016-02

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 using a modified retrospective method at January 1, 2019 as described in note 3, Recent Accounting Pronouncements . As required, the following disclosure is provided for periods prior to adoption. Minimum lease commitments as of December 31, 2018 that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31:
 
2019
$
4,739

2020
4,263

2021
3,093

2022
3,068

2023
3,087

Thereafter
20,329

Minimum lease commitments
$
38,579



17


Item 2 .   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business, marketing and operating strategies, new service offerings, the availability of debt refinancing, our ability to regain compliance with the continued listing rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq"), transferring the Company's Series A common stock listing to the Nasdaq Capital Market or quotation on the OTC Market, obtaining or maintaining any requested waiver of forbearance with respect to the Credit Facility and Senior Notes (each as defined below), the ability of Ascent Capital and Monitronics to continue as going concerns, potential restructurings and strategic transactions, financial prospects and anticipated sources and uses of capital. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following include some but not all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated:
 
general business conditions and industry trends;
the availability and terms of capital, including the ability of Monitronics to refinance its existing debt or obtain future financing to grow its business;
Monitronics' ability to refinance the Senior Notes or to reach an agreement on the terms of a restructuring with its stakeholders.
Monitronics' high degree of leverage and the restrictive covenants governing its indebtedness;
our ability to satisfy the continued listing standards of Nasdaq (or to cure any continued listing standard deficiencies) with respect to our Series A Common Stock;
macroeconomic conditions and their effect on the general economy and on the U.S. housing market, in particular single family homes, which represent Monitronics' largest demographic;
uncertainties in the development of our business strategies, including the rebranding to Brinks Home Security and market acceptance of new products and services;
the competitive environment in which Monitronics operates, in particular, increasing competition in the alarm monitoring industry from larger existing competitors and new market entrants, including technology, telecommunications and cable companies;
the development of new services or service innovations by competitors;
Monitronics' ability to acquire and integrate additional accounts, including competition for dealers with other alarm monitoring companies which could cause an increase in expected subscriber acquisition costs;
technological changes which could result in the obsolescence of currently utilized technology with the need for significant upgrade expenditures, including the phase out of 3G and CDMA networks by cellular carriers;
the trend away from the use of public switched telephone network lines and the resultant increase in servicing costs associated with alternative methods of communication;
the operating performance of Monitronics' network, including the potential for service disruptions at both the main monitoring facility and back-up monitoring facility due to acts of nature or technology deficiencies, and the potential of security breaches related to network or customer information;
the outcome of any pending, threatened, or future litigation, including potential liability for failure to respond adequately to alarm activations;
the ability to continue to obtain insurance coverage sufficient to hedge our risk exposures, including as a result of acts of third parties and/or alleged regulatory violations;
changes in the nature of strategic relationships with original equipment manufacturers, dealers and other Monitronics business partners;
the reliability and creditworthiness of Monitronics' independent alarm systems dealers and subscribers;
changes in Monitronics' expected rate of subscriber attrition;
availability of, and our ability to retain, qualified personnel;
integration of acquired assets and businesses; and
the regulatory environment in which we operate, including the multiplicity of jurisdictions, state and federal consumer protection laws and licensing requirements to which Monitronics and/or its dealers are subject and the risk of new regulations, such as the increasing adoption of "false alarm" ordinances;

For additional risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the " 2018 Form 10-K").  These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
 

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The following discussion and analysis provides information concerning our results of operations and financial condition.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere herein and the 2018 Form 10-K.

Overview
 
Ascent Capital Group, Inc. ("Ascent Capital" or the "Company") is a holding company and its assets primarily consist of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Monitronics International, Inc. and its operating subsidiaries (collectively, "Monitronics", doing business as Brinks Home Security). Monitronics provides residential customers and commercial client accounts with monitored home and business security systems, as well as interactive and home automation services, in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Monitronics customers are obtained through its direct-to-consumer sales channel (the "Direct to Consumer Channel") or its exclusive authorized dealer network (the "Dealer Channel"), which provides product and installation services, as well as support to customers. Its Direct to Consumer Channel offers both Do-It-Yourself and professional installation security solutions.

Attrition
 
Account cancellation, otherwise referred to as subscriber attrition, has a direct impact on the number of subscribers that Monitronics services and on its financial results, including revenues, operating income and cash flow.  A portion of the subscriber base can be expected to cancel its service every year. Subscribers may choose not to renew or to terminate their contract for a variety of reasons, including relocation, cost, switching to a competitor's service and limited use by the subscriber and thus low perceived value.  The largest categories of canceled accounts relate to subscriber relocation or the inability to contact the subscriber.  Monitronics defines its attrition rate as the number of canceled accounts in a given period divided by the weighted average of number of subscribers for that period.  Monitronics considers an account canceled if payment from the subscriber is deemed uncollectible or if the subscriber cancels for various reasons.  If a subscriber relocates but continues its service, this is not a cancellation.  If the subscriber relocates, discontinues its service and a new subscriber takes over the original subscriber's service continuing the revenue stream, this is also not a cancellation.  Monitronics adjusts the number of canceled accounts by excluding those that are contractually guaranteed by its dealers.  The typical dealer contract provides that if a subscriber cancels in the first year of its contract, the dealer must either replace the canceled account with a new one or refund to Monitronics the cost paid to acquire the contract. To help ensure the dealer's obligation to Monitronics, Monitronics typically maintains a dealer funded holdback reserve ranging from 5-8% of subscriber accounts in the guarantee period.  In some cases, the amount of the holdback liability is less than actual attrition experience.

The table below presents subscriber data for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 :
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Beginning balance of accounts
 
958,719

 
1,036,794

Accounts acquired
 
111,376

 
87,957

Accounts canceled
 
(164,221
)
 
(159,845
)
Canceled accounts guaranteed by dealer and other adjustments (a)
 
(4,681
)

(6,187
)
Ending balance of accounts
 
901,193

 
958,719

Monthly weighted average accounts
 
936,430

 
998,137

Attrition rate - Unit
 
17.5
%
 
16.0
%
Attrition rate - RMR (b)
 
17.0
%
 
13.9
%
 
(a)
Includes canceled accounts that are contractually guaranteed to be refunded from holdback.
(b)
The recurring monthly revenue ("RMR") of canceled accounts follows the same definition as subscriber unit attrition as noted above. RMR attrition is defined as the RMR of canceled accounts in a given period, adjusted for the impact of price increases or decreases in that period, divided by the weighted average of RMR for that period.
 
The unit attrition rate for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was 17.5% and 16.0% , respectively. The RMR attrition rate for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was 17.0% and 13.9% , respectively. Contributing to the increase in unit and RMR attrition were fewer customers under contract or in the dealer guarantee period for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to the prior period, increased non-pay attrition as well as some impact from competition

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from new market entrants. The increase in the RMR attrition rate for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 was also impacted by a less aggressive price increase strategy in the first quarter of 2019.

Monitronics analyzes its attrition by classifying accounts into annual pools based on the year of acquisition.  Monitronics then tracks the number of accounts that cancel as a percentage of the initial number of accounts acquired for each pool for each year subsequent to its acquisition.  Based on the average cancellation rate across the pools, Monitronics' attrition rate is very low within the initial 12 month period after considering the accounts which were replaced or refunded by the dealers at no additional cost to Monitronics. Over the next few years of the subscriber account life, the number of subscribers that cancel as a percentage of the initial number of subscribers in that pool gradually increases and historically has peaked following the end of the initial contract term, which is typically three to five years.  Subsequent to the peak following the end of the initial contract term, the number of subscribers that cancel as a percentage of the initial number of subscribers in that pool declines.

Accounts Acquired
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , Monitronics acquired 20,003 and 21,547 subscriber accounts, respectively, through its Dealer and Direct to Consumer Channels. The decrease in accounts acquired for the three months is due to year over year decline in accounts acquired from the Direct to Consumer Channel partially offset by year over year growth in accounts acquired from the Dealer Channel.

RMR acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $964,000 and $987,000, respectively.

Strategic Initiatives

Given the recent decreases in the generation of new subscriber accounts in Monitronics' Dealer Channel and trends in subscriber attrition, it has implemented several initiatives related to account growth, creation costs, attrition and margin improvements.

Account Growth

Monitronics believes that generating account growth at a reasonable cost is essential to scaling its business and generating stakeholder value. In recent years, acquisition of new subscriber accounts through its Dealer Channel has declined due to the attrition of large dealers, efforts to acquire new accounts from dealers at lower purchase prices, changes in consumer buying behavior and increased competition from technology, telecommunications and cable companies in the market. Monitronics currently has several initiatives in place to improve account growth, which include:

Enhancing its brand recognition with consumers, which was recently bolstered by the rebranding to Brinks Home Security,
Recruiting high quality dealers into the Monitronics Authorized Dealer Program,
Assisting new and existing dealers with training and marketing initiatives to increase productivity,
Acquiring bulk accounts to supplement account generation,
Offering third party equipment financing to consumers which is expected to assist in driving account growth at lower creation costs, and
Growing the Direct to Consumer Channel under the Brinks Home Security brand.

Creation Costs

Monitronics also considers the management of creation costs to be a key driver in improving its financial results, as lower creation costs would improve its profitability and cash flows. The initiatives related to managing creation costs include:

Growing the Direct to Consumer Channel, including further leveraging our partnership with Nest Labs, Inc., with expected lower creation cost multiples,
Expanding the use and availability of third party financing to all of its sales channels, which will drive down net creation costs, and
Negotiating lower subscriber account purchase price multiples in its Dealer Channel.

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Attrition

While Monitronics has also experienced higher subscriber attrition rates in the past few years, it has continued to develop its efforts to manage subscriber attrition, which it believes will help drive increases in its subscriber base and stakeholder value. Monitronics currently has several initiatives in place to reduce subscriber attrition, which include:

Maintaining high customer service levels,
Effectively managing the credit quality of new customers,
Using predictive modeling to identify subscribers with a higher risk of cancellation and engaging with these subscribers to obtain contract extensions on terms favorable to Monitronics, and
Implementing effective pricing strategies.

Margin Improvement

Monitronics has also adopted initiatives to reduce expenses and improve its financial results, which include:

Reducing its operating costs by right sizing the cost structure to the business and leveraging its scale,
Implementing more sophisticated purchasing techniques, and
Increasing use of automation.

While the uncertainties related to the successful implementation of the foregoing initiatives could impact Monitronics' ability to achieve net profitability and positive cash flows in the near term, Monitronics believes it will position itself to improve its operating performance, increase cash flows and create stakeholder value over the long-term.

Adjusted EBITDA
 
We evaluate the performance of our operations based on financial measures such as revenue and "Adjusted EBITDA." Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation, amortization (including the amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets), restructuring charges, stock-based compensation, and other non-cash or non-recurring charges.  Ascent Capital believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its business, including the business' ability to fund its ongoing acquisition of subscriber accounts, its capital expenditures and to service its debt.  In addition, this measure is used by management to evaluate operating results and perform analytical comparisons and identify strategies to improve performance.  Adjusted EBITDA is also a measure that is customarily used by financial analysts to evaluate the financial performance of companies in the security alarm monitoring industry and is one of the financial measures, subject to certain adjustments, by which Monitronics' covenants are calculated under the agreements governing its debt obligations.  Adjusted EBITDA does not represent cash flow from operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), should not be construed as an alternative to net income or loss and is indicative neither of our results of operations nor of cash flows available to fund all of our cash needs.  It is, however, a measurement that Ascent Capital believes is useful to investors in analyzing its operating performance.  Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure.  As companies often define non-GAAP financial measures differently, Adjusted EBITDA as calculated by Ascent Capital should not be compared to any similarly titled measures reported by other companies.


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Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth selected data from the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Net revenue
$
129,606

 
133,753

Cost of services
26,764

 
32,701

Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation
32,512

 
37,406

Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets
49,145

 
54,411

Interest expense
37,894

 
38,652

Income tax expense
671

 
1,346

Net loss
(27,839
)
 
(30,838
)
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA   (a)
 
 
 
Monitronics business Adjusted EBITDA
$
73,739

 
70,039

Corporate Adjusted EBITDA
(1,020
)
 
(1,170
)
Total Adjusted EBITDA
$
72,719

 
68,869

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Net revenue
 
 
 
Monitronics business
56.9
 %
 
52.4
 %
Corporate
(0.8
)%
 
(0.9
)%
 
 
 
 
Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net
 
 
 
Gross subscriber acquisition costs
$
7,315

 
11,690

Revenue associated with subscriber acquisition costs
(1,703
)
 
(1,512
)
Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net
$
5,612

 
10,178


(a)  
See reconciliation of Net loss to Adjusted EBITDA below.

Net revenue.   Net revenue decreased $4,147,000 , or 3.1% , for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease in net revenue is attributable to the lower average number of subscribers in the first quarter of 2019. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in average RMR per subscriber due to certain price increases enacted during the past twelve months. Average RMR per subscriber increased from $44.76 as of March 31, 2018 to $45.28 as of March 31, 2019 . In addition, the Company recognized a $1,693,000 decrease in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to a $325,000 increase in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018 related to changes in Topic 606 contract assets.

Cost of services .  Cost of services decreased $5,937,000 , or 18.2% , for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is primarily attributable to decreased field service costs due to a lower volume of retention and move jobs being completed and a decrease in expensed subscriber acquisition costs. Subscriber acquisition costs, which include expensed equipment and labor costs associated with the creation of new subscribers, decreased to $1,794,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to $3,610,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Cost of services as a percent of net revenue decreased from 24.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 20.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 .
 
Selling, general and administrative.  Selling, general and administrative costs ("SG&A") decreased $4,894,000 , or 13.1% , for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease is primarily attributable to reduced subscriber acquisition costs in SG&A associated with the creation of new subscribers. Subscriber acquisition costs decreased to $5,521,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to $8,080,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 . Additionally, there was $2,955,000 and $892,000 of severance expense related to transitioning Ascent Capital executive leadership and rebranding expense, respectively, that was recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2018 with no corresponding costs incurred in the three months ended March 31, 2019. These decreases are partially offset by increased consulting fees on integration / implementation of company initiatives. Other increases in SG&A contributing to the overall change period over period include deferred and incentive-based compensation costs and Topic 606

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contract asset impairment costs. SG&A as a percent of net revenue decreased from 28.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 25.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 .

Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets .  Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets decreased $5,266,000 , or 9.7% , for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease is related to a lower number of subscriber accounts purchased in the last twelve months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the prior corresponding period as well as the timing of amortization of subscriber accounts acquired prior to the first quarter of 2018 , which have a lower rate of amortization in 2019 based on the applicable double declining balance amortization method.
 
Interest expense.   Interest expense decreased $758,000 , or 2.0% , for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease in interest expense is attributable to decreases in the Company's Convertible Notes principal balance and amortization of debt discount and deferred debt costs under the effective interest rate method partially offset by increased interest costs on the Credit Facility revolver due to a higher outstanding balance at March 31, 2019, and higher interest rates in the current year, as compared to the corresponding prior year period.
 
Income tax expense.   The Company had pre-tax loss of $27,168,000 and income tax expense of $671,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 .  The Company had pre-tax loss of $29,492,000 and income tax expense of $1,346,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 . Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is attributable to Monitronics' state tax expense incurred from Texas margin tax. Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is attributable to Monitronics' state tax expense incurred from Texas margin tax and the deferred tax impact from amortization of deductible goodwill related to Monitronics' business acquisitions.

Net loss. The Company had net loss of $27,839,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to $30,838,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 . The decrease in net loss is primarily attributable to a decrease in operating expenses, of which the major components are discussed above, partially offset by the unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments.

Adjusted EBITDA. The following table provides a reconciliation of Net loss to total Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Net loss
$
(27,839
)
 
(30,838
)
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets
49,145

 
54,411

Depreciation
3,158

 
2,621

Stock-based compensation
459

 
285

Long-term incentive compensation
286

 

Severance expense (a)

 
2,955

LiveWatch acquisition contingent bonus charges
63

 
62

Rebranding marketing program

 
892

Integration / implementation of company initiatives
1,581

 

Interest income
(544
)
 
(481
)
Interest expense
37,894

 
38,652

Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments
7,773

 

Refinancing expense
331

 

Insurance recovery in excess of cost on Ascent Convertible Note litigation
(259
)
 

Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net

 
(1,036
)
Income tax expense
671

 
1,346

Adjusted EBITDA
$
72,719

 
68,869

 
(a) 
Severance expense related to transitioning executive leadership at Ascent Capital in 2018.


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Adjusted EBITDA increased $3,850,000 , or 5.6% , for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to the corresponding prior year period.  The increase is primarily the result of a decrease in cost of services partially offset by lower revenues as discussed above.

Monitronics' consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $73,739,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to $70,039,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 .

Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net .  Subscriber acquisition costs, net decreased to $5,612,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to $10,178,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 . The decrease in subscriber acquisition costs, net is primarily attributable to decreased production volume in the Company's Direct to Consumer Channel year over year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
At March 31, 2019 , we had $76,300,000 of cash and cash equivalents. Subsequent to March 31, 2019, we used approximately $19,800,000 of our cash to pay holders of our Convertible Notes as part of an Amended Tender Offer (as defined below). We may use a portion of our remaining cash and cash equivalents to fund operations, decrease debt obligations, fund stock repurchases, or fund potential strategic acquisitions or investment opportunities.
 
Additionally, our other source of funds is our cash flows from operating activities which are primarily generated from the operations of Monitronics.  During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , our cash flow from operating activities was $47,813,000 and $47,954,000 , respectively.  The primary drivers of our cash flow from operating activities are the fluctuations in revenues and operating expenses as discussed in "Results of Operations" above.  In addition, our cash flow from operating activities may be significantly impacted by changes in working capital.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , the Company used cash of $28,850,000 and $24,560,000 , respectively, to fund subscriber account acquisitions, net of holdback and guarantee obligations.  In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , the Company used cash of $2,999,000 and $3,310,000 , respectively, to fund its capital expenditures.

The existing long-term debt of the Company at March 31, 2019 includes the aggregate principal balance of $ 1,860,001,000 under (i) the Ascent Capital Convertible Notes totaling $21,101,000 in aggregate principal amount, maturing on July 15, 2020 and bearing interest at 4.00% per annum (ii) the Monitronics senior notes totaling $585,000,000 in principal, maturing on April 1, 2020 and bearing interest at 9.125% per annum (the "Senior Notes"), and (iii) the $1,100,000,000 senior secured term loan and $295,000,000 super priority revolver under the sixth amendment to the Monitronics secured credit agreement dated March 23, 2012, as amended (the "Credit Facility").  The Convertible Notes had an outstanding principal balance of $ 21,101,000 as of March 31, 2019 .  Following the consummation of the Amended Tender Offer (as defined below), an aggregate principal amount of $260,000 of Convertible Notes remain outstanding. The Senior Notes have an outstanding principal balance of $ 585,000,000 as of March 31, 2019 .  The Credit Facility term loan has an outstanding principal balance of $ 1,072,500,000 as of March 31, 2019 and requires principal payments of $2,750,000 per quarter with the remaining amount becoming due on September 30, 2022. The Credit Facility revolver has an outstanding balance of $ 181,400,000 and an aggregate of $1,000,000 under two standby letters of credit issued as of March 31, 2019 , which becomes due on September 30, 2021.

On February 14, 2019, the Company repurchased $75,674,000 in aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Convertible Notes pursuant to the Settlement Agreement (as defined and described in Note 10, Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities ). Convertible Notes repurchased pursuant to the Settlement Agreement were cancelled.

On February 19, 2019, the Company commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding Convertible Notes (the “Tender Offer”). On March 22, 2019, the Company entered into transaction support agreements with holders of approximately $18,554,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes, pursuant to which the Company agreed to increase the purchase price for the Convertible Notes in the Tender Offer to $950 per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, with no accrued and unpaid interest to be payable (as so amended, the “Amended Tender Offer”) and such holders agreed to tender, or cause to be tendered, into the Amended Tender Offer all Convertible Notes held by such holders. The Amended Tender Offer was settled on April 1, 2019. A total of $20,841,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes were accepted for payment pursuant to the Amended Tender Offer.

The maturity date for each of the term loan and the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility is subject to a springing maturity 181 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of the Senior Notes, or October 3, 2019, if Monitronics is unable to refinance the Senior Notes by that date. Furthermore, Monitronics received a going concern qualification in connection with its

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standalone external audit report of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2018, which constitutes a default under Monitronics’ Credit Facility (the "Going Concern Default"), and will report that its Consolidated Senior Secured Eligible RMR Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) exceeds the limits provided in the Credit Agreement for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 (the “Financial Covenant Default”), which constitutes an event of default under Monitronics’ Credit Facility. Any default under the Credit Facility may, upon the passage of time, mature into an event of default. At any time after the occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Facility, the lenders thereunder may, among other options, declare any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility immediately due and payable and the revolving loan lenders thereunder may terminate any commitment to make further loans under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility. Any such acceleration may constitute an event of default under the indenture governing the Senior Notes.

Additionally, in connection with management's negotiations with its creditors, Monitronics did not make its Senior Notes interest payment of $26,691,000 due on April 1, 2019. The indenture governing the Senior Notes provides for a 30-day cure period on past due interest payments (the non-payment of the interest following the expiration of the 30-day cure period, the "Senior Notes Default"). The 30-day cure period under the indenture governing the Senior Notes has expired.
Monitronics obtained a waiver (as amended, the “Credit Facility Waiver”), from the required revolving lenders under the Credit Facility, which expired May 10, 2019, with respect to, among other things, the Going Concern Default and the Senior Notes Default, subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Facility Waiver. The Credit Facility Waiver obtained from the Credit Facility revolving loan lenders allowed Monitronics to continue to borrow under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility, up to $195,000,000 at an alternate base rate plus 3.00%. Monitronics is seeking to amend and extend the Credit Facility Waiver including a waiver with respect to the Financial Covenant Default and such discussions are ongoing.

Monitronics has obtained a forbearance, as amended, from the required term lenders under the Credit Facility, through May 15, 2019, with respect to, among other things, the Going Concern Default, the Senior Notes Default and the Financial Covenant Default, subject to the terms and conditions of the forbearance. The forbearance obtained from the Credit Facility term lenders provides that the term loan lenders will not exercise remedies with respect to an event of default that may occur from the Going Concern Default, the Senior Notes Default or the Financial Covenant Default. Despite the forbearance obtained from the Credit Facility term lenders, the Going Concern Default, the Senior Notes Default and the Financial Covenant Default, and any resulting event of default under the Credit Facility, are continuing, and will continue, absent a waiver from the required revolving and term loan lenders, as applicable.

Additionally, Monitronics has obtained a forbearance from the required holders of Senior Notes, through May 15, 2019, with respect to, among other things, the Senior Notes Default, subject to the terms and conditions of the forbearance. The forbearance obtained from the holders of Senior Notes provides, subject to the terms of the forbearance, that the holders of Senior Notes will not exercise remedies with respect to the Senior Notes Default.

Nasdaq Deficiency Notices

Our Series A Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. As a Nasdaq listed company, we are required to satisfy Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements.

On November 26, 2018, we received a letter from Nasdaq indicating that the market value of publicly held shares of our Series A common stock (“MVPHS”) for the last 30 consecutive business days was less than $15 million, which is the minimum market value of publicly held shares (the “MVPHS Requirement”) necessary to qualify for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(3)(C). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(D), we have been provided 180 calendar days, or until May 28, 2019, to regain compliance with the MVPHS Requirement. To regain compliance, our MVPHS must be at least $15 million for at least ten consecutive business days during this 180-day period, at which point Nasdaq would provide written confirmation to us and close the matter. If we do not regain compliance with the MVPHS Requirement within the 180-day compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice to us that our Series A common stock is subject to delisting. We may transfer our Series A common stock to the Nasdaq Capital Market, provided we meet the listing requirements for that market, but there can be no assurance that we will meet those listing requirements. Alternatively, if the Series A Common Stock is not eligible to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we intend to apply to have the Series A Common Stock quoted on the OTC Market.

In addition, on December 28, 2018, we received a letter (the “Minimum Bid Notice”) from Nasdaq indicating that the closing bid price of our Series A common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was less than $1.00, which is the minimum closing bid price (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”) necessary to qualify for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we have been provided 180 calendar days, or until June 26, 2019, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. To regain

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compliance, the closing bid price of our Series A common stock must be at least $1.00 per share for at least ten consecutive business days during this 180-day period, at which point Nasdaq would provide written confirmation to the Company of compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement and close the matter. The Minimum Bid Notice provides that, if we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by June 26, 2019, we may be eligible to transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market and take advantage of an additional 180 calendar day compliance period. To qualify, we would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, and provide written notice of our intention to cure the minimum bid price deficiency during the second compliance period, by effecting a reverse split, if necessary. If we meet these requirements, we will be granted an additional compliance period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, but there can be no assurance that we will meet those listing requirements. If we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by June 26, 2019, and the Nasdaq staff determines that we will not be able to cure the deficiency, or if we are not otherwise eligible for any additional compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice that our Series A common stock is subject to delisting. Alternatively, if the Series A Common Stock is not eligible to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we intend to apply to have the Series A Common Stock quoted on the OTC Market.

While Nasdaq’s rules permit us to appeal any delisting determination, there can be no assurance the Nasdaq’s staff would grant our request for continued listing. Further, there can be no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with the MVPHS Requirement or the Minimum Bid Price Requirement or maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s other continued listing requirements. If the Series A common stock is not eligible to be listed on Nasdaq, the Company intends to apply to have the Series A common stock quoted on the OTC Market.

In addition, a delisting of our Series A Common Stock from Nasdaq would negatively impact us because it could, among other things: (i) reduce the liquidity and market price of our common stock; (ii) reduce the amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; (iii) reduce the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common stock, which could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing and the ability of our shareholders to sell our common stock; (iv) limit our ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing us from accessing the public capital markets; (v) impair our ability to provide liquid equity incentives to our employees; and (vi) have negative reputational impact for us with our customers, suppliers, employees and other persons with whom we transact from time to time.

Radio Conversion Costs

Recently, Monitronics has become aware that certain cellular carriers of 3G and CDMA cellular networks will be retiring their 3G and CDMA networks by the end of 2022 and Monitronics currently estimates that the retirement of these networks will impact approximately 510,000 of its subscribers. Monitronics is working on plans to identify and offer equipment upgrades to this population of subscribers. While such plans are not finalized, Monitronics does expect to incur incremental expenses over the next three years related to retirement of 3G and CDMA networks. Total costs for the conversion of such customers are subject to numerous variables, including Monitronics' ability to work with its partners and subscribers on cost sharing initiatives.

Liquidity Outlook

In considering our liquidity requirements for the next twelve months, we evaluated our known future commitments and obligations including factors discussed above.  Ascent Capital and Monitronics have engaged financial and legal advisors to assist them in considering potential alternatives to address the issues described above. As of the issuance date of these condensed consolidated financial statements, Monitronics has not refinanced the Senior Notes and there can be no assurance that any refinancing, or an alternative restructuring of its outstanding indebtedness will be possible on acceptable terms, if at all.

Monitronics’ failure to refinance the Senior Notes or to reach an agreement with its stakeholders on the terms of a restructuring would have a material adverse effect on its and our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations, and may result in it filing a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in order to implement a restructuring plan.

We will require the availability of funds to finance the strategy of our primary operating subsidiary, Monitronics, which is to grow through the acquisition of subscriber accounts.  We considered the expected cash flow from Monitronics, as this business is the driver of our operating cash flows. Monitronics had $23,931,000 of cash as of March 31, 2019 available to fund operations. The Credit Facility Waiver expired May 10, 2019. Monitronics is seeking to amend and extend the Credit Facility Waiver including a waiver with respect to the Financial Covenant Default. However, there can be no assurance that

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Monitronics will receive such a waiver and therefore, there can be no assurance that Monitronics will have availability of additional borrowings under the Credit Facility revolver. Without additional waivers or forbearances from its Credit Facility term and revolving lenders, there will be insufficient liquidity to finance Monitronics' operating strategy.

We may seek external equity or debt financing in the event of any new investment opportunities, additional capital expenditures or our operations require additional funds, but there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain equity or debt financing on terms that would be acceptable to us or at all.  Our ability to seek additional sources of funding depends on our future financial position and results of operations, which are subject to general conditions in or affecting our industry and our subscribers and to general economic, political, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors beyond our control.

Item 3 .   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
We have exposure to changes in interest rates related to the terms of our debt obligations.  Monitronics uses derivative financial instruments to manage the exposure related to the movement in interest rates.  The derivatives are designated as hedges and were entered into with the intention of reducing the risk associated with variable interest rates on the debt obligations.  We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
 
Tabular Presentation of Interest Rate Risk
 
The table below provides information about our outstanding debt obligations and derivative financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Interest rate swaps are presented at their fair value amount and by maturity date as of March 31, 2019 .  Debt amounts represent principal payments by maturity date, assuming certain accelerated maturities due to potential events of default, as of March 31, 2019 .
 
Year of Maturity
 
Fixed Rate
Derivative
Instruments, net (a)
 
Variable Rate
Debt
 
Fixed Rate
Debt
 
Total
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Remainder of 2019
 
$

 
$
1,253,900

 
$
606,101

 
$
1,860,001

2020
 

 

 

 

2021
 

 

 

 

2022
 
3,260

 

 

 
3,260

2023
 

 

 

 

2024
 

 

 

 

Thereafter
 

 

 

 

Total
 
$
3,260

 
$
1,253,900

 
$
606,101

 
$
1,863,261

 
(a)  
The derivative financial instruments reflected in this column include four interest rate swaps with a maturity date in 2022.  As a result of these interest rate swaps, Monitronics' effective weighted average interest rate (excluding the impacts of non-cash amortization of deferred debt costs and discounts) on the borrowings under the Credit Facility term loans was 8.04% as of March 31, 2019 .  See notes 5, 6 and 7 to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report for further information.

Item 4 .   Controls and Procedures
 
In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer (the "Executives"), of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2019 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
 

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There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 .   Legal Proceedings.

On August 27, 2018, certain holders of Ascent Capital’s Convertible Notes caused an action to be filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, captioned KLS Diversified Master Fund L.P. et. al. v. Ascent Capital Group, Inc. et al., C.A. No. 2018-0636 (as amended on September 5, 2018, October 1, 2018 and October 22, 2018, the “Noteholder Action”) against Ascent Capital and each of its directors and executive officers. On February 11, 2019, Ascent Capital and its directors and executive officers, on the one hand, and the holders of Convertible Notes that were plaintiffs in the Noteholder Action (together with certain of each of such holders’ respective affiliates, the “Noteholder Parties”) collectively holding $75,674,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, representing 78% of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes then outstanding, on the other hand, entered into a Settlement and Note Repurchase Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”), which, among other things as described herein, (i) provided for the settlement of the Noteholder Action and the mutual release of claims related thereto (the “Settlement”) and (ii) in connection with the Settlement, provided for the delivery by the Noteholder Parties of their respective written consents (the “Consents”) with respect to all Convertible Notes held by such Noteholder Parties to certain amendments described below (the “Amendments”) to the Indenture and for the private repurchase (the “Note Repurchase”) by the Company of all Convertible Notes held by such Noteholder Parties. On February 14, 2019, the transactions contemplated in the Settlement Agreement (including the obtaining of the Consents and the Note Repurchase) were consummated and following the receipt of the Consents, the Company and the Trustee entered into the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2019 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”), to the Indenture and the Amendments became effective. The Amendments effected by the Second Supplemental Indenture modified the Indenture to (i) remove references to subsidiary, subsidiaries and/or significant subsidiary, as applicable, of Ascent Capital from certain events of default provisions contained in Section 6.01 of the Indenture and (ii) allow conversion of Ascent Capital into a non-corporate legal form. Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Settlement Agreement, on February 15, 2019, a Stipulation of Dismissal with respect to the Noteholder Action was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, pursuant to which the Noteholder Action was dismissed with prejudice.

The Settlement Agreement states that, in connection with the Settlement, Ascent Capital paid to the Noteholder Parties an aggregate amount of $70,666,176.28 in cash, consisting of (i) an aggregate of $6,104,720.92 for professional fees and expenses incurred on the Noteholder Parties’ behalf, (ii) an aggregate of $2,000,000.00 in consideration for the Noteholder Parties’ Consents, (iii) an aggregate of $10,808,555.36 in consideration for and in full and final satisfaction of the settled claims as set forth in the Settlement Agreement and (iv) an aggregate of $51,752,900.00 on account of the Note Repurchase.

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

(c) Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

The Company did not purchase any of its own equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2019 . The following table sets forth information concerning shares withheld in payment of withholding taxes on certain vesting of stock awards of Series A Common Stock, in each case, during the three months ended March 31, 2019 .
Period
 
Total Number 
of Shares
Purchased
(Surrendered) (1)
 
 
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
 
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) or Shares (or
Units) that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (1)
1/1/2019 - 1/31/2019
 
4,419

 
(2)
 
$
0.41

 

 
 
2/1/2019 - 2/28/2019
 
1,792

 
(2)
 
0.54

 

 
 
3/1/2019 - 3/31/2019
 
1,250

 
(2)
 
0.74

 

 
 
Total
 
7,461

 
 
 
$
0.49

 

 
 
 
(1)
   On June 16, 2011, the Company announced that it received authorization to implement a share repurchase program, pursuant to which it could purchase up to $25,000,000 of its shares of Series A Common Stock, from time to time.  On November 14, 2013, November 10, 2014 and September 4, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized, at each date, the repurchase of an incremental $25,000,000 of its Series A Common Stock. As of March 31, 2019 ,

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2,391,604 shares of Series A Common Stock had been purchased, at an average price paid of $40.65 per share, pursuant to these authorizations.  As of March 31, 2019 , the remaining availability under the Company's existing share repurchase program will enable the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of approximately $2,771,000 of Series A Common Stock. The Company may also purchase shares of its Series B Common Stock, under the remaining availability of the program.

(2)
Represents shares withheld in payment of withholding taxes upon vesting of employees' restricted share awards.

Item 3 .   Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

In connection with management’s negotiations with its creditors, Monitronics did not make its Senior Notes interest payment in the amount of $26,691,000 due on April 1, 2019, which is also the aggregate amount of interest payments that have not been paid as of the date of filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The indenture governing the Senior Notes provides for a 30-day cure period on past due interest payments, which has expired. For more information regarding the Senior Notes Default, see “ Part I, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources ” and Note 2, Going Concern .

Item 6 Exhibits
 
Listed below are the exhibits which are included as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
4.1
 
10.1
 
10.2
 
10.3
 
10.4
 
10.5
 
10.6
 
10.7
 
10.8
 
10.9
 
10.10
 
10.11
 
10.12
 

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10.13
 
31.1
 
31.2
 
32
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document. *
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. *
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. *
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. *
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document. *
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. *


*
Filed herewith.
**
Furnished herewith.

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 14, 2019
 
By:
/s/ William E. Niles
 
 
 
 
William E. Niles
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 14, 2019
 
By:
/s/ Fred A. Graffam
 
 
 
 
Fred A. Graffam
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


30


Exhibit 10.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), made on February 1, 2019, to be effective as of January 1, 2019 (“Effective Date”), is entered into by and between Ascent Capital Group, Inc. (the “Company”), and William E. Niles (“Executive”).

INTRODUCTION
The Company and Executive are parties to an Employment Agreement, as amended and restated effective April 1, 2018 (the “ Prior Agreement ”).
The Company desires to continue to employ Executive, and Executive desires to accept such employment, under the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Company and the Executive desire to amend and restate in its entirety the Prior Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
EMPLOYMENT; TERM; DUTIES
1.1     Employment . Upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the Company hereby continues to employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts continued employment, as Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the request of the Board of Directors of the Company, Executive shall resign from the position of Chief Executive Officer and resume Executive’s prior position of Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and such request shall not be a violation of the terms of this Agreement provided that all other terms of the Agreement remain the same including, for the avoidance of doubt, Base Salary and Target Bonus.

1.2     Term . Subject to Article IV below, Executive’s employment hereunder shall begin as of the Effective Date and terminate at the close of business on February 28, 2020 or such earlier date as provided for herein (the “Term”).

1.3     Duties . During the Term, Executive shall perform such executive duties for the Company and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates (together, “Affiliates”), consistent with his position hereunder. Executive shall devote his entire productive business time, attention and energies to the performance of his duties hereunder. Executive shall use his best efforts to advance the interests and business of the Company and its Affiliates. Executive shall abide by the rules, regulations and policies of the Company, as may be in effect from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Term, Executive may act for his own account in passive-type investments as provided in Section 5.3, or as a member of boards of directors of other companies, where the time allocated for those activities does not materially interfere with or create a conflict of interest with the discharge of his duties for the Company.






1.4     Reporting . Executive shall report directly to the Board of Directors of the Company.

1.5     Location . Except for services rendered during business trips as may be reasonably necessary, Executive shall render his services under this Agreement primarily from the principal executive offices of the Company in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area.

1.6     Exclusive Agreement . Executive represents and warrants to the Company that there are no agreements or arrangements, whether written or oral, in effect which would prevent Executive from rendering his exclusive services to the Company during the Term.

ARTICLE II
COMPENSATION
2.1     Compensation . For all services rendered by Executive hereunder and all covenants and conditions undertaken by him pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall pay, and Executive shall accept, as full compensation, the amounts set forth in this Article II.

2.2     Base Salary . Executive’s base salary shall be an annual salary of $600,000 (“Base Salary”), payable by the Company in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. The Base Salary shall be reviewed on an annual basis during the Term for increase in the sole discretion of the compensation committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.3     Bonus . For each fiscal year during the Term, in addition to the Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus of 100% of Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”). Executive’s entitlement to any bonus will be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, based upon the achievement of such criteria as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion with respect to each fiscal year of the Term. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to guarantee the payment of any bonus to Executive. For the Purpose of calculating severance, the term “Target Bonus” shall mean an amount equal to 100% of Executive’s then Base Salary.

2.4     Deductions . The Company shall deduct from the compensation described in Sections 2.2 and 2.3, and from any other compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement, any federal, state or local withholding taxes, social security contributions and any other amounts which may be required to be deducted or withheld by the Company pursuant to any federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.

2.5     Disability Adjustment . Any compensation otherwise payable to Executive pursuant to Sections 2.2 and 2.3 in respect of any period during which Executive is Disabled (as defined in Section 4.4) shall be reduced by any amounts payable to Executive for loss of earnings or the like under any insurance plan or policy sponsored by the Company.

ARTICLE III
BENEFITS; EXPENSES
3.1     Benefits . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in such group life, health, accident, disability or hospitalization insurance plans, pension plans and retirement plans as the Company may make available to its other senior executive employees as a group, subject to the terms and conditions of any such plans. Executive’s participation in all such plans shall be at a level, and on terms and conditions, that are commensurate with his positions and responsibilities at the Company.






3.2     Expenses . The Company agrees that Executive is authorized to incur reasonable and appropriate expenses in the performance of his duties hereunder and in promoting the business of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Travel & Entertainment Policy (as the same may be modified or amended by the Company from time to time in its sole discretion).

3.3     Vacation . Executive shall accrue a total of one hundred sixty (160) hours of vacation per year following the date of this Agreement.  If, at any time during the Term, Executive accumulates two hundred forty (240) hours of earned but unused vacation time (the “Accrual Cap”), Executive will not accrue additional vacation time until he has taken a portion of the previously earned vacation.  Executive will again accrue paid vacation time when his accumulated amount of earned but unused vacation time falls below the Accrual Cap.  Upon termination of Executive’s employment, any accrued but unused vacation time will be paid to Executive.

3.4     Key Man Insurance . The Company may secure in its own name or otherwise, and at its own expense, life, health, accident and other insurance covering Executive alone or with others, and Executive shall not have any right, title or interest in or to such insurance other than as expressly provided herein. Executive agrees to assist the Company in procuring such insurance by submitting to the usual and customary medical and other examinations to be conducted by such physicians as the Company or such insurance company may designate and by signing such applications and other written instruments as may be required by the insurance companies to which application is made for such insurance. Executive’s failure to submit to such usual and customary medical and other examinations shall be deemed a material breach of this Agreement.

ARTICLE IV
TERMINATION; DEATH; DISABILITY
4.1     Termination of Employment For Cause . In addition to any other remedies available to the Company at law, in equity or as set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall have the right, upon written notice to Executive, to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder at any time for “Cause” (a “Termination For Cause”). In the event of a Termination For Cause, Executive’s employment will terminate and the Company shall have no further liability or obligation to Executive (other than the Company’s obligation to pay Base Salary and vacation time accrued but unpaid as of the date of termination and reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination in accordance with Section 3.2 above).

For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean: (a) any act or omission that constitutes a breach by Executive of any of his material obligations under this Agreement; (b) the continued failure or refusal of Executive (i) to substantially perform the material duties required of him as an Executive of the Company and/or (ii) to comply with reasonable directions of the Board of Directors; (c) any material violation by Executive of any (i) policy, rule or regulation of the Company or (ii) any law or regulation applicable to the business of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (d) Executive’s material act or omission constituting fraud, dishonesty or misrepresentation, occurring subsequent to the commencement of his employment with the Company; (e) Executive’s gross negligence in the performance of his duties hereunder; (f) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any crime (whether or not involving the Company) which constitutes a felony or crime of moral turpitude or is punishable by imprisonment of thirty (30) days or more, provided , however , that nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the Company to pay Base Salary or any bonus compensation or benefits during any period that Executive is unable to perform his duties hereunder due to any incarceration, and provided , further , that nothing shall prevent Executive’s termination





under any other subsection of this Section 4.1 if it provides independent grounds for termination; or (g) any other misconduct by Executive that is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of, or is otherwise materially injurious to, the Company or any of its Affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no purported Termination For Cause pursuant to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (g) of the preceding paragraph of this Section 4.1 shall be effective unless all of the following provisions shall have been complied with: (i) Executive shall be given written notice by the Company of its intention to effect a Termination For Cause, such notice to state in detail the particular circumstances that constitute the grounds on which the proposed Termination For Cause is based; and (ii) Executive shall have ten (10) business days after receiving such notice in which to cure such grounds, to the extent such cure is possible, as determined in the sole discretion of the Company.
4.2     Termination of Employment Without Cause . During the Term, the Company may at any time, in its sole discretion, terminate the employment of Executive hereunder for any reason (other than those set forth in Section 4.1 above) upon written notice (the “Termination Notice”) to Executive (a “Termination Without Cause”). In such event, the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the sum of the following:

(a)    any Base Salary and vacation time accrued but unpaid as of the date of termination;

(b)    subject to Sections 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 and 5.3 below, an amount (the “Severance Payment”) equal to the sum of:

(i) if the termination of Executive’s employment occurs prior to a Change in Control (as defined in Section 4.9), the product of (i) the sum of Executive’s Base Salary plus the Target Bonus, both as in effect immediately prior to such Termination Without Cause multiplied by (ii) 2; or
(ii) if the termination of Executive’s employment occurs concurrently with or following a Change in Control, the product of (i) the sum of Executive’s Base Salary plus the Target Bonus, both as in effect immediately prior to such Termination Without Cause multiplied by (ii) 2.5;
(c)    any Bonus to which Executive has earned prior to the date upon which such Termination Without Cause occurs but which remains unpaid at the date of termination (“Unpaid Bonus”); and

(d)    any reimbursement for expenses incurred in accordance with Section 3.2.

Any Severance Payment to which Executive becomes entitled shall be payable in cash in a lump sum no later than the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the date of termination of Executive’s employment (or, if such day is not a business day, on the first business day thereafter).
In addition, subject to Sections 4.5 and 4.6 below, to the extent such coverage is available and is elected by Executive under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), the Company shall contribute to the health insurance plan maintained by the Company and covering the Executive and his dependents as of the date of termination, or any successor plan maintained by the Company, that amount that reflects the proportionate part of the premium for such coverage that is paid by the Company as of the date of termination (the “Benefits Payments”), such Benefits Payments to be made monthly in accordance with the Company’s normal procedures for the payment of health insurance premiums, throughout





the period beginning on the date of termination and ending on the earlier of the 24-month anniversary of the date of termination and the expiration of the coverage period specified in COBRA, such period to be determined as of the date of termination (the “Reimbursement Period”) ( i.e. , Executive shall bear responsibility for that portion of the health insurance premiums in excess of the Benefits Payments), or, alternately, in the Company’s sole discretion, the Company shall reimburse Executive the amount of the Benefits Payment on a monthly basis during the Reimbursement Period, upon Executive’s submission to the Company of adequate proof of payment of the full COBRA premium by Executive; provided , however , that if Executive becomes employed with another employer during the Reimbursement Period and is eligible to receive health and/or medical benefits that are substantially comparable to those offered by the Company under such other employer’s plans, as determined by the Company, the Company’s payment obligation under this paragraph shall end. Executive will notify the Company of his eligibility for such other employer-provided benefits within thirty (30) days of attaining of such eligibility. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company’s payment obligation under this paragraph would violate the nondiscrimination rules applicable to non-grandfathered group health plans, or result in the imposition of penalties under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (“ PPACA ”), the Company and Executive agree to reform this paragraph in a manner as is necessary to comply with PPACA while still providing economically equivalent benefits. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive shall be responsible for paying any U.S. federal or state income taxes associated with the Benefits Payments.
At least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Term, the Company shall deliver a written notice to Executive stating either (i) that the Company does not intend to offer Executive a new employment agreement to take effect at the expiration of the Term (a “Non-Renewal Notice”) or (ii) that the Company offers Executive a new employment agreement to take effect at the expiration of the Term upon terms (other than the length of the term of such new employment agreement) that are, in material respects, taken as a whole, at least as favorable to Executive as the terms of this Agreement, and the material terms of such offer shall be summarized or set forth in the notice (“Renewal Notice”). If the Company delivers a Non-Renewal Notice, or if the Company fails to deliver either a Renewal Notice or a Non-Renewal Notice on a timely basis as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, Executive’s employment shall be terminated at the expiration of the Term (or at such earlier date as may be set forth in the Non-Renewal Notice), and such termination shall be a Termination Without Cause, whereupon, subject to Sections 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8 and 5.3 below, Executive shall be entitled to receive the amounts and benefits as provided under this Section 4.2.
In addition, in the event of a Change in Control, the parties agree that Executive’s employment will be terminated without the necessity of further action by the Company or Executive on the date 30 days following the date of the Change in Control (or such earlier date as the parties may agree), and such termination shall be a Termination Without Cause, whereupon, subject to Sections 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8 and 5.3 below, Executive shall be entitled to receive the amounts and benefits as provided under this Section 4.2. At the request of the Company, Executive agrees to serve a non-employee director of the Board following his termination of employment, subject to the standard terms and conditions, including compensation and indemnification, as are provided to other non-employee directors.
Executive acknowledges that the payments and benefits described in this Section 4.2, together with any rights or benefits under any written plan or agreement which have vested on or prior to the termination date of Executive’s employment under this Section 4.2, constitute the only payments which Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Company hereunder in the event of any termination of his employment pursuant to this Section 4.2, and the Company shall have no further liability or obligation to him hereunder or otherwise in respect of his employment.
4.3     Termination of Employment With Good Reason . In addition to any other remedies available to Executive at law, in equity or as set forth in this Agreement, Executive shall have the right during the





Term, upon written notice to the Company, to terminate his employment hereunder upon the occurrence of any of the following events without the prior written consent of Executive: (a) a reduction in Executive’s then current Base Salary; (b) the relocation by the Company of Executive’s principal place of employment to a location more than 35 miles from Executive’s principal place of employment prior to such relocation, without Executive’s consent, or (c) a breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement (a “Termination With Good Reason”). For the avoidance of doubt, the change in Executive’s position as described in Section 1.1 shall not give rise to an event constituting a Termination With Good Reason.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no purported Termination With Good Reason pursuant to Section 4.3(a), (b) or (c) shall be effective unless all of the following provisions shall have been complied with: (i) the Company shall be given written notice by Executive of the intention to effect a Termination With Good Reason, such notice to state in detail the particular circumstances that constitute the grounds on which the proposed Termination With Good Reason is based and to be given no later than ninety (90) days after the initial occurrence of such circumstances; (ii) the Company shall have thirty (30) days after receiving such notice in which to cure such grounds, to the extent such cure is possible and (iii) if the Company fails to cure such grounds within such 30-day period, Executive terminates his employment hereunder on the last day of such 30-day period.
In the event that a Termination With Good Reason occurs, then, subject to Sections 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 and 5.3 below, Executive shall have the same entitlement to the same amounts and benefits as provided under Section 4.2 for a Termination Without Cause.
Executive acknowledges that the payments and benefits referred to in this Section 4.3, together with any rights or benefits under any written plan or agreement which have vested on or prior to the termination date of Executive’s employment under this Section 4.3, constitute the only payments which Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Company hereunder in the event of any termination of his employment pursuant to this Section 4.3, and the Company shall have no further liability or obligation to him hereunder or otherwise in respect of his employment.
4.4     Death; Disability . In the event that Executive dies or becomes Disabled (as defined herein) during the Term, Executive’s employment shall terminate when such death or Disability occurs and the Company shall pay Executive (or his legal representative, as the case may be) as follows:

(a)    any Base Salary and vacation time accrued but unpaid as of the date of death or termination for Disability payable in a single lump sum cash payment within thirty (30) days of such termination of employment;

(b)    any reimbursement for expenses incurred in accordance with Section 3.2.; and

(c)    an amount equal to 18 months of Base Salary in effect immediately prior to such death or Disability payable in a single cash lump sum on the 60th business day following the termination date.

For the purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall be deemed to be “Disabled” or have a “Disability” if, because of Executive’s physical or mental disability, he has been substantially unable to perform his duties hereunder for twelve (12) work weeks in any twelve (12) month period. Executive shall be considered to have been substantially unable to perform his duties hereunder only if he is either (a) unable to reasonably and effectively carry out his duties with reasonable accommodations by the Company or (b) unable to reasonably and effectively carry out his duties because any reasonable accommodation which may be required





would cause the Company undue hardship. In the event of a disagreement concerning Executive’s purported Disability, Executive shall submit to such examinations as are deemed appropriate by three practicing physicians specializing in the area of Executive’s Disability, one selected by Executive, one selected by the Company, and one selected by both such physicians. The majority decision of such three physicians shall be final and binding on the parties.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent and for the period required by any state or federal family and medical leave law, upon Executive’s request (i) he shall be considered to be on unpaid leave of absence and not terminated, (ii) his group health benefits shall remain in full force and effect, and (iii) if Executive recovers from any such Disability, at that time, to the extent required by any state or federal family and medical leave law, upon Executive’s request, he shall be restored to his position hereunder or to an equivalent position, as the Company may determine, and the Term of Executive’s employment hereunder shall be reinstated effective upon such restoration. The Term shall not be extended by reason of such intervening leave of absence or termination, nor shall any compensation or benefits accrue in excess of those required by law during such intervening leave of absence or termination. Upon the expiration of any such rights, unless Executive has been restored to a position with the Company, he shall thereupon be considered terminated.
Executive acknowledges that the payments referred to in this Section 4.4, together with any rights or benefits under any written plan or agreement which have vested on or prior to the termination date of Executive’s employment under this Section 4.4, constitute the only payments which Executive (or his legal representative, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive from the Company hereunder in the event of a termination of his employment for death or Disability, and the Company shall have no further liability or obligation to him (or his legal representatives, as the case may be) hereunder or otherwise in respect of his employment.
4.5     No Mitigation by Executive . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for herein be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as the result of employment by another employer; provided , however , that if Executive becomes employed with another employer and is eligible to receive health and/or medical benefits under such other employer’s plans, Executive’s continued benefits and/or plan coverage as set forth in Section 4.2 or 4.3, as the case may be, shall be reduced to the extent that comparable benefits and/or coverage is provided under such other employer’s plans.

4.6     Severance Agreement and Release . In the event that Executive incurs a termination of employment pursuant to (i) a Termination Without Cause (as defined in Section 4.2 above), or (ii) a Termination With Good Reason (as defined in Section 4.3 above), payment by the Company of the amounts described in said sections shall be subject to the execution and delivery to the Company by Executive of a severance agreement and release (the “Release”) in a form substantially and materially similar to Attachment A hereto within the applicable time period described below.

The Release shall be delivered to Executive, in the case of a Termination Without Cause, at the time of delivery of the Termination Notice, and, in the case of a Termination With Good Reason, upon delivery of written notice by Executive to the Company. Executive shall have a period of twenty-one (21) days after the effective date of termination of this Agreement (the “Consideration Period”) in which to execute and return the original, signed Release to the Company. If Executive delivers the original, signed Release to the Company prior to the expiration of the Consideration Period and does not thereafter revoke such Release within any period of time provided therefor under applicable law, Executive shall, subject to Sections 4.7





and 5.3 below, be entitled to the Severance Payment as described in Section 4.2 (including by reason of Section 4.3, if applicable).
If Executive does not deliver the original, signed Release to the Company prior to the expiration of the Consideration Period, or if Executive delivers the original, signed Release to the Company prior to the expiration of the Consideration Period and thereafter revokes such Release within any period of time provided therefor under applicable law, then:
(a)    the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the sum of (i) any Base Salary and vacation time accrued but unpaid as of the date of termination, plus (ii) any reimbursement for expenses incurred in accordance with Section 3.2, plus (iii) any Unpaid Bonus; and

(b)    the Company shall have no obligation to pay to Executive the Severance Payment (as that term is defined in Section 4.2(b) above) or the Benefits Payments (as that term is defined in Section 4.2).

4.7     Continued Compliance . Executive and the Company hereby acknowledge that any Severance Payments and Benefits Payments payable by the Company under Section 4.2 (including by reason of Section 4.3) are part of the consideration for Executive’s undertakings under Article V below. Such amounts are subject to Executive’s continued compliance with the provisions of Article V. If Executive violates the provisions of Article V, then the Company will have no obligation to make any of the Severance Payments or Benefits Payments that remain payable by the Company under Section 4.2 (including by reason of Section 4.3) on or after the date of such violation.

4.8     Change in Control .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” means any of the following that otherwise meets the definition of a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control” or a “change in ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder:

(i) the acquisition by any person or group of ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock already held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company;

(ii) the acquisition by any person or group, in a single transaction or in multiple transactions all occurring during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or group, assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or exceeding 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; or

(iii) the acquisition by any person or group, in a single transaction or in multiple transactions all occurring during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or group, of ownership of stock of the Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of Company or the replacement of a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors during any 12-month period by directors whose





appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors before the date of appointment or election.
For purposes of this Section 4.8, “person” and “group” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or any successor provisions, and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision. “Person” or “group” shall also mean the holders of Monitronics International Inc.’s Senior Unsecured Notes due April 1, 2020.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Executive is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Code Section 280G(c)), and the payments and benefits provided for under this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive from the Company or any of its affiliates (or by any party to an agreement or arrangement with the Company or an affiliate in connection with a Change in Control), would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Code Section 280G(b)(2)), then the payments and benefits provided for under this Agreement shall be either (i) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total amounts and benefits received by the Executive from the Company and its affiliates will be one dollar ($1.00) less than three times the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Code Section 280G(b)(3)) and so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by the Executive shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4999 or (ii) paid in full, whichever produces the better net after-tax position to the Executive (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Code Section 4999 and any other applicable taxes). The reduction of payments and benefits hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing, first, payments or benefits to be paid in cash hereunder in the order in which such payment or benefit would be paid or provided (beginning with such payment or benefit that would be made last in time and continuing, to the extent necessary, through to such payment or benefit that would be made first in time) and, then, reducing any benefit to be provided in kind hereunder in a similar order. The determination as to whether any such reduction in the amount of the payments and benefits provided hereunder is necessary shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm mutually agreed to by the Company and the Executive. If a reduced payment or benefit is made or provided and through error or otherwise that payment or benefit, when aggregated with other payments and benefits from the Company (or its affiliates) used in determining if a parachute payment exists, exceeds one dollar ($1.00) less than three times the Executive’s base amount when the operation of this provision would have provided otherwise, then the Executive shall immediately repay such excess to the Company upon notification that an overpayment has been made. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event will the Company be responsible for any excise tax that may be imposed on the Executive pursuant to Code Section 4999.

ARTICLE V

OWNERSHIP OF PROCEEDS OF EMPLOYMENT; NON-DISCLOSURE;
NON-COMPETITION
5.1     Ownership of Proceeds of Employment .

5.1.1.    The Company shall be the sole and exclusive owner throughout the universe in perpetuity of all of the results and proceeds of Executive’s services, work and labor in connection with Executive’s employment by the Company, free and clear of any and all claims,





liens or encumbrances. Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company, with all necessary detail for a complete understanding of the same, any and all developments, client and potential client lists, know how, discoveries, inventions, improvements, conceptions, ideas, writings, processes, formulae, contracts, methods, works, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, which are conceived, made, acquired, or written by Executive, solely or jointly with another, while employed by the Company or within six months thereafter (whether or not at the request or upon the suggestion of the Company) and which are substantially related to the business or activities of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or which Executive conceives as a result of his employment by the Company or its Affiliates, or as a result of rendering advisory or consulting services to the Company or its Affiliates (collectively, “Proprietary Rights”).

5.1.2.    Executive hereby assigns and transfers, and agrees to assign and transfer, all his rights, title, and interests in the Proprietary Rights to the Company or its nominee. In addition, Executive shall deliver to the Company any and all drawings, notes, specifications, and data relating to the Proprietary Rights. All copyrightable Proprietary Rights shall be considered to be “works made for hire.” Whenever requested to do so by the Company, Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company any and all applications, assignments and other instruments and do such other acts that the Company shall request to apply for and obtain patents and/or copyrights in any and all countries or to otherwise protect the Company’s interest in the Proprietary Rights and/or to vest title thereto to the Company; provided, however, the provisions of this Section 5.1 shall not apply to any Proprietary Rights that Executive developed entirely on his own time without using the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities or proprietary information, except for Proprietary Rights that (a) at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the Proprietary Rights, relate to the Company’s business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company, or (b) result from any work performed by Executive for the Company.

5.1.3.    Executive shall assist the Company in obtaining such copyrights and patents during the term of this Agreement, and any time thereafter on reasonable notice and at mutually convenient times, and Executive agrees to testify in any prosecution or litigation involving any of the Proprietary Rights; provided, however, Executive shall be reasonably compensated for his time and reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in rendering such assistance or giving or preparing to give such testimony.

5.2     Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information .

5.2.1.    As used herein, “Confidential Information” means any and all information affecting or relating to the business of the Company and its Affiliates, including without limitation, financial data, customer lists and data, licensing arrangements, business strategies, pricing information, product development, intellectual, artistic, literary, dramatic or musical rights, works, or other materials of any kind or nature (whether or not entitled to protection under applicable copyright laws, or reduced to or embodied in any medium or tangible form), including without limitation, all copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, contract rights, titles, themes, stories, treatments, ideas, concepts, technologies, art work, logos, hardware, software, and as may be embodied in any and all computer programs, tapes, diskettes, disks, mailing lists, lists of actual or prospective customers and/or suppliers, notebooks, documents, memoranda, reports, files, correspondence, charts, lists and all other written, printed or otherwise recorded material of any kind whatsoever and any other





information, whether or not reduced to writing, including “know-how”, ideas, concepts, research, processes, and plans. “Confidential Information” does not include information that is in the public domain, information that is generally known in the trade, or information that Executive can prove he acquired wholly independently of his employment with the Company. Executive shall not, at any time during the Term or thereafter, directly or indirectly, disclose or furnish to any other person, firm or corporation any Confidential Information, except in the course of the proper performance of his duties hereunder or as required by law. Nothing in this Section 5.2 prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity (or of making any other protected disclosures). Promptly upon the expiration or termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason or whenever the Company so requests, Executive shall surrender to the Company all documents, drawings, work papers, lists, memoranda, records and other data (including all copies) constituting or pertaining in any way to any of the Confidential Information.

5.2.2.    Pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of any Confidential Information that (i) is made (A) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

5.3     Non-Competition . In consideration of the Company disclosing and providing access to Confidential Information after the date hereof, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Executive and the Company, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows. Executive shall not, during his employment or for a period of two years following his termination of employment, directly: (a) compete with the Company; or (b) have an interest in, be employed by, be engaged in or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or act in any advisory or other capacity for, any Competing Entity which conducts its business within the Territory (as such terms are hereinafter defined); provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may make solely passive investments in any Competing Entity the common stock of which is “publicly held,” and of which Executive shall not own or control, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate securities which constitute more than one (1%) percent of the voting rights or equity ownership of such Competing Entity; or (c) solicit or divert any business or any customer from the Company or assist any person, firm or corporation in doing so or attempting to do so; or (d) cause or seek to cause any person, firm or corporation to refrain from dealing or doing business with the Company or assist any person, firm or corporation in doing so or attempting to do so.

For purposes of this Section 5.3, (i) the term “Competing Entity” shall mean any entity which presently or during the period referred to above engages in any business activity in which the Company or any of its Affiliates is then engaged; and (ii) the term “Territory” shall mean any geographic area in which the Company or any of its Affiliates conducts business during such period.

In the event Executive breaches this Section 5.3 then, in addition to the remedies set for in Section 5.5, (x) Executive shall forfeit any Severance Payment and Benefits Payment otherwise payable pursuant to Section 4.2 or 4.3 above, and (y) the Company shall have no obligation to make any Severance Payment or any Benefits Payment under Section 4.2 or 4.3.






5.4     Non-Solicitation .

5.4.1.    Executive shall not, for a period of eighteen (18) months from the date of any termination or expiration of his employment hereunder, directly or indirectly: (a) acquire any financial interest in or perform any services for himself or any other entity in connection with a business in which Executive’s interest, duties or activities would inherently require Executive to reveal any Confidential Information; or (b) solicit or cause to be solicited the disclosure of or disclose any Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever or for any other party.

5.4.2.    In consideration of the Company disclosing and providing access to Confidential Information after the date hereof, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Executive and the Company, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows. Executive shall not, for a period of eighteen (18) months from the date of any termination or expiration of his employment hereunder, solicit, directly or indirectly, or cause or permit others to solicit, directly or indirectly, any person employed by the Company (a “Current Employee”) to leave employment with the Company. The term “solicit” includes, but is not limited to the following (regardless of whether done directly or indirectly): (i) requesting that a Current Employee change employment, (ii) informing a Current Employee that an opening exists elsewhere, (iii) assisting a Current Employee in finding employment elsewhere, (iv) inquiring if a Current Employee “knows of anyone who might be interested” in a position elsewhere, (v) inquiring if a Current Employee might have an interest in employment elsewhere, (vi) informing others of the name or status of, or other information about, a Current Employee, or (vii) any other similar conduct, the effect of which is that a Current Employee leaves the employment of the Company.

5.5     Breach of Provisions . In the event that Executive shall breach any of the provisions of this Article V, or in the event that any such breach is threatened by Executive, in addition to and without limiting or waiving any other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity, the Company shall be entitled to immediate injunctive relief in any court, domestic or foreign, having the capacity to grant such relief, without the necessity of posting a bond, to restrain any such breach or threatened breach and to enforce the provisions of this Article V. Executive acknowledges and agrees that there is no adequate remedy at law for any such breach or threatened breach and, in the event that any action or proceeding is brought seeking injunctive relief, Executive shall not use as a defense thereto that there is an adequate remedy at law.

5.6     Reasonable Restrictions . The parties acknowledge that the foregoing restrictions, the duration and the territorial scope thereof as set forth in this Article V, are under all of the circumstances reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company and its business.






5.7     Protected Disclosures. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. Additionally, the parties acknowledge and agree that Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and Executive is not required to notify the Company that Executive has made such reports or disclosures.

5.8     Definition . For purposes of this Article V, the term “Company” shall be deemed to include (i) any predecessor to, or successor of the Company, (ii) any subsidiary of the Company (including, without limitation, any entity in which the Company owns 50% or more of the issued and outstanding equity), and (iii) any entity that is under the control or common control of the Company (including, by way of illustration and not as a limitation, any joint venture to which the Company or one of its subsidiaries is a party).

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS
6.1     Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, heirs, distributees, successors and assigns.

6.2     Assignment . The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor in interest to its business, or to any subsidiary of the Company, and Executive hereby agrees to be employed by such assignee as though such assignee were originally the employer named herein.  Executive hereby acknowledges that the services to be rendered by Executive are unique and personal, and, accordingly, Executive may not assign any of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under this Agreement.

6.3     Notices . Any notice provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made when personally delivered or three (3) days following deposit for mailing by first class registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address of the other party set forth below or to such other address as may be specified by notice given in accordance with this Section 6.3:

(a)    If to the Company:

Ascent Capital Group, Inc.
5251 DTC Parkway, Suite 1000
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

Attention:    Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman,
Compensation Committee
(b)    If to Executive: William E. Niles at the most recent address for Executive listed in the payroll records of the Company.

6.4     Severability . If any provision of this Agreement, or portion thereof, shall be held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision or portion thereof, and shall not in any manner affect or render invalid or unenforceable any other provision of this Agreement or portion thereof, and this Agreement shall be carried out as if any such





invalid or unenforceable provision or portion thereof were not contained herein. In addition, any such invalid or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be deemed, without further action on the part of the parties hereto, modified, amended or limited to the extent necessary to render the same valid and enforceable.

6.5     Confidentiality . The parties hereto agree that they will not, during the Term or thereafter, disclose to any other person or entity the terms or conditions of this Agreement (excluding the financial terms hereof) without the prior written consent of the other party, except as required by law, regulatory authority or as necessary for either party to obtain personal loans or financing. Approval of the Company and of Executive shall be required with respect to any press releases regarding this Agreement and the activities of Executive contemplated hereunder.

6.6     Arbitration . Except as provided otherwise in Section 5.5, if any controversy, claim or dispute arises out of or in any way relates to this Agreement, the alleged breach thereof, Executive’s employment with the Company or termination therefrom, including without limitation, any and all claims for employment discrimination or harassment, civil tort and any other employment laws, excepting only claims which may not, by statute, be arbitrated, both Executive and the Company (and its directors, officers, employees or agents) agree to submit any such dispute exclusively to binding arbitration. Both Executive and the Company acknowledge that they are relinquishing their right to a jury trial in civil court. Executive and the Company agree that arbitration is the exclusive remedy for all disputes arising out of or related to Executive’s employment with the Company.

The arbitration shall be administered, at the election of the party initiating the arbitration proceeding, either by JAMS in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules & Procedures of JAMS then in effect and subject to JAMS Policy on Employment Arbitration Minimum Standards or by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association, except as provided otherwise in this Agreement. Arbitration shall be commenced and heard in Denver County, Colorado. Only one arbitrator shall preside over the proceedings. The arbitrator shall apply the substantive law (and the law of remedies, if applicable) of Colorado or federal law, or both, as applicable to the claim(s) asserted. In any arbitration, the burden of proof shall be allocated as provided by applicable law. The arbitrator shall have the authority to award any and all legal and equitable relief authorized by the law applicable to the claim(s) being asserted in the arbitration, as of the claim(s) were brought in a court of law. Either party may bring an action in court to compel arbitration under this Agreement and to enforce an arbitration award. Discovery, such as depositions or document requests, shall be available to the Company and Executive as though the dispute were pending in Colorado state court. The arbitrator shall have the ability to rule on pre-hearing motions, as though the matter were in a Colorado state court, including the ability to rule on a motion for summary judgment.

Unless otherwise permitted under applicable law, the fees of the arbitrator and any other fees for the administration of the arbitration that would not normally be incurred if the action were brought in a court of law (e.g., filing fees, room rental fees, etc.) shall be paid by the Company, provided that Executive shall be required to pay the amount of filing fees equal to that which Executive would be required to pay to file an action in Colorado state court. The arbitrator must provide a written decision which is subject to limited judicial review consistent with applicable law. If any part of this arbitration provision is deemed to be unenforceable by an arbitrator or a court of law, that part may be severed or reformed so as to make the balance of this arbitration provision enforceable.

6.7     Waiver . No waiver by a party hereto of a breach or default hereunder by the other party shall be considered valid unless in writing signed by such first party, and no such waiver shall be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of the same or any other nature.





6.8     Controlling Nature of Agreement . To the extent any terms of this Agreement are inconsistent with the terms or provisions of the Company’s Employee Handbook or any other personnel policy statements or documents, the terms of this Agreement shall control. To the extent that any terms and conditions of Executive’s employment are not covered in this Agreement, the terms and conditions set forth in the Employee Handbook or any similar document shall control such terms.

6.9     Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understanding between the Company and Executive, whether written or oral, fully or partially performed relating to any or all matters covered by and contained or otherwise dealt with in this Agreement, including the Prior Agreement.

6.10     Amendment . No modification, change or amendment of this Agreement or any of its provisions shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the party against whom such claimed modification, change or amendment is sought to be enforced.

6.11     Authority . The parties each represent and warrant that they have the power, authority and right to enter into this Agreement and to carry out and perform the terms, covenants and conditions hereof.

6.12     Applicable Law . This Agreement, and all of the rights and obligations of the parties in connection with the employment relationship established hereby, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Colorado without giving effect to principles relating to conflicts of law.

6.13     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

6.14     Compliance with Section 409A

(a)    This Agreement is intended to provide payments that are exempt from or compliant with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and related regulations and Treasury pronouncements (“ Section 409A ”), and the Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly. To the extent any payment or benefit provided under this Agreement is subject to Section 409A, such benefit shall be provided in a manner that complies with Section 409A, including any IRS guidance promulgated with respect to Section 409A; provided, however, in no event shall any action to comply with Section 409A reduce the aggregate amount payable to Executive hereunder unless expressly agreed in writing by Executive.

(b)    All reimbursements or provision of in-kind benefits pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) such that the reimbursement or provision will be deemed payable at a specified time or on a fixed schedule relative to a permissible payment event. Specifically, the amount reimbursed or in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement during Executive’s taxable year may not affect the amounts reimbursed or provided in any other taxable year (except that total reimbursements may be limited by a lifetime maximum under a group health plan), the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred, and the right to reimbursement or provision of in-kind benefit is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

(c) To the extent required to comply with Section 409A (as determined by the Company), if Executive is a “specified employee,” as determined by the Company, as of his date of termination,





then all amounts due under this Agreement that constitute a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, that are provided as a result of a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, and that would otherwise be paid or provided during the first six months following Executive’s date of termination, shall be accumulated through and paid or provided on the first business day that is more than six months after Executive’s date of termination (or, if Executive dies during such six month period, within thirty (30) days after Executive’s death). Each payment under this Agreement, including each payment in a series of installment payments, is intended to be a separate payment for purposes of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-2(b).

(d) For all purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall be considered to have terminated employment with the Company when Executive incurs a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 
"COMPANY"
 
 
 
 
ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ William R. Fitzgerald
 
 
William R. Fitzgerald
 
 
Chairman
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"EXECUTIVE"
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ William E. Niles
 
 
William E. Niles






EXHIBIT A

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE
This Severance Agreement and General Release (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between William E. Niles (“Executive”) and Ascent Capital Group, Inc. (the “Company”).
RECITALS
A.    Executive has been employed by the Company pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated as of January __, 2019, by and between Executive and the Company (including the Attachments thereto, the “Employment Agreement”), and the employment relationship with the Company has terminated effective [____________] (the “Termination Date”);
B.    Pursuant to Section 4.6 of the Employment Agreement, Executive and the Company wish to enter into an agreement to clarify and resolve any disputes that may exist between them arising out of the employment relationship and its termination, and any continuing obligations of the parties to one another following the end of the employment relationship;
C.    The Company has advised Executive to consult an attorney prior to signing this Agreement and has provided Executive with up to twenty-one (21) days to consider its severance offer and to seek legal assistance. Executive has either consulted an attorney of Executive’s choice or voluntarily elected not to consult legal counsel, and understands that Executive is waiving all potential claims against the Company;
D.    This Agreement is not and should not be construed as an admission or statement by either party that it or any other party has acted wrongfully or unlawfully. Both parties expressly deny any wrongful or unlawful action. Terms not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement.
AGREEMENTS
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises contained below, it is agreed as follows:
1.     Termination of Employment . Executive’s employment with the Company has terminated effective as of the Termination Date. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, and except as otherwise expressly set forth in the Employment Agreement (i.e. obligations surviving termination of employment) Executive has no further employment duties or responsibilities to the Company after the Termination Date. Executive acknowledges that he has been paid all compensation due and owing to him as a consequence of his employment with the Company including any accrued but unused vacation and personal holidays, or bonuses.

2.     Severance and Benefits .

(a)     Severance Payments. Consistent with Section 4.2 of the Employment Agreement, subject to the execution of this Agreement by both parties, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to $[__________] less applicable withholding taxes, (the “Severance”), representing [ Describe amount and terms of the severance due pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement ], which shall be payable on [ Describe payment terms pursuant to terms of Employment Agreement ]. The Severance shall





be paid in addition to Executive’s salary through the Termination Date and any accrued but unused vacation leave and personal holidays.

(b)     Expense Reimbursements. In accordance with Company policy ( e.g. , Travel & Entertainment Policy) and normal payroll practices, Executive also will receive reimbursement for documented expenses (incurred through the Termination Date) and submitted on or before [__________].

(c)     Benefits. The Company will also pay the employer-mandated premiums for Executive’s health insurance benefit through [ Describe Terms of Employment Agreement ]. All other benefits shall cease effective the date that Executive’s employment is terminated, except that Executive shall have the right to elect self-pay health insurance benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) after the Termination Date. In addition, subject to the execution of this Agreement by both parties and to the extent such coverage is available and is elected by Executive under COBRA, the Company shall contribute to the health insurance plan maintained by the Company and covering Executive and his dependents as of the date of termination, or any successor plan maintained by the Company, in an amount that reflects the proportionate part of the premium for such coverage that is paid by the Company as of the date of termination (the “Benefits Payments”), such Benefits Payments to be made monthly in accordance with the Company’s normal procedures for the payment of health insurance premiums, throughout the period beginning on the date of termination and ending on the earlier of the 24-month anniversary of the date of termination and the expiration of the coverage period specified in COBRA, such period to be determined as of the date of termination (the “Reimbursement Period”) ( i.e. , Executive shall bear responsibility for that portion of the health insurance premiums in excess of the Benefits Payments), or, alternately, in the Company’s sole discretion, the Company shall reimburse Executive the amount of the Benefits Payment on a monthly basis during the Reimbursement Period, upon Executive’s submission to the Company of adequate proof of payment of the full COBRA premium by Executive; provided, however, that if Executive becomes employed with another employer during the Reimbursement Period and is eligible to receive health and/or medical benefits under such other employer’s plans, the Company’s payment obligation under this Paragraph 2(c) shall be reduced to the extent that comparable benefits and/or coverage is provided under such other employer’s plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company’s group health plan is insured and under applicable guidance the reimbursement of COBRA premiums causes the Company’s group health plan to violate any applicable nondiscrimination rule, the Company and Executive agree to negotiate in good faith a mutually agreeable alternative arrangement. Executive will notify the Company of his eligibility for such other employer-provided benefits within thirty (30) days of attaining of such eligibility. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company’s payment obligation under this paragraph would violate the nondiscrimination rules applicable to non- grandfathered group health plans, or result in the imposition of penalties under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (“PPACA”), the Company and Executive agree to reform this paragraph in a manner as is necessary to comply with PPACA while still providing economically equivalent benefits. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive shall be responsible for paying any U.S. federal or state income taxes associated with the Benefit Payments.

(d)     No Mitigation by Executive. Pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Employment Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any Severance payment provided for herein be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as the result of employment by another employer; provided, however, that if Executive becomes employed with another employer and is eligible to receive health and/or medical benefits under such other employer’s plans, the Benefits Payments (as set forth in Paragraph 2(c) above) shall be reduced to the extent that comparable benefits and/or coverage is provided under such other employer’s plans.





(e)     Continued Compliance. Executive and the Company hereby acknowledge that the amounts and benefits payable by the Company under Paragraphs 2(a), and 2(c), above, are part of the consideration for Executive’s undertakings under Article V of the Employment Agreement and Paragraphs 8 and 9 below (“Covenants”). Such amounts and benefits are subject to Executive’s continued compliance with the Covenants. If Executive violates the provisions of the Covenants, then the Company will have no obligation to make any of the payments that remain payable by the Company under Paragraphs 2(a), or 2(c), above, on or after the date of such violation.

(f)     No Other Payments. Executive hereby acknowledges that the payments and benefits referred to in this Agreement, together with any rights or benefits under any written plan or agreement which have vested on or prior to the Termination Date, constitute the only payments which Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Company as a consequence of the termination of his employment with the Company, and the Company shall have no further liability or obligation to Executive hereunder or otherwise in respect of his employment.

3.     Valid Consideration . Executive and the Company agree that the Company’s payment of the Severance and the Benefit Payments without a signed release is not required by the Company’s policies or procedures or by any contractual obligation of the Company, and is given solely as consideration for Executive’s covenants under this Agreement, which both parties acknowledge and agree is sufficient and adequate consideration.

4.     Confidentiality of Severance Agreement . Executive agrees to keep the terms of this Agreement (including but not limited to the severance amount) completely confidential, and not to disclose any information concerning this Agreement or its terms to anyone other than Executive’s immediate family, legal counsel, or financial advisors, who will be informed of and bound by this confidentiality clause. In addition, Executive may show only Paragraphs 8 and 9 of this Agreement to any prospective employer, in order to facilitate Executive’s compliance with the obligations as stated therein.

5.     General Release of Claims .

(a)    Except for claims “carved-out” in Paragraph 5(c) below, Executive expressly waives any claims against the Company and releases the Company including the Company’s predecessor, successor, parent, subsidiary and affiliated entities, as well as its and their officers, Executives, directors, stockholders, managers, agents, representatives, attorneys and assigns, past and present (collectively referred to herein as the “Company Releasees”) from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action of every kind and nature, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, fixed or contingent, that Executive now owns or holds or at any time may have held or owned against the Company Releasees or any of them, arising out of or in any way related to any transaction, agreement, occurrence, act, or omission whatsoever occurring, existing, or omitted at any time before the date hereof (collectively “Claims”), including, without limitation, any Claims:

(i) Arising out of or in any way connected with Executive’s employment with the Company (including, without limitation, any claims for wages, severance pay, bonuses, employment benefits whether related to the Company’s policies or welfare benefit plans, or damages of any kind whatsoever) and the termination thereof;

(ii) Arising out of or in any way related to any employment agreement or any other contracts, express or implied, any covenant of good faith and fair dealings, express or implied, any theory of wrongful discharge, or any legal restriction on the Company’s right to terminate Executives;






(iii) Arising out of or in any way related to any federal, state, or other governmental statute or ordinance or wage order, including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, the Equal Pay Act, as amended, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and/or to the extent waivable, any other federal, state or local law (statutory or decisional), regulation, or ordinance, or any other legal limitation on the employment relationship including but not limited to any claims arising out of any federal, state or local statutes, orders or regulations prohibiting discrimination on account or race, color, creed or religion, sex, sexual harassment, national origin, age, handicap or disability, marital status, height, weight, pregnancy, or sexual preference or orientation thereof, retaliation;

(iv) Arising out of common law, whether sounding in contract or in tort, including, but not limited to, causes of action for wrongful discharge, quantum meruit, negligence, infliction of emotional distress, defamation, misrepresentation, fraud, conspiracy, invasion of privacy, interference with business advantage, interference with prospective economic advantage, interference with contractual relationship, failure to pay compensation of any kind, and/or failure to pay equal compensation for equal work.

(b)    Executive further understands and acknowledges that:

(i)    This Agreement constitutes a voluntary waiver of any and all rights and claims Executive has against the Company Releasees as of the date of the execution of this Agreement, including rights or claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act;

(ii)    Executive has waived rights or claims pursuant to this Agreement in exchange for consideration, the value of which exceeds the payment or remuneration to which he was already entitled;

(iii)    Executive is hereby advised that he may consult with an attorney of his choosing concerning this Agreement prior to executing it;

(iv)    Executive has been afforded a period of at least 21 days to consider the terms of this Agreement, and in the event he should decide to execute this Agreement in fewer than 21 days, he has done so with the express understanding that he has been given and declined the opportunity to consider this Agreement for a full 21 days;

(v) Executive agrees that material and/or immaterial changes to this Agreement made by either party after the date Executive was given this Agreement do not affect or restart the running of the twenty-one (21) day period and Executive agrees to waive any such claim that a material and/or immaterial change to this Agreement extended the applicable running time period; and

(vi) Executive may revoke this subparagraph 5(b) of the Agreement at any time during the seven (7) days following the date of execution of this Agreement, and this subparagraph 5(b) of the Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until such revocation period has expired (the “Effective Date”). Executive understands that his revocation under this subparagraph 5(b) of the Agreement constitutes rejection of the entire Severance amount and the Benefit Payments.

(c)    This Agreement does not release (i) claims that cannot be released as a matter of law; (ii) claims that relate to events which may occur after execution of this Agreement, nor shall it preclude Executive from filing a lawsuit for the exclusive purpose of enforcing Executive’s rights under this Agreement; (iii) any claim or right held by Executive (whether as an officer, director, stockholder or in any





other capacity) for coverage under the Company’s D&O policies or any similar coverage or protection provided under the organizational documents of the Company; or (iv) any right to receive a reward for the provision of information to any governmental authority. This Agreement shall not prohibit Executive from challenging the validity of the release of ADEA claims by seeking assistance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or any other government agency. This Agreement shall not preclude Executive from filing a charge with, or cooperating in an investigation by, any government administrative agency with respect to any other right waived herein, provided that Executive does not seek any damages, remedies, or other relief from the Company for himself personally, which Executive covenants not to do.
 
6.     No Lawsuits . Executive represents that Executive has not filed any complaints, arbitration demands, charges or lawsuits against any of the Company Releasees with any governmental agency, or any arbitrator, or any court, including, but not limited, to the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the United States District Court. Executive further agrees that, to the extent permitted under applicable law, Executive will not initiate, assist, or encourage any actions unless compelled to do so by subpoena or court order. Executive agrees that if any claim is brought on Executive’s behalf by any governmental agency or third party, he agrees not to accept any monetary award or restitution resulting therefrom.

7.     Release of Unknown Claims . It is the intention of Executive and the Company that this Severance Agreement is a General Release which shall be effective as a bar to each and every Claim released hereby. Executive recognizes that Executive may have some Claims against the Company Releasees of which Executive is totally unaware and unsuspecting which Executive is giving up by execution of the General Release. It is the intention of Executive in executing this Agreement to forego each such Claim.

In connection with such waiver and relinquishment, Executive acknowledges that Executive is aware that Executive may hereafter discover facts in addition to, or different from, those which Executive now knows or believes to be true with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, but that it is Executive’s intention hereby to fully, finally and forever to settle and release all released matters. In furtherance of such intention, the release given herein shall be and remain in effect as a full and complete release, notwithstanding the discovery or existence on any such additional facts. Executive expressly acknowledges that this Agreement is intended to include in its effect, without limitation, all of Executive’s Claims which Executive does not know or suspect to exist in Executive’s favor at the time of execution of this Agreement, and that this Agreement contemplates the extinguishment of any such Claims.
8.     Confidential Information .

(a)    Consistent with Section 5.2 of the Employment Agreement, Executive understands and agrees that trade secret restrictions apply to Executive, including but not limited to Executive’s agreement that Confidential Information learned by Executive in the course of Executive’s employment with the Company may not be used by Executive nor transmitted to any other person or entity.

(b)    Consistent with Section 5.2 of the Employment Agreement, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose or furnish to any other person, firm or corporation any Confidential Information, except as required by law (in which event Executive shall give prior written notice to the Company and shall cooperate with the Company and the Company’s counsel in complying with such legal requirements). As used herein, “Confidential Information” means any and all information affecting or relating to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, financial data, customer lists and data, licensing arrangements, business strategies, pricing information, product development, or other materials of any kind





or nature (whether or not entitled to protection under applicable copyright laws, or reduced to or embodied in any medium or tangible form), including without limitation, all copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, contract rights, titles, themes, stories, treatments, ideas, concepts, technologies, art work, logos, hardware, software, and as may be embodied in any and all computer programs, tapes, diskettes, disks, mailing lists, lists of actual or prospective customers and/or suppliers, notebooks, documents, memoranda, reports, files, correspondence, charts, lists and all other written, printed or otherwise recorded material of any kind whatsoever and any other information, whether or not reduced to writing, including “know-how”, ideas, work flows, concepts, research, processes, and plans. “Confidential Information” does not include information that is in the public domain, information that is generally known in the trade, or information that Executive can prove he acquired wholly independently of his employment with the Company. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. Additionally, the parties acknowledge and agree that Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and Executive is not required to notify the Company that Executive has made such reports or disclosures.

9.     Non-Solicitation. Consistent with Section 5.4 of the Employment Agreement:

(a)    Executive shall not, for a period of eighteen (18) months from the Termination Date, directly or indirectly: (a) acquire any financial interest in or perform any services for himself or any other entity in connection with a business in which Executive’s interest, duties or activities would inherently require Executive to reveal any Confidential Information; or (b) solicit or cause to be solicited the disclosure of or disclose any Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever or for any other party.

(b)    Executive agrees that for the period of eighteen (18) months following the execution date of this Agreement, Executive will not solicit, directly or indirectly, nor cause or permit others to solicit, directly or indirectly, any person employed by the Company (“Current Employee”) to leave employment with the Company. The term “solicit” includes, but is not limited to the following (regardless of whether done directly or indirectly): (i) requesting that a Current Employee change employment, (ii) informing a Current Employee that an opening exists elsewhere, (iii) assisting a Current Employee to find employment elsewhere, (iv) inquiring if a Current Employee “knows anyone who might be interested” in a position elsewhere, (v) inquiring if a Current Employee might have an interest in employment elsewhere, (vi) informing others of the name or status of, or other information about, a Current Employee, or (vii) any other similar conduct, the effect of which is that a Current Employee leaves the employment of the Company.

10.     Return of Company Property and Proprietary Information . Consistent with Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the Employment Agreement, immediately upon termination of Executive’s employment, Executive has turned over to the Company all files, memoranda, records, credit cards, work papers, and other documents or physical property that Executive received from the Company or its employees or that Executive generated in the course of employment with the Company. Executive also has immediately turned over to the Company all embodiments of proprietary information (including, without limitation, notes, letters, documents, computer files and other records) which were in Executive’s possession or control and shall not retain any copies or summaries of such records or information. Furthermore, Executive agrees that the assignment of Proprietary Rights pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Employment Agreement remains in full force and effect.

11.     Reasonable Restrictions . Pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Employment Agreement, Executive acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions set forth in Paragraphs 8 and 9 of this Agreement, specifically





including the duration and territorial scope thereof, are under the circumstances reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company and its business.

12.     No Work-Related Injuries . Executive represents and warrants to the Company, under penalty of perjury, that Executive has not suffered any work-related injuries.

13.     Cooperation . During the period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the fourth anniversary thereof, Executive shall use reasonable efforts to make himself available as a witness in any action, investigation or other proceeding before any court, government agency, arbitrator, or mediator, in which he may be called to appear by the Company, regarding any business, property, or operations of the Company or any of its affiliates, parents or subsidiaries, and shall truthfully testify in any such action, proceeding or deposition in which he also appears. Upon request by Executive and prior approval by the Company, the Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable travel expenses incurred by Executive in connection with any such appearance in which Executive is so called to appear.

14.     Severability . The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any part of it is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain fully valid and enforceable to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.

15.     Knowing and Voluntary Agreement . Executive represents and agrees that Executive has read this Agreement, understands its terms and the fact that Executive releases any claim Executive might have against the Company Releasees, understands that Executive has the right to consult counsel of choice and has either done so or knowingly waived the right to do so, and enters into this Agreement without duress or coercion from any source.

16.     Definition . Consistent with Section 5.8 of the Employment Agreement, for purposes of Paragraphs 7, 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement, above, the term “Company” shall be deemed to include (i) any predecessor to, or successor of the Company, (ii) any subsidiary of the Company (including, without limitation, any entity in which the Company owns 50% or more of the issued and outstanding equity), and (iii) any entity that is under the control or common control of the Company (including, by way of illustration and not as a limitation, any joint venture to which the Company or one of its subsidiaries is a party).

17.     Entire Agreement . Except as otherwise expressly set forth in the Employment Agreement (i.e. obligations surviving termination of employment), this Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between Executive and the Company and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings, express or implied, pertaining to the terms of Executive’s employment with the Company and the termination of the employment relationship. Executive acknowledges that in executing this Agreement, Executive does not rely upon any representation or statement by any representative of the Company concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in the text of the Agreement. This Agreement may only be modified by an amendment in writing executed by both parties.

18.     Arbitration : Any controversy, claim or dispute arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement including, but not limited to, the performance or breach thereof, shall be determined exclusively by binding arbitration. Both Executive and the Company acknowledge that they are relinquishing their right to a jury trial in civil court.

The arbitration shall be in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association, except as provided otherwise in this Agreement. The arbitration shall be commenced and heard in the Englewood, Colorado metropolitan area. Only one arbitrator shall preside over the





proceedings. The arbitrator shall apply the substantive law (and the law of remedies, if applicable) of Colorado or federal law, or both, as applicable to the claim(s) asserted. In any arbitration, the burden of proof shall be allocated as provided by applicable law. The arbitrator shall have the authority to award any and all legal and equitable relief authorized by the law(s) applicable to the claim(s) being asserted in the arbitration, as if the claim(s) were brought in a court of law. Either party may bring an action in court to compel arbitration under this Agreement and to enforce an arbitration award. Discovery, such as depositions or document requests, shall be available to the Company and Executive as though the dispute were pending in Colorado state court. The arbitrator shall have the ability to rule on pre-hearing motions, as though the matter were in a Colorado state court, including the ability to rule on a motion for summary judgment.
The fees of the arbitrator and any other fees for the administration of the arbitration ( e.g. , room rental fees, etc.) shall be paid in equal shares by the Company and Executive. The arbitrator must provide a written decision which is subject to limited judicial review consistent with applicable law. If any part of this arbitration provision is deemed to be unenforceable by an arbitrator or a court of law, that part may be severed or reformed so as to make the balance of this arbitration provision enforceable.
19.     Non-Admission of Liability or Wrongdoing . By entering into this Agreement, neither Executive nor the Company admits any impropriety, illegality, wrongdoing or liability of any kind whatsoever, and on the contrary, each hereby expressly denies the same.

20.     Post-Employment Agreement . The parties acknowledge that this Agreement, including the arbitration provision contained in Paragraph 18 above, was negotiated and executed outside of the context of any employment relationship between the Company and Executive, which has ended.

21.      Counterpart Execution . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts so that when each Party has signed at least one counterpart of this Agreement, this Agreement shall be deemed fully executed as though each Party had signed one original of this Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates indicated below.

 
 
 
Ascent Capital Group, Inc.
Dated:
 
 
By:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Its:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
William E. Niles

    
 


















Exhibit 10.3
MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
2017 CASH INCENTIVE PLAN
(As Amended and Restated January 1, 2019)

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE OF PLAN; EFFECTIVE DATE

1.1     Purpose . The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success of the Company by providing a method whereby certain key employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries may be awarded additional remuneration for services rendered, encouraging them to remain in the employ of the Company or its Subsidiaries, and increasing their personal interest in the continued success and progress of the Company and Ascent Capital.

1.2     Effective Date . The Plan, as amended and restated, shall be effective as of January 1, 2019 (the “Effective Date”).

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS
2.1     Certain Defined Terms . Capitalized terms not defined elsewhere in the Plan shall have the following meanings (whether used in the singular or plural):

“Affiliate” of the Company means any corporation, partnership or other business association that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company.
“Agreement” means an agreement evidencing an Award, as any such Agreement may be supplemented or amended from time to time.
“Approved Transaction” means (A) any transaction in which the Board (or, if approval of the Board is not required as a matter of law, the stockholders of Ascent Capital) shall approve (i) any consolidation or merger of Ascent Capital, or binding share exchange, pursuant to which shares of Common Stock of Ascent Capital would be changed or converted into or exchanged for cash, securities, or other property, other than any such transaction in which the common stockholders of Ascent Capital immediately prior to such transaction have the same proportionate ownership of the Common Stock of, and voting power with respect to, the surviving corporation immediately after such transaction, (ii) any merger, consolidation or binding share exchange to which Ascent Capital is a party as a result of which the Persons who are common stockholders of Ascent Capital immediately prior thereto have less than a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding capital stock of Ascent Capital ordinarily (and apart from the rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors immediately following such merger, consolidation or binding share exchange, (iii) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of Ascent Capital, or (iv) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of Ascent Capital; (B) the sale or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets in one or more transactions to any Person other than Ascent Capital, any Affiliate of Ascent Capital or any employee benefit plan sponsored by Ascent Capital or any Affiliate of Ascent Capital; or (C) a merger, consolidation,





recapitalization, purchase, reorganization or other transaction resulting in any Person, other than Ascent Capital, any Affiliate of Ascent Capital or any employee benefit plan sponsored by Ascent Capital or any Affiliate of Ascent Capital, becoming the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of greater than 50%, directly or indirectly, of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company.
“Ascent Capital” means Ascent Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Award” means a Phantom Units Award or Cash Award under the Plan.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of Ascent Capital.
“Board Change” means, during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the entire Board cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.
“Cash Award” means an Award representing the right to receive an amount denominated in cash.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute or statutes thereto. Reference to any specific Code section shall include any successor section.
“Common Stock” means Ascent Capital’s Class A common stock.
“Company” means Monitronics International, Inc., a Texas corporation and wholly-owned operating subsidiary of Ascent Capital.
“Control Purchase” means any transaction (or series of related transactions) in which (i) any person (as such term is defined in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), corporation or other entity (other than Ascent Capital, any Subsidiary of Ascent Capital or any employee benefit plan sponsored by Ascent Capital or any Subsidiary of Ascent Capital) shall purchase any Common Stock of Ascent Capital (or securities convertible into Common Stock of Ascent Capital) for cash, securities or any other consideration pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer, without the prior consent of the Board, or (ii) any person (as such term is so defined), corporation or other entity (other than Ascent Capital, any Subsidiary of Ascent Capital, any employee benefit plan sponsored by Ascent Capital or any Subsidiary of Ascent Capital or any Exempt Person (as defined below)) shall become the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Ascent Capital representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of Ascent Capital ordinarily (and apart from the rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors (calculated as provided in Rule 13d-3(d) under the Exchange Act in the case of rights to acquire Ascent Capital’s securities), other than in a transaction (or series of related transactions) approved by the Board. For purposes of this definition, “Exempt Person” means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, each of the directors of Ascent Capital and John C. Malone as of the Effective Date, and (b) the respective family members, estates and heirs of each of the Persons referred to in clause (a) above and any trust or other investment vehicle for the primary benefit of any of such Persons or





their respective family members or heirs. As used with respect to any Person, the term “family member” means the spouse, siblings and lineal descendants of such Person.
“Disability” means the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
“Dividend Equivalents” means, with respect to a Phantom Units Award, to the extent specified by the LTIP Committee only, an amount equal to all dividends and other distributions (or the economic equivalent thereof) which are payable to stockholders of record during the Restriction Period on a like number and kind of shares of Common Stock.
“Domestic Relations Order” means a domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute or statutes thereto. Reference to any specific Exchange Act section shall include any successor section.
“Holder” means an employee who has received an Award under the Plan.
“LTIP Committee” means the committee appointed pursuant to Section 3.1 to administer the Plan.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity of any kind.
“Phantom Unit” means a unit evidencing the right to receive the equivalent value (determined in the manner specified in this Plan or the Agreement) in cash of one share of Common Stock, which right shall be subject to a Restriction Period or forfeiture provisions.
“Phantom Units Award” means a grant of Phantom Units under the Plan.
“Plan” means this Monitronics International, Inc. 2017 Cash Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of the Effective Date.
“Restriction Period” means a period of time beginning on the date of each Award and ending on the Vesting Date with respect to such Award.
“Section 409A” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.18.
“Subsidiary” of a Person means any present or future subsidiary (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) of such Person or any business entity in which such Person owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the voting, capital or profits interests. An entity shall be deemed a subsidiary of a Person for purposes of this definition only for such periods as the requisite ownership or control relationship is maintained.
“Vesting Date,” means the date on which an Award ceases to be subject to a risk of forfeiture, as designated in or determined in accordance with the Agreement. If more than one Vesting Date is designated for an Award, reference in the Plan to a Vesting Date in respect of such Award shall be





deemed to refer to each part of such Award and the Vesting Date for such part. The Vesting Date for a particular Award will be established by the LTIP Committee.

ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATION

3.1     LTIP Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the LTIP Committee unless a different committee is appointed by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The LTIP Committee shall be comprised of not less than two Persons and shall initially consist of: the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Capital, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, General Counsel of Ascent Capital, and the Chief People Officer of the Company. The Board may from time to time appoint members of the LTIP Committee in substitution for or in addition to members previously appointed, may fill vacancies in the LTIP Committee and may remove members of the LTIP Committee. The LTIP Committee shall select one of its members as its chairman and shall hold its meetings at such times and places as it shall deem advisable. A majority of its members shall constitute a quorum and all determinations shall be made by a majority of such quorum; provided, however , that so long as he serves on the LTIP Committee, no action may be taken by the LTIP Committee without the express consent and concurrence of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Capital. Any determination reduced to writing and signed by all of the members shall be as fully effective as if it had been made by a majority vote at a meeting duly called and held.

3.2     Power s. The LTIP Committee shall have full power and authority to grant to eligible employees Awards, to determine the terms and conditions (which need not be identical) of all Awards so granted, to interpret the provisions of the Plan and any Agreements relating to Awards granted under the Plan and to supervise the administration of the Plan. The LTIP Committee in making an Award may provide for the granting or issuance of additional, replacement or alternative Awards upon the occurrence of specified events, including the exercise of the original Award. The LTIP Committee shall have sole authority in the selection of employees to whom Awards may be granted under the Plan and in the determination of the timing, pricing and amount of any such Award, subject only to the express provisions of the Plan. In making determinations hereunder, the LTIP Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective employees, officers, their present and potential contributions to the success of the Company, and such other factors as the LTIP Committee in its discretion deems relevant.

3.3     Interpretation . The LTIP Committee is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to establish, amend and rescind such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or advisable for the proper administration of the Plan and to take such other action in connection with or in relation to the Plan as it deems necessary or advisable. Each action and determination made or taken pursuant to the Plan by the LTIP Committee, including any interpretation or construction of the Plan, shall be final and conclusive for all purposes and upon all Persons. No member of the LTIP Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made or taken by such member or the LTIP Committee in good faith with respect to the Plan.

ARTICLE IV

ELIGIBILITY

The Persons who shall be eligible to participate in the Plan and to receive Awards under the Plan shall be such Persons who are employees (including officers and directors) of the Company or its Subsidiaries, as





the LTIP Committee shall select. Awards may be made to employees who hold or have held Awards under the Plan or any similar or other awards under any other plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

ARTICLE V

PHANTOM UNITS AWARDS

5.1     Grant of Phantom Units Awards . Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the LTIP Committee shall designate those eligible employees to be granted Phantom Units Awards, the value of which is based on the value of the shares of Common Stock, as described in the Agreement. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, including any rules established pursuant to Section 5.2, Phantom Units Awards shall be subject to such terms, restrictions, conditions, vesting requirements and payment rules as the LTIP Committee may determine in its discretion, which need not be identical for each Phantom Units Award and shall be specified in the applicable Agreement.

5.2     Restrictions with Respect to Phantom Units Awards . A Phantom Units Award may not be assigned, sold, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered. A breach of any restrictions, terms or conditions provided in the Plan or established by the LTIP Committee with respect to any Phantom Units Award will cause a forfeiture of all Phantom Units subject to such Phantom Units Award and any Dividend Equivalents with respect thereto.

5.3     Issuance of Phantom Units . Phantom Units shall be evidenced by a bookkeeping account at the beginning of the Restriction Period, shall not constitute issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, and the Holder shall not have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock covered by a Phantom Units Award. The Holder may be entitled to receive Dividend Equivalents with respect to the shares of Common Stock covered thereby when such Phantom Units Award becomes vested, as the LTIP Committee may specify in the Agreement.

5.4     Completion of Restriction Period . On the Vesting Date with respect to each Phantom Units Award and the satisfaction of any other applicable restrictions, terms and conditions, (i) all or the applicable portion of such Phantom Units shall become vested, (ii) any unpaid Dividend Equivalents with respect to such Phantom Units shall become vested to the extent that the Phantom Units Awards related thereto shall have become vested, and (iii) the cash amount to be received by the Holder with respect to such Phantom Units shall become payable, all in accordance with the terms of the applicable Agreement. Any such Phantom Units and any unpaid Dividend Equivalents that shall not become vested shall be forfeited to the Company, and the Holder shall not thereafter have any rights with respect to such Phantom Units and any unpaid Dividend Equivalents that shall have been so forfeited.

ARTICLE VI

CASH AWARDS

6.1     Grant of Cash Awards . Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the LTIP Committee shall designate those eligible employees to be granted Cash Awards. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, including any rules established pursuant to Section 6.2, Cash Awards shall be subject to such terms, restrictions, conditions, vesting requirements and payment rules as the LTIP Committee may determine in its discretion, which need not be identical for each Cash Award and shall be specified in the applicable Agreement.






6.2     Restrictions with Respect to Cash Awards . A Cash Award may not be assigned, sold, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered. A breach of any restrictions, terms or conditions provided in the Plan or established by the LTIP Committee with respect to any Cash Award will cause a forfeiture of such Cash Award and any and all rights to payment thereunder.

6.3     Completion of Restriction Period . On the Vesting Date with respect to each Cash Award and the satisfaction of any other applicable restrictions, terms and conditions, (i) all or the applicable portion of such Cash Award shall become vested and (ii) the cash amount subject to such Cash Award shall become payable, all in accordance with the terms of the applicable Agreement. Any such Cash Award that shall not become vested shall be forfeited to the Company, and the Holder shall not thereafter have any rights with respect to such Cash Award that shall have been so forfeited.

ARTICLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

7.1     Acceleration of Awards .

(a) Death or Disability . If a Holder’s employment shall terminate by reason of death or Disability, notwithstanding any contrary Restriction Period in any Agreement or in the Plan, unless the applicable Agreement provides otherwise the Restriction Period applicable to each Award shall be deemed to have expired and all such Phantom Units and any unpaid Dividend Equivalents or cash amounts, as applicable, subject to such Award, shall become vested, and any related cash amounts payable with respect to a Phantom Units Award pursuant to the applicable Agreement shall be adjusted in such manner as may be provided in the Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, in the discretion of the LTIP Committee, an Award may provide that a Holder’s employment shall be deemed to have continued for purposes of the Award while a Holder provides services to the Company, any Subsidiary, any Affiliate, or any former affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary.

(b) Approved Transactions; Board Change; Control Purchase . In the event of any Approved Transaction, Board Change or Control Purchase, notwithstanding any contrary Restriction Period in any Agreement or in the Plan, unless the applicable Agreement provides otherwise the Restriction Period applicable to each Award shall be deemed to have expired and all such Phantom Units and any unpaid Dividend Equivalents or cash amounts, as applicable, subject to such Award, shall become vested, and any related cash amounts payable with respect to a Phantom Units Award pursuant to the applicable Agreement shall be adjusted in such manner as may be provided in the Agreement, in each case effective upon the Board Change or Control Purchase or immediately prior to consummation of the Approved Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Agreement, the LTIP Committee may, in its discretion, determine that any or all outstanding Awards of any or all types granted pursuant to the Plan will not vest or become exercisable on an accelerated basis in connection with an Approved Transaction if effective provision has been made for the taking of such action which, in the opinion of the LTIP Committee, is equitable and appropriate to substitute a new Award for such Award or to assume such Award and to make such new or assumed Award, as nearly as may be practicable, equivalent to the old Award (before giving effect to any acceleration of the vesting or exercisability thereof), taking into account, to the extent applicable, the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets into or for which the Common Stock may be changed, converted or exchanged in connection with the Approved Transaction.







7.2     Termination of Employment .

(a)     General . If a Holder’s employment shall terminate during the Restriction Period with respect to any Award, then the Holder’s rights to any unvested Phantom Units, unpaid Dividend Equivalents or cash amounts, as applicable, subject to such Award, may, in the discretion of the LTIP Committee, thereafter vest; provided, however , that, unless otherwise determined by the LTIP Committee and provided in the applicable Agreement, any termination of the Holder’s employment for cause will be treated in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.2(b).

(b)     Termination for Cause . If a Holder’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall be terminated by the Company for “cause” during the Restriction Period with respect to any Award (for these purposes, “cause” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in any employment agreement to which such Holder is a party or, in the absence thereof, shall include insubordination, dishonesty, incompetence, moral turpitude, other misconduct of any kind and the refusal to perform such Holder’s duties and responsibilities for any reason other than illness or incapacity; provided, however , that if such termination occurs within 12 months after an Approved Transaction or Control Purchase or Board Change, termination for “cause” shall mean only a felony conviction for fraud, misappropriation, or embezzlement), then, unless otherwise determined by the LTIP Committee and provided in the applicable Agreement, such Holder’s rights to all Phantom Units, unpaid Dividend Equivalents or cash amounts, as applicable, subject to such Award, shall be forfeited immediately.

(c)     Miscellaneous . The LTIP Committee may determine whether any given leave of absence constitutes a termination of employment; provided, however , that for purposes of the Plan, (i) a leave of absence, duly authorized in writing by the Company for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company if the period of such leave does not exceed 90 days, and (ii) a leave of absence in excess of 90 days, duly authorized in writing by the Company provided the employee’s right to reemployment is guaranteed either by statute or contract, shall not be deemed a termination of employment. Unless otherwise determined by the LTIP Committee and provided in the applicable Agreement, Awards made under the Plan shall not be affected by any change of employment so long as the Holder continues to be an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.

7.3     Right of Company to Terminate Employment . Nothing contained in the Plan or in any Award, and no action of the Company or the LTIP Committee with respect thereto, shall confer or be construed to confer on any Holder any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, as applicable, to terminate the employment of the Holder at any time, with or without cause, subject, however, to the provisions of any employment agreement between the Holder and the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, as applicable.

7.4     Adjustments .

(a)    If Ascent Capital subdivides its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock (by stock dividend, stock split, reclassification, or otherwise) or combines its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock (by reverse stock split, reclassification, or otherwise) or if the LTIP Committee determines that any stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, reclassification, recapitalization, reorganization, stock redemption, split-up, spin-off, combination, exchange of shares, warrants or rights offering to





purchase of Common Stock or other similar corporate event (including mergers or consolidations other than those which constitute Approved Transactions, adjustments with respect to which shall be governed by Section 7.1(b)) affects the Common Stock so that an adjustment is required to preserve the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the LTIP Committee, in such manner as the LTIP Committee, in its sole discretion, deems equitable and appropriate, shall make such adjustments to the number of Phantom Units subject to outstanding Phantom Units Awards and the underlying equity interest as to which the Phantom Units Award relates. The LTIP Committee may, if deemed appropriate, provide for a cash payment to any Holder of a Phantom Units Award in connection with any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7.4.

(b)    Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event of a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or liquidation of Ascent Capital, the LTIP Committee shall be authorized, in its discretion, (i) to provide, prior to the transaction, for the lapse of restrictions with respect to, any Award or (ii) to cancel any such Awards and to deliver to the Holders cash equal to the unpaid amount of any Cash Award or, in the case of Phantom Unit Awards, in an amount that the LTIP Committee shall determine in its sole discretion is equal to the fair market value of such Phantom Units Awards on the date of such event.

7.5     Nonalienation of Benefits . Except as set forth herein, no right or benefit under the Plan shall be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, hypothecation, pledge, exchange, transfer, garnishment, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, hypothecate, pledge, exchange, transfer, garnish, encumber or charge the same shall be void. No right or benefit hereunder shall in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of the Person entitled to such benefits.

7.6     Written Agreement . Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement, in such form as the LTIP Committee shall approve from time to time in its discretion, specifying the terms and provisions of such Award which may not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. Each grantee of an Award shall be notified promptly of such grant, and a written Agreement shall be promptly delivered by the Company. Any such written Agreement may contain (but shall not be required to contain) such provisions as the LTIP Committee deems appropriate to insure that the penalty provisions of Section 4999 of the Code will not apply to any cash received by the Holder from the Company. Any such Agreement may be supplemented or amended from time to time as approved by the LTIP Committee as contemplated by Section 7.9(b).

7.7     Designation of Beneficiaries . Each Person who shall be granted an Award under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries and may change such designation from time to time by filing a written designation of beneficiary or beneficiaries with the LTIP Committee on a form to be prescribed by it, provided that no such designation shall be effective unless so filed prior to the death of such Person

7.8     Nontransferability . Unless otherwise determined by the LTIP Committee and expressly provided for in an Agreement, Awards are not transferable (either voluntarily or involuntarily), before or after a Holder’s death, except as follows: (a) during the Holder’s lifetime, pursuant to a Domestic Relations Order, issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, that is not contrary to the terms and conditions of the Plan or any applicable Agreement, and in a form acceptable to the LTIP Committee; or (b) after the Holder’s death, by beneficiary designation as provided in Section 7.7. Any person to whom Awards are transferred in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence shall take such Awards subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and any applicable Agreement.






7.9     Termination and Amendment .

(a)     General . The Plan may be terminated at any time and may, from time to time, be suspended or discontinued or modified or amended if such action is deemed advisable by the LTIP Committee.

(b)     Modification . No termination, modification or amendment of the Plan may, without the consent of the Person to whom any Award shall theretofore have been granted, adversely affect the rights of such Person with respect to such Award. Nothing contained in the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.9(b) shall be construed to prevent the LTIP Committee from providing in any Agreement that the rights of the Holder with respect to the Award evidenced thereby shall be subject to such rules and regulations as the LTIP Committee may, subject to the express provisions of the Plan, adopt from time to time or impair the enforceability of any such provision.

7.10     Withholding . The Company shall have the right to deduct applicable taxes from any Award payment and withhold, at the time of delivery of cash under this Plan, an appropriate amount of cash for payment of taxes required by law or to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for withholding of such taxes, up to the maximum tax rate applicable to the individual, as determined by the LTIP Committee.

7.11     Clawback Policy . Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, any Award shall be subject to recovery or clawback by the Company under any clawback policy adopted by the Company whether before or after the date of grant the Award.

7.12     Nonexclusivity of the Plan . The adoption of the Plan by the Board shall not be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including the granting of stock options and the awarding of stock and cash otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

7.13     Exclusion from Other Plans . By acceptance of an Award, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Agreement, each Holder shall be deemed to have agreed that such Award is special incentive compensation that will not be taken into account, in any manner, as salary, compensation or bonus in determining the amount of any payment under any pension, retirement or other employee benefit plan, program or policy of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company. In addition, each beneficiary of a deceased Holder shall be deemed to have agreed that such Award will not affect the amount of any life insurance coverage, if any, provided by the Company on the life of the Holder which is payable to such beneficiary under any life insurance plan of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company.

7.14     Unfunded Plan . The Company shall not be required to segregate any cash which may at any time be represented by Awards, and the Plan shall constitute an “unfunded” plan of the Company. In its sole discretion, the Board may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations of the Company under the Plan, provided, however , that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the unfunded status of the Plan.

7.15     Governing Law . The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas.






7.16     Accounts . The payment of any amount in respect of an Award shall be for the account of the Company and any such payment shall not be made until the recipient shall have paid or made satisfactory arrangements for the payment of any applicable withholding taxes as provided in Section 7.10.

7.17     Company’s Rights . The grant of Awards pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or Ascent Capital to make reclassifications, reorganizations or other changes of or to its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, liquidate, sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its business or assets.

7.18     Section 409A . The Plan and the Awards made hereunder are intended to be (i) “short-term deferrals” exempt from Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder (“Section 409A”) or (ii) payments which are deferred compensation and paid in compliance with Section 409A, and the Plan and each Agreement shall be interpreted and administered accordingly. In the event an Award is not exempt from Section 409A, (x) payment pursuant to the relevant Agreement shall be made only on a permissible payment event or at a specified time in compliance with Section 409A, (y) no accelerated payment shall be made pursuant to Section 6.1(b) unless the Board Change, Approved Transaction or Control Purchase constitutes a “change in control event” under Treasury Regulations §1.409A-3(i)(5) or otherwise constitutes a permissible payment event under Section 409A and (z) no amendment or modification of such Award may be made except in compliance with the anti-deferral and anti-acceleration provisions of Section 409A. If a Holder is identified by the Company as a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) on the date on which such Holder has a “separation from service” (other than due to death) within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h), any Award payable or settled on account of a separation from service that is deferred compensation subject to Section 409A shall be paid or settled on the earliest of (1) the first business day following the expiration of six months from the Holder’s separation from service, (2) the date of the Holder’s death, or (3) such earlier date as complies with the requirements of Section 409A.

7.19     Excise Taxes . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, if the Holder is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), and the payments and benefits provided for under this Plan or any applicable Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits which the Holder has the right to receive from the Company or any of its Affiliates, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the payments and benefits provided for under this Plan shall be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total amounts and benefits received by the Holder from the Company and its Affiliates will be one dollar ($1.00) less than three times the Holder’s “base amount”(as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by the Holder shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or (b) paid in full, whichever produces the better net after-tax position to the Holder (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes). The determination as to whether any such reduction in the amount of the payments and benefits provided hereunder is necessary shall be made by a nationally recognized public accounting firm selected by the Company in good faith and approved by the Holder, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If a reduced payment or benefit is made or provided and through error or otherwise that payment or benefit, when aggregated with other payments and benefits from the Company (or its Affiliates) used in determining if a parachute payment exists, exceeds one dollar ($1.00) less than three times the Holder’s base amount, then the Holder shall immediately repay such excess to the Company upon notification that an overpayment has been made.






Exhibit 10.4

MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
2017 CASH INCENTIVE PLAN
2018 TIME-BASED PHANTOM UNITS AWARD AGREEMENT

THIS TIME-BASED PHANTOM UNITS AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of March 29, 2018 (the “Grant Date”), by Fred Graffam and between MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), and the person signing as “Grantee” on the signature page hereof (the “Grantee”).
The Company has adopted the Monitronics International, Inc. 2017 Cash Incentive Plan (as has been or may hereafter be amended, the “Plan”), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and by this reference made a part hereof, for the benefit of eligible employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement will have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
The LTIP Committee has determined that it would be in the interest of the Company to award phantom units to the Grantee, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth herein and in the Plan, and in order to provide the Grantee with additional remuneration for services rendered and to increase the Grantee’s personal interest in the continued success and progress of the Company and Ascent Capital.
The Company and the Grantee therefore agree as follows:
1. Definitions . The following terms, when used in this Agreement, have the following meanings:

“Cause” has the meaning specified in Section 6.2(b) of the Plan.
“Close of Business” means, on any day, 5:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas time.
“Fair Market Value” means (i) with respect to determining the value of the Phantom Units at the end of each Vesting Cycle, the five-day volume weighted average price of one share of Common Stock as reported on the consolidated transaction reporting system for the principal national securities exchange on which such shares of Common Stock are listed for the period beginning on the 16th trading day following the filing date of Ascent Capital’s annual report on Form 10-K in the relevant calendar year or (ii) with respect to determining the value of the Earned Phantom Units pursuant to Section 6 the five-day volume weighted average price of one share of Common Stock as reported on the consolidated transaction reporting system for the principal national securities exchange on which such shares of Common Stock are listed for the period beginning on the Grantee’s termination of employment. If the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock is not determinable by any of the foregoing means, or if no sales of shares actually occurred on such day, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the LTIP Committee on the basis of such quotations and other considerations as the LTIP Committee deems appropriate.
“Settlement Date” has the meaning specified in Section 4(a) of this Agreement.
“Termination With Good Reason” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in any employment agreement between the Grantee and the Company or its Affiliate. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Grantee is not party to an employment agreement with the Company or its Affiliate or if such agreement does not provide a definition for “good reason”, then the Grantee will not be eligible for any benefits provided under this Agreement with regard to a Termination With Good Reason.





“Vesting Cycle” means each of the 2018 Vesting Cycle, 2019 Vesting Cycle and 2020 Vesting Cycle.
2. Award . Pursuant to the terms of the Plan and in consideration of the covenants and promises of the Grantee herein contained, the Company hereby awards to the Grantee as of the Grant Date, 61,142 time-based Phantom Units, each representing the right to receive a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth below and in the Plan (the “Phantom Units”).

3.
Vesting; Forfeiture of Phantom Units .

(a) Subject to Section 6.4(b) of the Plan and to earlier vesting in accordance with Section 6, Phantom Units will be vested, in whole or in part, only in accordance with the conditions stated in this Section 3.

(b) Unless earlier vested pursuant to Section 6 or the Plan, the Phantom Units shall vest, in the following amounts on the following dates (each a “Vesting Date”):

(i)
one-third of the Phantom Units on the first anniversary of the Grant Date;

(ii)
one-third of the Phantom Units on the second anniversary of the Grant Date; and

(iii)
one-third of the Phantom Units on the third anniversary of the Grant Date;

provided, however, that the Grantee is continuously employed by the Company or any Subsidiary from the Grant Date through the Settlement Date (as defined below) for each of the above respective Vesting Dates. If the Grantee does not remain continuously employed by the Company or any Subsidiary until the Settlement Dates described below, then (except as provided in Section 4 or Section 6) all outstanding unvested Phantom Units will automatically be forfeited as of the Close of Business on such termination date and such Phantom Units and any related Dividend Equivalents will be immediately cancelled, and the Grantee will cease to have any rights with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any date on which vesting would otherwise occur is a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, such vesting will instead occur on the business day next following such date.
(c) Any Dividend Equivalents with respect to Phantom Units will become vested only to the extent that the Phantom Units related thereto shall have become vested in accordance with this Agreement.

4. Settlement of Phantom Units .

(a) The Fair Market Value of the Earned Phantom Units that vest in accordance with Section 3 and any related Dividend Equivalents shall be paid to the Grantee in a lump sum cash payment no later than fifteen (15) days following the 20th trading day following the filing date of Ascent Capital’s annual report on Form 10-K in each relevant calendar year (each such date, or the date provided pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 6, as applicable, a “Settlement Date”).

(b) In the event of Grantee’s termination without Cause or Termination With Good Reason, following a Committee Certification Date but prior to the applicable Settlement Date, then the Earned Phantom Units shall vest in accordance with Section 3 and shall be paid to the Grantee in accordance





with Section 4(a) as if the Grantee had been continuously employed by the Company or any Subsidiary from the Grant Date through the applicable Settlement Date.

5. Mandatory Withholding for Taxes . Grantee acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall deduct from the cash otherwise payable or deliverable upon each Settlement Date an amount of cash that is equal to the amount of all federal, state and local taxes required to be withheld by the Company upon such exercise, as determined by the LTIP Committee.

6. Early Termination or Vesting of Phantom Units .

Unless otherwise determined by the LTIP Committee in its sole discretion, and assuming Grantee’s achievement of the Key Performance Indicators prior to each of the following (other than with respect to Sections 6(a) and 6(b) herein), if the Grantee’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary terminates prior to the final Settlement Date:
(a) If the Grantee dies while employed by the Company or any Subsidiary, then each Phantom Unit that has not previously vested or forfeited pursuant to Section 3 will immediately become an Earned Phantom Unit and fully vested and shall inure to the benefit of the Beneficiary named on Exhibit B hereto;

(b) If the Grantee’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary terminates by reason of Disability, then each Phantom Unit that has not previously vested or forfeited pursuant to Section 3 will immediately become an Earned Phantom Unit and fully vested; and

(c) Subject to Section 4(b), if the Grantee’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated for Cause, or Grantee voluntarily resigns and does not have a Termination With Good Reason, then any unvested Phantom Units will be forfeited as of the Close of Business on the date of such termination of employment.

In the event of Grantee’s termination without Cause or Termination With Good Reason prior to the final Settlement Date, then the Grantee’s rights to any unvested Phantom Units or any portion thereof may, in the discretion of the LTIP Committee, thereafter vest and any such vesting and settlement will occur in a manner designed to maintain the short term deferral exemption under Section 409A. Unless the LTIP Committee otherwise determines, a change of the Grantee’s employment from the Company to a Subsidiary or an Affiliate or from a Subsidiary to the Company, another Subsidiary or an Affiliate will not be considered a termination of the Grantee’s employment for purposes of this Agreement. The Fair Market Value of the Earned Phantom Units that vest in accordance with Section 6 and any related Dividend Equivalents shall be paid to the Grantee in a lump sum cash payment no later than fifteen (15) days following the termination of Grantee’s employment.
7. Dividend Equivalents . The Grantee will have no right to receive, or otherwise with respect to, any Dividend Equivalents until such time, if ever, as the Phantom Units with respect to which such Dividend Equivalents relate shall have become earned and vested, and, if vesting does not occur, the related Dividend Equivalents will be forfeited. Dividend Equivalents shall not bear interest or be segregated in a separate account.

8. Notice . Unless the Company notifies the Grantee in writing of a different procedure or address, any notice or other communication to the Company with respect to this Agreement will be in writing and





will be delivered personally, electronically, or sent by United States first class mail, postage prepaid and addressed as follows:

Ascent Capital Group, Inc.
5251 DTC Parkway, Suite 1000
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Attn: General Counsel
With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Monitronics International, Inc.
1990 Wittington Place
Farmers Branch, Texas 75234
Attn: Chief People Officer
Any notice or other communication to the Grantee with respect to this Agreement will be in writing and will be delivered personally, electronically, or will be sent by United States first class mail, postage prepaid, to the Grantee’s address as listed in the records of the Company on the date of this Agreement, unless the Company has received written notification from the Grantee of a change of address.
9. Grantee Employment . Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action of the Company or the LTIP Committee with respect hereto, will confer or be construed to confer on the Grantee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate the Grantee’s employment at any time, with or without Cause, subject to the provisions of any employment agreement between the Grantee and the Company or any Subsidiary, as applicable.

10. Nonalienation of Benefits . Except as provided in Section 6.8 of the Plan, (a) no right or benefit under this Agreement will be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, hypothecation, pledge, exchange, transfer, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, hypothecate, pledge, exchange, transfer, encumber or charge the same will be void, and (b) no right or benefit hereunder will in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of the Grantee or other person entitled to such benefits.

11. Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Texas. Each party irrevocably submits to the general jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of Texas in any action to interpret or enforce this Agreement and irrevocably waives any objection to jurisdiction that such party may have based on inconvenience of forum.

12. Construction . References in this Agreement to “this Agreement” and the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and similar terms include all Exhibits and Schedules appended hereto, including the Plan. This Agreement is entered into, and the Award evidenced hereby is granted, pursuant to the Plan and will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Plan and the administrative interpretations adopted by the LTIP Committee thereunder. All decisions of the LTIP Committee upon questions regarding the Plan or this Agreement will be conclusive. Unless otherwise expressly stated herein, in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been included for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.






13. Duplicate Originals . The Company and the Grantee may sign any number of copies of this Agreement. Each signed copy will be deemed to be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

14. Rules by Committee . The rights of the Grantee and the obligations of the Company hereunder will be subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the LTIP Committee may adopt from time to time hereafter.

15. Entire Agreement . This Agreement is in satisfaction of and in lieu of all prior discussions and agreements, oral or written, between the Company and the Grantee, with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Grantee and the Company hereby declare and represent that no promise or agreement not expressed herein has been made and that this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the Award and replaces and makes null and void any prior agreements between the Grantee and the Company regarding the Award. Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.8 of the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, successors and assigns.

16. Grantee Acceptance . The Grantee shall signify acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement by signing in the space provided at the end hereof and returning a signed copy to the Company.

17. Code Section 409A Compliance . The grant of Phantom Units made hereunder is intended to be a “short-term deferral” exempt from Section 409A and the Plan and this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered accordingly. If any provision of this Agreement would result in the imposition of an excise tax under Section 409A that provision will be reformed to avoid imposition of the excise tax and no action taken to comply with Section 409A (or to provide that the Phantom Units are exempt from Section 409A) shall be deemed to impair a benefit under this Agreement.

[Signature Page Follows]





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date.
 
 
 
MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Title:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ACCEPTED:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grantee
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Address:






Exhibit A to Time-Based Phantom Unit Agreement
dated as of March 29, 2018 between
Monitronics International, Inc. and Grantee

Monitronics International, Inc. 2017 Cash Incentive Plan






Exhibit B to Time-Based Phantom Unit Agreement
dated as of March 29, 2018 between
Monitronics International, Inc. and Grantee

Designation of Beneficiary


I, __________ _______________ (the “Grantee”) hereby declare that upon my
death ____________________________ (the “Beneficiary”) of
Name
________________________________________________________ ,
Street Address              City      State      Zip Code
who is my ______________________________________ , will be entitled to the
Relationship to the Grantee

Phantom Units and all other rights accorded the Grantee by the above-referenced
grant agreement (the “Agreement”).

It is understood that this Designation of Beneficiary is made pursuant to the Agreement
and is subject to the conditions stated herein, including the Beneficiary’s survival of the
Grantee’s death. If any such condition is not satisfied, such rights will devolve according
to the Grantee’s will or the laws of descent and distribution.

It is further understood that all prior designations of beneficiary under the Agreement are
hereby revoked and that this Designation of Beneficiary may only be revoked in writing,
signed by the Grantee, and filed with the LTIP Committee prior to the Grantee’s death.

____________________________
Date
____________________________
Grantee





Exhibit 10.5
MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
2017 CASH INCENTIVE PLAN
2018 PERFORMANCE-BASED PHANTOM UNITS AWARD AGREEMENT

THIS PERFORMANCE-BASED PHANTOM UNITS AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of March 29, 2018 (the “Grant Date”), by Fred Graffam and between MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), and the person signing as “Grantee” on the signature page hereof (the “Grantee”).
The Company has adopted the Monitronics International, Inc. 2017 Cash Incentive Plan (as has been or may hereafter be amended, the “Plan”), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and by this reference made a part hereof, for the benefit of eligible employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement will have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
The LTIP Committee has determined that it would be in the interest of the Company to award phantom units to the Grantee, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth herein and in the Plan, and in order to provide the Grantee with additional remuneration for services rendered and to increase the Grantee’s personal interest in the continued success and progress of the Company and Ascent Capital.
The Company and the Grantee therefore agree as follows:
1. Definitions . The following terms, when used in this Agreement, have the following meanings:

“2018 Vesting Cycle” means the twelve (12) month period beginning on January 1, 2018.
“2019 Vesting Cycle” means the twelve (12) month period beginning on January 1, 2019.
“2020 Vesting Cycle” means the twelve (12) month period beginning on January 1, 2020.
“Cause” has the meaning specified in Section 6.2(b) of the Plan.
“Close of Business” means, on any day, 5:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas time.
“Committee Certification Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3(c) of this Agreement.
“Earned Phantom Unit” has the meaning specified in Section 3(c) of this Agreement.
“Fair Market Value” means (i) with respect to determining the value of the Phantom Units at the end of each Vesting Cycle, the five-day volume weighted average price of one share of Common Stock as reported on the consolidated transaction reporting system for the principal national securities exchange on which such shares of Common Stock are listed for the period beginning on the 16th trading day following the filing date of Ascent Capital’s annual report on Form 10-K in the relevant calendar year or (ii) with respect to determining the value of the Earned Phantom Units pursuant to Section 6 the five-day volume weighted average price of one share of Common Stock as reported on the consolidated transaction reporting system for the principal national securities exchange on which such shares of Common Stock are listed for the period beginning on the Grantee’s termination of employment. If the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock is not determinable by any of the foregoing means, or if no sales of shares actually occurred on such day, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the LTIP Committee on the basis of such quotations and other considerations as the LTIP Committee deems appropriate.

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“Key Performance Indicators” means the performance metrics as established by the LTIP Committee for each Vesting Cycle, which for the 2018 Vesting Cycle is set forth in Schedule 1 and for the 2019 Vesting Cycle and 2020 Vesting Cycle shall be provided to the Grantee prior to March 31st of 2019 and 2020, respectively.
“Settlement Date” has the meaning specified in Section 4(a) of this Agreement.
“Termination With Good Reason” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in any employment agreement between the Grantee and the Company or its Affiliate. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Grantee is not party to an employment agreement with the Company or its Affiliate or if such agreement does not provide a definition for “good reason”, then the Grantee will not be eligible for any benefits provided under this Agreement with regard to a Termination With Good Reason.
“Vesting Cycle” means each of the 2018 Vesting Cycle, 2019 Vesting Cycle and 2020 Vesting Cycle.
“Vesting Notification” has the meaning specified in Section 3(c) of this Agreement.
2. Award . Pursuant to the terms of the Plan and in consideration of the covenants and promises of the Grantee herein contained, the Company hereby awards to the Grantee as of the Grant Date, that number of performance-based Phantom Units set forth on Schedule 1, each representing the right to receive a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth below and in the Plan (the “Phantom Units”).

3.
Achievement of Key Performance Indicators; Vesting; Forfeiture of Phantom Units .

(a) Subject to Section 6.4(b) of the Plan and to earlier vesting in accordance with Section 6, Phantom Units will be earned and vested, in whole or in part, only in accordance with the conditions stated in this Section 3.

(b) Schedule 1 sets forth the maximum number of Phantom Units that may be earned based on the achievement and satisfaction of Key Performance Indicators, as determined and certified by the LTIP Committee.

(c) No later than forty-five (45) days following the end of each Vesting Cycle (each a “Committee Certification Date”), the LTIP Committee will measure the Grantee’s performance against the Key Performance Indicators. The LTIP Committee will then promptly notify (a “Vesting Notification”) the Grantee regarding the number of Phantom Units, if any, that have been earned (each, an “Earned Phantom Unit”) pursuant to this Section 3 as of such Committee Certification Date. If the Key Performance Indicators are satisfied with respect to such Vesting Cycle, up to 33.3% of the Phantom Units may be earned, subject to the LTIP Committee’s sole discretion and determination as of the Committee Certification Date. Any Phantom Units that remain outstanding and unearned as of each Committee Certification Date relating to the applicable Vesting Cycle will automatically be forfeited as of the Close of Business on such Committee Certification Date and such Phantom Units and any related Dividend Equivalents will be immediately cancelled, and the Grantee will cease to have any rights with respect thereto. All Phantom Units earned on a Committee Certification Date will vest in accordance with the schedule set forth in Section 3(d).

(d) Grantee will become vested, subject to continued employment until the Settlement Date (as defined below) following the end of the applicable Vesting Cycle, in any Earned Phantom Units, if the LTIP Committee delivers a Vesting Notification to the Grantee relating to such Vesting Cycle.

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(e) Any Dividend Equivalents with respect to Earned Phantom Units will become vested only to the extent that the Earned Phantom Units related thereto shall have become vested in accordance with this Agreement.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee will not vest, pursuant to this Section 3 (except as provided in Section 4 or Section 6), in Earned Phantom Units or related Dividend Equivalents which the Grantee would otherwise vest in with respect to each Settlement Date if the Grantee has not been continuously employed by the Company or any Subsidiary from the Grant Date through the applicable Settlement Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any date on which vesting would otherwise occur is a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, such vesting will instead occur on the business day next following such date.

4. Settlement of Phantom Units .

(a) The Fair Market Value of the Earned Phantom Units that vest in accordance with Section 3 and any related Dividend Equivalents shall be paid to the Grantee in a lump sum cash payment no later than fifteen (15) days following the 20th trading day following the filing date of Ascent Capital’s annual report on Form 10-K in each relevant calendar year (each such date, or the date provided pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 6, as applicable, a “Settlement Date”).

(b) In the event of Grantee’s termination without Cause or Termination With Good Reason, following a Committee Certification Date but prior to the applicable Settlement Date, then the Earned Phantom Units shall vest in accordance with Section 3 and shall be paid to the Grantee in accordance with Section 4(a) as if the Grantee had been continuously employed by the Company or any Subsidiary from the Grant Date through the applicable Settlement Date.

5. Mandatory Withholding for Taxes . Grantee acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall deduct from the cash otherwise payable or deliverable upon each Settlement Date an amount of cash that is equal to the amount of all federal, state and local taxes required to be withheld by the Company upon such exercise, as determined by the LTIP Committee.

6. Early Termination or Vesting of Phantom Units .
Unless otherwise determined by the LTIP Committee in its sole discretion, and assuming Grantee’s achievement of the Key Performance Indicators prior to each of the following (other than with respect to Sections 6(a) and 6(b) herein), if the Grantee’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary terminates prior to the final Settlement Date:
(a) If the Grantee dies while employed by the Company or any Subsidiary, then each Phantom Unit that has not previously vested or forfeited pursuant to Section 3 will immediately become an Earned Phantom Unit and fully vested and shall inure to the benefit of the Beneficiary named on Exhibit B hereto;

(b) If the Grantee’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary terminates by reason of Disability, then each Phantom Unit that has not previously vested or forfeited pursuant to Section 3 will immediately become an Earned Phantom Unit and fully vested; and

(c) Subject to Section 4(b), if the Grantee’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated for Cause, or Grantee voluntarily resigns and does not have a Termination With Good

3



Reason, then any unvested Phantom Units will be forfeited as of the Close of Business on the date of such termination of employment.

In the event of Grantee’s termination without Cause or Termination With Good Reason prior to the final Settlement Date, then the Grantee’s rights to any unvested Phantom Units or any portion thereof may, in the discretion of the LTIP Committee, thereafter vest and any such vesting and settlement will occur in a manner designed to maintain the short term deferral exemption under Section 409A. Unless the LTIP Committee otherwise determines, a change of the Grantee’s employment from the Company to a Subsidiary or an Affiliate or from a Subsidiary to the Company, another Subsidiary or an Affiliate will not be considered a termination of the Grantee’s employment for purposes of this Agreement. The Fair Market Value of the Earned Phantom Units that vest in accordance with Section 6 and any related Dividend Equivalents shall be paid to the Grantee in a lump sum cash payment no later than fifteen (15) days following the termination of Grantee’s employment.
7. Dividend Equivalents . The Grantee will have no right to receive, or otherwise with respect to, any Dividend Equivalents until such time, if ever, as the Phantom Units with respect to which such Dividend Equivalents relate shall have become earned and vested, and, if vesting does not occur, the related Dividend Equivalents will be forfeited. Dividend Equivalents shall not bear interest or be segregated in a separate account.

8. Notice . Unless the Company notifies the Grantee in writing of a different procedure or address, any notice or other communication to the Company with respect to this Agreement will be in writing and will be delivered personally, electronically, or sent by United States first class mail, postage prepaid and addressed as follows:
Ascent Capital Group, Inc.
5251 DTC Parkway, Suite 1000
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Attn: General Counsel
With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Monitronics International, Inc.
1990 Wittington Place
Farmers Branch, Texas 75234
Attn: Chief People Officer
Any notice or other communication to the Grantee with respect to this Agreement will be in writing and will be delivered personally, electronically, or will be sent by United States first class mail, postage prepaid, to the Grantee’s address as listed in the records of the Company on the date of this Agreement, unless the Company has received written notification from the Grantee of a change of address.
9. Grantee Employment . Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action of the Company or the LTIP Committee with respect hereto, will confer or be construed to confer on the Grantee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate the Grantee’s employment at any time, with or without Cause, subject to the provisions of any employment agreement between the Grantee and the Company or any Subsidiary, as applicable.


4



10. Nonalienation of Benefits . Except as provided in Section 6.8 of the Plan, (a) no right or benefit under this Agreement will be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, hypothecation, pledge, exchange, transfer, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, hypothecate, pledge, exchange, transfer, encumber or charge the same will be void, and (b) no right or benefit hereunder will in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of the Grantee or other person entitled to such benefits.

11. Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Texas. Each party irrevocably submits to the general jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of Texas in any action to interpret or enforce this Agreement and irrevocably waives any objection to jurisdiction that such party may have based on inconvenience of forum.

12. Construction . References in this Agreement to “this Agreement” and the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and similar terms include all Exhibits and Schedules appended hereto, including the Plan. This Agreement is entered into, and the Award evidenced hereby is granted, pursuant to the Plan and will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Plan and the administrative interpretations adopted by the LTIP Committee thereunder. All decisions of the LTIP Committee upon questions regarding the Plan or this Agreement will be conclusive. Unless otherwise expressly stated herein, in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been included for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

13. Duplicate Originals . The Company and the Grantee may sign any number of copies of this Agreement. Each signed copy will be deemed to be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

14. Rules by Committee . The rights of the Grantee and the obligations of the Company hereunder will be subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the LTIP Committee may adopt from time to time hereafter.

15. Entire Agreement . This Agreement is in satisfaction of and in lieu of all prior discussions and agreements, oral or written, between the Company and the Grantee, with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Grantee and the Company hereby declare and represent that no promise or agreement not expressed herein has been made and that this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the Award and replaces and makes null and void any prior agreements between the Grantee and the Company regarding the Award. Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.8 of the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, successors and assigns.

16. Grantee Acceptance . The Grantee shall signify acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement by signing in the space provided at the end hereof and returning a signed copy to the Company.

17. Code Section 409A Compliance . The grant of Phantom Units made hereunder is intended to be a “short-term deferral” exempt from Section 409A and the Plan and this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered accordingly. If any provision of this Agreement would result in the imposition of an excise tax under Section 409A that provision will be reformed to avoid imposition of the excise tax and no action taken to comply with Section 409A (or to provide that the Phantom Units are exempt from Section 409A) shall be deemed to impair a benefit under this Agreement.


5



[Signature Page Follows]

6



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date.
MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:     
Name:
Title:
ACCEPTED:
    
Grantee
Address:



    














7



Exhibit A to Performance-Based Phantom Unit Agreement
dated as of March 29, 2018 between
Monitronics International, Inc. and Grantee

Monitronics International, Inc. 2017 Cash Incentive Plan

































































8



Exhibit B to Time-Based Phantom Unit Agreement
dated as of March 29, 2018 between
Monitronics International, Inc. and Grantee

Designation of Beneficiary






















































9



Schedule 1
to
Monitronics Performance-Based Phantom Units Award Agreement

Vesting of Phantom Units Based on Key Performance Indicators



Total Number of Potential Maximum Phantom Units: 61,141
Key Performance Indicators for the 2018 Vesting Cycle :
Performance based value for 2018 will be determined on Pre-SAC Adjusted EBITDA. The target for 2018 is $331,358.

100% of LTIP units realized above the 98.5% target performance level of Pre-SAC Adjusted EBITDA.

75% of LTIP units realized above the 97.5% target performance level of Pre-SAC Adjusted EBITDA, up to 98.4%.

50% of LTIP units realized above the 96.5% target performance level of Pre-SAC Adjusted EBITDA, up to 97.4%.

Performance metric for future years will be determined in the first quarter of the upcoming year. For example, the 2019 metric for the 2020 payout will be determined in first quarter of 2019.
any of the 2015 Vesting Cycle, 2016 Vesting Cycle or 2017 Vesting Cycle.
“Vesting Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3(d) of this Agreement.
“Termination for Good Reason” has the meaning specified in the Amended Employment Agreement.
1. Award. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan and in consideration of the covenants and promises of the Grantee herein contained, the Company hereby awards to the Grantee as of the Grant Date, that number of performance-based Restricted Stock Units set forth on Schedule 1, each representing the right to receive one share of the Company’s Common Stock, as authorized by the Committee, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth below and in the Plan (the “Restricted Stock Units”). This Award of Restricted Stock Units granted to the Grantee under this paragraph 2 is subject to forfeiture in the event that the Grantee fails to execute and deliver the Amended Employment Agreement by December 31, 2015.
2. Achievement of Key Performance Indicators; Vesting; Forfeiture of Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Subject to Section 10.1(b) of the Plan and to earlier vesting in accordance with Section 6, Restricted Stock Units will be earned and vest, in whole or in part, only in accordance with the conditions stated in this Section 3.

10



(b) Schedule 1 sets forth the maximum number of Restricted Stock Units that may be earned based on the achievement and satisfaction of Key Performance Indicators, as determined and certified by the Committee.
(c) No later than sixty (60) days following the end of the 2015 Vesting Cycle and, if applicable, each of the 2016 Vesting Cycle and 2017 Vesting Cycle (each, a “Committee Certification Date”), the Committee will measure the Grantee’s performance against the Key Performance Indicators applicable to such vesting cycle. The Committee will then promptly notify (a “Vesting Notification”) the Grantee regarding the number of Restricted Stock Units, if any, that have been earned (each, an “Earned Restricted Stock Unit”) pursuant to this Section 3 as of the Committee Certification Date relating to such vesting cycle. If the Key Performance Indicators are satisfied with respect to the 2015 Vesting Cycle, 100% of the Restricted Stock Units will be earned, but, if the Key Performance Indicators are not so satisfied, all of the Restricted Stock Units will instead be available to be earned with respect to the 2016 Vesting Cycle. If the Key Performance Indicators with respect to the 2016 Vesting Cycle are not satisfied, all of the Restricted Stock Units will instead be available to be earned with respect to the 2017 Vesting Cycle. Any Restricted Stock Units that remain outstanding and unearned as of the Committee Certification Date relating to the 2017 Vesting Cycle will automatically be forfeited as of the Close of Business on such Committee Certification Date. Upon forfeiture of any unearned Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Section 2, this Section 3 or Section 6, such Restricted Stock Units and any related Unpaid Dividend Equivalents will be immediately cancelled, and the Grantee will cease to have any rights with respect thereto. All Restricted Stock Units earned on a Committee Certification Date will vest in accordance with the schedule set forth in Section 3(d).
(d) Grantee will become vested subject to continued employment until the applicable Vesting Date in any Earned Restricted Stock Units as follows (each date specified below being a “Vesting Date”):
(1)
20% of the Earned Restricted Stock Units shall vest in equal installments on each of May 31, 2017, August 31, 2017, November 30, 2017 and February 28, 2018, if the Committee delivers a Vesting Notification to the Grantee relating to the 2015 Vesting Cycle;
(2)
(x) 30% of the Earned Restricted Stock Units shall vest in equal installments on each of May 31, 2018, August 31, 2018, November 30, 2018 and March 1, 2019, if the Committee delivers a Vesting Notification to the Grantee relating to the 2015 Vesting Cycle or (y) 50% of the Earned Restricted Stock Units shall instead vest in equal installments on each of such dates if the Committee instead delivers a Vesting Notification to the Grantee relating to the 2016 Vesting Cycle; and
(3)
(x) 50% of the Earned Restricted Stock Units shall vest in equal installments on each of May 31, 2019, August 31, 2019, November 30, 2019 and February 28, 2020, if the Committee delivers a Vesting Notification to the Grantee relating to the 2015 Vesting Cycle or the 2016 Vesting Cycle or (y) 100% of the Earned Restricted Stock Units shall instead vest in equal installments on each of such dates if the Committee instead delivers a Vesting Notification to the Grantee relating to the 2017 Vesting Cycle;
provided, however, that in no event will Grantee become vested in more than 100% of the Earned Restricted Stock Units.

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(e) Any Dividend Equivalents with respect to Earned Restricted Stock Units that have not theretofore become Vested Dividend Equivalents (“Unpaid Dividend Equivalents”) will become vested only to the extent that the Earned Restricted Stock Units related thereto shall have become vested in accordance with this Agreement.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee will not vest, pursuant to this Section 3, in Earned Restricted Stock Units or related Unpaid Dividend Equivalents which the Grantee would otherwise vest in with respect to a given Vesting Date if the Grantee has not been continuously employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from the Grant Date through such Vesting Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any date on which vesting would otherwise occur is a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, such vesting will instead occur on the business day next following such date.
3. Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Settlement of Earned Restricted Stock Units or Accelerated Restricted Stock Units that vest in accordance with Section 3 or Section 6, respectively, shall be made as soon as administratively practicable after the applicable Vesting Date, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after such Vesting Date. Settlement of vested Earned Restricted Stock Units and Accelerated Restricted Stock Units shall be made in payment of shares of Common Stock, together with any related Dividend Equivalents, in accordance with Section 7.
4. Mandatory Withholding for Taxes. To the extent that the Company is subject to withholding tax requirements under any national, state, local or other governmental law with respect to the award of the Restricted Stock Units to the Grantee or the vesting or settlement thereof, or the designation of any Dividend Equivalents as payable or distributable or the payment or distribution thereof, the Grantee must make arrangement satisfactory to the Company to make payment to the Company or its designee of the amount required to be withheld under such tax laws, as determined by the Company (collectively, the “Required Withholding Amount”). To the extent such withholding is required, the Company shall withhold (a) from the shares of Common Stock represented by such vested Earned Restricted Stock Units or Accelerated Restricted Stock Units and otherwise deliverable to the Grantee a number of shares of Common Stock and/or (b) from any related Dividend Equivalents otherwise deliverable to the Grantee an amount of such Dividend Equivalents, which collectively have a value (or, in the case of securities withheld, a Fair Market Value) as of the date the obligation to withhold arises equal to the Required Withholding Amount, unless the Grantee remits the Required Withholding Amount to the Company or its designee in cash or shares of Common Stock and by such time as the Company may require or other provisions for withholding such amount satisfactory to the Company have been made. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the delivery of any shares of Common Stock represented by vested Earned Restricted Stock Units or Accelerated Restricted Stock Units and any related Dividend Equivalents may be postponed until any required withholding taxes have been paid to the Company.
5. Early Termination or Vesting of Restricted Stock Units.
Subject to Section 23 hereof, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, if the Grantee’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates prior to the last day of any applicable Vesting Cycle:  
(a) In the event of Grantee’s Termination Without Cause or Termination With Good Reason (each as defined in Grantee’s Employment Agreement), then a number of Restricted Stock Units granted by this Agreement will become vested on the date of the Grantee’s termination equal to (A) the product of (x) the number of Restricted Stock Units granted by this Agreement (without regard to any prior Vesting Dates) and (y) the number of calendar quarters which have elapsed between April 1, 2016 and the date of the Grantee’s termination (and will include, for the avoidance of doubt, the entire

12



calendar quarter of the Grantee’s termination) divided by sixteen (16) (with such quotient not to exceed one (1)), less (B) any Restricted Stock Units that have previously vested. Example: Assume Grantee’s employment terminates August 1, 2018. 35,928 Units (less any previously Vested Units) would be deemed earned e.g., April 1, 2016 - August 1 , 2018 = 10 quarters / 16 = 62.50% x 57,485 Units = 35,928 Units;
(b) If the Grantee dies while employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, then each Restricted Stock Unit will immediately become an Earned Restricted Stock Unit and fully vested;
(c) If the Grantee’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates by reason of Disability, then each Restricted Stock Unit will immediately become an Earned Restricted Stock Unit and fully vested; and
(d) If the Grantee’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary is terminated for Cause, or Grantee resigns without Good Reason then any unvested the Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited as of the Close of Business on the date of such termination of employment.
Unless the Committee otherwise determines, a change of the Grantee’s employment from the Company to a Subsidiary or from a Subsidiary to the Company or another Subsidiary will not be considered a termination of the Grantee’s employment for purposes of this Agreement. The Restricted Stock Units that vest pursuant to this Section 6 shall be referred to as “Accelerated Restricted Stock Units”.
6. Delivery by the Company. As soon as practicable after the vesting of Earned Restricted Stock Units, and any related Unpaid Dividend Equivalents, pursuant to Section 3 or Section 6 (but in no event later than sixty (60) days thereafter) and subject to the withholding referred to in Section 5, the Company will (a) register in a book entry account in the name of the Grantee, or cause to be issued and delivered to the Grantee (in electronic form), that number of shares of Common Stock represented by such vested Earned Restricted Stock Units and any securities representing any related Vested Dividend Equivalents, and (b) cause to be delivered to the Grantee any cash payment representing Vested Dividend Equivalents. Any delivery of securities will be deemed effected for all purposes when a statement of holdings reflecting such securities and, in the case of any Vested Dividend Equivalents, any other documents necessary to reflect ownership thereof by the Grantee, have been delivered personally to the Grantee or, if delivery is by mail, when the Company or its stock transfer agent has deposited the statement of holdings and/or such other documents in the United States mail, addressed to the Grantee. Any cash payment will be deemed effected when a check from the Company, payable to the Grantee and in the amount equal to the amount of the cash owed, has been delivered personally to the Grantee or deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the Grantee.
7. Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units, and any related Unpaid Dividend Equivalents that have not been earned or vested, are not transferable (either voluntarily or involuntarily) before or after the Grantee’s death, except as follows: (a) during the Grantee’s lifetime, pursuant to a domestic relations order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction that is not contrary to the terms and conditions of the Plan or this Agreement, and in a form acceptable to the Committee; or (b) after the Grantee’s death, by will or pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution, as may be the case. Any person to whom Restricted Stock Units are transferred in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence shall take such Restricted Stock Units subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, including that the vesting and termination provisions of this Agreement will continue to be applied with respect to the Grantee. Statements of holdings reflecting Restricted Stock Units that have been earned and vested may be delivered only to the Grantee (or during the Grantee’s lifetime, to the Grantee’s court appointed

13



legal representative) or to a person to whom the Restricted Stock Units have been transferred in accordance with this Section.
8. No Stockholder Rights; Dividend Equivalents. The Grantee will not be deemed for any purpose to be, or to have any of the rights of, a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Common Stock represented by any Restricted Stock Units unless and until such time as shares of Common Stock represented by vested Earned Restricted Stock Units or Accelerated Restricted Stock Units, as the case may be, have been delivered to the Grantee in accordance with Section 7, nor will the existence of this Agreement affect in any way the right or power of the Company or any stockholder of the Company to accomplish any corporate act, including, without limitation, any reclassification, reorganization or other change of or to its capital or business structure, merger, consolidation, liquidation or sale or other disposition of all or any part of its business or assets. The Grantee will have no right to receive, or otherwise with respect to, any Dividend Equivalents until such time, if ever, as (a) the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which such Dividend Equivalents relate shall have become earned and vested, or (b) such Dividend Equivalents shall have become Vested Dividend Equivalents as described herein, and, if vesting does not occur, the related Dividend Equivalents will be forfeited. Dividend Equivalents shall not bear interest or be segregated in a separate account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting of any portion of the Dividend Equivalents (any Dividend Equivalent that vests pursuant to Sections 3, 6 or this 9, “Vested Dividend Equivalents”). The settlement of any Vested Dividend Equivalents shall be made as soon as administratively practicable after the accelerated vesting date, but in no event later than sixty (60) days following the date on which such accelerated vesting date occurs. With respect to any Restricted Stock Units and Dividend Equivalents, the Grantee is a general unsecured creditor of the Company.
9. Adjustments; Early Vesting in Certain Events.
(a) The Restricted Stock Units will be subject to adjustment (including, without limitation, as to the number of Restricted Stock Units) in such manner as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems equitable and appropriate in connection with the occurrence of any of the events described in Section 4.2 of the Plan following the Grant Date.
(b) Subject to Section 23, in the event of any Approved Transaction, Board Change or Control Purchase following the Grant Date, the Restricted Stock Units may vest in accordance with Section 10.1(b) of the Plan.
10. Restrictions Imposed by Law. Without limiting the generality of Section 10.10 of the Plan, the Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock represented by vested Earned Restricted Stock Units, Accelerated Restricted Stock Units or Unpaid Dividend Equivalents if counsel to the Company determines that the issuance or delivery thereof would violate any applicable law or any rule or regulation of any governmental authority or any rule or regulation of, or agreement of the Company with, any securities exchange or association upon which shares of Common Stock or other applicable securities are listed or quoted. The Company will in no event be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the delivery of shares of Common Stock represented by vested Restricted Stock Units, Accelerated Restricted Stock Units or securities constituting or cash payment related to any Unpaid Dividend Equivalents to comply with any such law, rule, regulation, or agreement.
11. Notice. Unless the Company notifies the Grantee in writing of a different procedure or address, any notice or other communication to the Company with respect to this Agreement will be in writing and will be delivered personally or sent by United States first class mail, postage prepaid and addressed as follows:

Ascent Capital Group, Inc.

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5251 DTC Parkway, Suite 1000
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Attn: General Counsel
Any notice or other communication to the Grantee with respect to this Agreement will be in writing and will be delivered personally, or will be sent by United States first class mail, postage prepaid, to the Grantee’s address as listed in the records of the Company on the date of this Agreement, unless the Company has received written notification from the Grantee of a change of address.
12. Amendment. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, this Agreement may be supplemented or amended from time to time as approved by the Committee as contemplated by Section 10.9(b) of the Plan. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, without the consent of the Grantee,
(a) this Agreement may be amended or supplemented from time to time as approved by the Committee (i) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, (ii) to add to the covenants and agreements of the Company for the benefit of the Grantee or surrender any right or power reserved to or conferred upon the Company in this Agreement, subject to any required approval of the Company’s stockholders, and provided, in each case, that such changes or corrections will not adversely affect the rights of the Grantee with respect to the Award evidenced hereby, or (iii) to make such other changes as the Company, upon advice of counsel, determines are necessary or advisable because of the adoption or promulgation of, or change in the interpretation of, any law or governmental rule or regulation, including any applicable federal or state securities laws; and
(b) subject to any required action by the Board or the stockholders of the Company, the Restricted Stock Units granted under this Agreement may be canceled by the Committee and a new Award made in substitution therefor, provided, that the Award so substituted will satisfy all of the requirements of the Plan as of the date such new Award is made and no such action will adversely affect the Restricted Stock Units to the extent then earned or vested.
13. Grantee Employment. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action of the Company or the Committee with respect hereto, will confer or be construed to confer on the Grantee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate the Grantee’s employment at any time, with or without Cause, subject to the provisions of any employment agreement between the Grantee and the Company or any Subsidiary.
14. Nonalienation of Benefits. Except as provided in Section 8 and prior to vesting of the Earned Restricted Stock Units or Accelerated Restricted Stock Units, (a) no right or benefit under this Agreement will be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, hypothecation, pledge, exchange, transfer, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, hypothecate, pledge, exchange, transfer, encumber or charge the same will be void, and (b) no right or benefit hereunder will in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of the Grantee or other person entitled to such benefits.
15. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware. Each party irrevocably submits to the general jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of Delaware in any action to interpret or enforce this Agreement and irrevocably waives any objection to jurisdiction that such party may have based on inconvenience of forum.

15



16. Construction. References in this Agreement to “this Agreement” and the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and similar terms include all Exhibits and Schedules appended hereto, including the Plan. This Agreement is entered into, and the Award evidenced hereby is granted, pursuant to the Plan and will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Plan and the administrative interpretations adopted by the Committee thereunder. All decisions of the Committee upon questions regarding the Plan or this Agreement will be conclusive. Unless otherwise expressly stated herein, in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been included for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
17. Duplicate Originals . The Company and the Grantee may sign any number of copies of this Agreement. Each signed copy will be deemed to be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.
18. Rules by Committee. The rights of the Grantee and the obligations of the Company hereunder will be subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the Committee may adopt from time to time hereafter.
19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement is in satisfaction of and in lieu of all prior discussions and agreements, oral or written, between the Company and the Grantee, with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Grantee and the Company hereby declare and represent that no promise or agreement not expressed herein has been made and that this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the Award and replaces and makes null and void any prior agreements between the Grantee and the Company regarding the Award. Subject to the restrictions set forth in Sections 8 and 15, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, successors and assigns.
20. Grantee Acceptance. The Grantee shall signify acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement by signing in the space provided at the end hereof and returning a signed copy to the Company.
21. Code Section 409A Compliance. If any provision of this Agreement would result in the imposition of an excise tax under Section 409A of the Code and related regulations and Treasury pronouncements (“Section 409A”), that provision will be reformed to avoid imposition of the excise tax and no action taken to comply with Section 409A (or to provide that the Restricted Stock Units are exempt from Section 409A) shall be deemed to impair a benefit under this Agreement. If any portion of the benefits to be provided pursuant to this Agreement constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, then, to the extent required by Section 409A, if Grantee is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Seciton 409A, any amounts payable on account of Grantee’s separation from service will not be paid until the date that is six months and one day following such separation from service or, if earlier, the date of Grantee’s death.
22. Change in Control.
(a) If the Grantee’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries terminates and such termination constitutes a Termination With Good Reason (as such term is defined in the Amended Employment Agreement) or a Termination Without Cause (as such term is defined in the Amended Employment Agreement), and such termination occurs within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, all Restricted Stock Units and all related Unvested Dividend Equivalents held by the Grantee on the date of termination, to the extent not theretofore vested, will vest fully on the date of such termination.

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(b) For purposes of this Section 23, “Change in Control” means any of the following that otherwise meets the definition of a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control” or a “change in ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A:
(1)
the acquisition by any person or group (excluding John C. Malone and/or any family member(s) of John C. Malone and/or any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle controlled by such persons or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any of such persons (collectively, the “Permitted Holders”)) of ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock already held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company;
(2)
the acquisition by any person or group (other than the Permitted Holders), in a single transaction or in multiple transactions all occurring during the twelve (12)-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or group, assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or exceeding 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; or
(3)
the acquisition by any person or group (other than the Permitted Holders), in a single transaction or in multiple transactions all occurring during the twelve (12)-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or group, of ownership of stock of the Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of Company or the replacement of a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors during any twelve (12)-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors before the date of appointment or election.
23. Forfeiture for Misconduct and Repayment of Certain Amounts. If the Grantee holds the office of Vice President or above as of the Grant Date, and if (i) a material restatement of any financial statement of the Company (including any consolidated financial statement of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries) is required and (ii) in the reasonable judgment of the Committee, (A) such restatement is due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under applicable securities laws and (B) such noncompliance is a result of misconduct on the part of the Grantee, the Grantee will repay to the Company Forfeitable Benefits received by the Grantee during the Misstatement Period in such amount as the Committee may reasonably determine, taking into account, in addition to any other factors deemed relevant by the Committee, the extent to which the market value of Common Stock during the Misstatement Period was affected by the error(s) giving rise to the need for such restatement. “Forfeitable Benefits” means (i) any and all cash and/or shares of Common Stock received by the Grantee upon the vesting during the Misstatement Period of any Restricted Stock Units and Unvested Dividend Equivalents held by the Grantee and (ii) any proceeds received by the Grantee from the sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition during the Misstatement Period of any Restricted Stock Units and Unvested Dividend Equivalents received by the Grantee upon the vesting during the Misstatement Period of any Award held by the Grantee. By way of clarification, “Forfeitable Benefits” will not include any shares of Common Stock received upon vesting of any Restricted Stock Units and Unvested Dividend Equivalents during the Misstatement Period that are not sold, exchanged, transferred or otherwise disposed of during the Misstatement Period. “Misstatement

17



Period” means the twelve (12)-month period beginning on the date of the first public issuance or the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, whichever occurs earlier, of the financial statement requiring restatement.

[Signature Page Follows]


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date.



 
 
ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ William Fitzgerald
 
 
 
Name:
William Fitzgerald
 
 
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ACCEPTED:
 
 
 
 
/s/ William E. Niles
 
 
 
 
William E. Niles, Grantee
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Address:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SSN:



19


Exhibit 10.6


April 1, 2019


Fred Graffam
2500 N Houston St. #1904
Dallas, TX 75219


Retention Bonus Opportunity
Dear Fred:
As you know, Ascent Capital Group, Inc. (“ Ascent ”) has announced that it has initiated a process to consider potential strategic alternatives, including an investment in Ascent or in its subsidiary Brinks Home Security (“ BHS ”).
As a valued BHS employee, BHS hereby grants you a special bonus opportunity (the “ Retention Bonus Opportunity ”) to reward your continued service during the critical transition period while Ascent pursues strategic alternatives. Your aggregate Retention Bonus Opportunity is $250,000. The Retention Bonus Opportunity will be paid to you in cash on the first payroll date following the dates below, subject to your continued employment on such dates:
Within 15 days following the date hereof, one-third of the Retention Bonus Opportunity (the “ First Tranche ”),

January 1, 2020, one-third of the Retention Bonus Opportunity, and

July 1, 2020, one-third of the Retention Bonus Opportunity.

The Retention Bonus Opportunity will be subject to applicable taxes and withholding required by law. In addition, the Retention Bonus Opportunity is subject to the following additional terms and conditions:
In the event your employment is terminated by BHS without Cause, or by you for Good Reason (as defined in an applicable severance agreement (as defined below), and if and only if such agreement exists), prior to the date of payment of your entire Retention Bonus Opportunity, you will receive any amount of the Retention Bonus Opportunity that remains unpaid as of the date of your termination in a single cash lump sum within 30 days following such termination date, subject to your timely execution, delivery and non-revocation (if applicable) of a general release of claims in a form prescribed by BHS.

In the event of your death or a termination of your employment due to a long-term disability (as defined in an applicable long-term disability plan), you (or your estate or legal representative) will receive any amount of the Retention Bonus Opportunity that remains unpaid as of the date of your death or termination of your employment due to a long-term disability in a single cash lump sum within 30 days following the applicable date, subject to your (or your estate’s) timely execution, delivery and non-revocation (if applicable) of a general release of claims in a form prescribed by BHS.





In the event you voluntarily terminate your employment with BHS for any reason (other than, if you are party to a severance agreement, any resignation for “Good Reason”), you will forfeit any amount of the Retention Bonus Opportunity that remains unpaid as of the date of your termination. In addition, if your employment is terminated prior to July 1, 2019 either by BHS for Cause or by you for any reason (other than, if you are party to a severance agreement, any resignation for “Good Reason”), then you will not be entitled to retain the First Tranche and you agree to repay to BHS the First Tranche no later than ten days following your termination date.

The term Cause shall mean: (a) your continued failure or refusal (i) to substantially perform the material duties required of you and/or (ii) to comply with reasonable directions of BHS; (b) any material violation by you of any (i) policy, rule or regulation of BHS or (ii) any law or regulation applicable to the business of BHS; (c) your material act or omission constituting fraud, dishonesty or misrepresentation; (d) your gross negligence in the performance of your duties hereunder; (e) your conviction or commission of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any crime (whether or not involving BHS) which constitutes a felony or crime of moral turpitude, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall obligate BHS to pay any portion of the Retention Bonus Opportunity during any period that you are unable to perform your duties hereunder due to any incarceration, whether or not the circumstances relating to such incarceration would constitute “Cause” hereunder; or (f) any other misconduct by you that is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of, or is otherwise materially injurious to, BHS.

The term “severance agreement” means an applicable employment, severance or other agreement between you and the BHS, but only if such an agreement exists and contains severance payments and/or benefits upon a termination for Good Reason.

This Retention Bonus Opportunity will not be treated as salary or taken into account for purposes of determining any other compensation or benefits that may be provided to you, including any severance benefits or bonus.

You hereby agree that you will keep the terms of this letter agreement confidential, and will not, except as required by law, disclose such terms to any person other than your immediate family or legal or financial advisers (who also must keep the terms of this letter agreement confidential).

In the event the Retention Bonus Opportunity is subject to Section 280G or 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the amount of the Retention Bonus Opportunity or any other benefits or payments received or to be received by you (all such payments and benefits being referred to as the “Total Payments”) shall be reduced, unless otherwise determined by BHS, to the maximum amount that may be paid to you without penalty under such sections if such reduction would result in you retaining a greater after-tax amount (after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments) than if the Total Payments were received by you (after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of any tax under Section 4999 of the Code).

Any right to a series of installment payments pursuant to this letter agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no portion of the





Retention Bonus Opportunity shall be paid to you during the six-month period following your “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code if Ascent or BHS determines that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this letter agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then on the first business day following the end of such 6-month period (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A of the Code without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of your death), BHS shall pay you a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to you during such period.

We thank you for your dedicated service and look forward to your continued service during this exciting time.

 
Very truly yours,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
                                                                  
 
 
Name: Jeffery R. Gardner
 
 
Title: President & Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Acknowledged and accepted:
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
 
 
Fred Graffam
 
 





Exhibit 10.7
FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT

This Forbearance Agreement (this “ Forbearance ”) is entered into as of April 1, 2019 by and between Monitronics International, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “ Borrower ”), each other Loan Party to the Credit Agreement (as defined herein), Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) and certain Lenders party hereto.

RECITALS

A.    The Borrower is a party to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of March 23, 2012, by and among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and the Lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement and Consent dated as of November 7, 2012, Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement dated as of March 25, 2013, Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to Guaranty Agreement dated as of August 16, 2013, Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement dated as of February 17, 2015, Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement dated as of April 9, 2015, Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2016, and Amendment No. 7 to Credit Agreement dated as of December 29, 2016 (as so amended, the “ Credit Agreement ”).

B.    The Borrower has informed the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that it anticipates that as of April 1, 2019, certain Defaults or Events of Default will occur under the Credit Agreement (as detailed in Section 4 of this Forbearance, the “ Specified Defaults ”). The Borrower has requested a temporary forbearance on enforcement of the Specified Defaults.

C.    The Required Lenders are willing to temporarily forbear on enforcement of the Specified Defaults, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, and the undersigned Lenders hereby acknowledge, agree and consent to the following:

1.      Defined Terms . Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings, if any, assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

2.      Interpretation . The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.02 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Forbearance and are incorporated herein by this reference.

3.      Acknowledgment by the Borrower .

(a) The Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) as of April 1, 2019, the Specified Defaults will have occurred and be continuing; and (ii) should any Specified Defaults constitute or mature into, after the expiration of any applicable grace period under the Credit Agreement, an Event of Default, all Obligations under the Loan Documents could be declared immediately due and payable, and each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders would have full legal right to exercise any and all of their respective rights and remedies under the Loan Documents or otherwise available at law and in equity with respect thereto.

(b) Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that this Forbearance shall not in any manner limit or restrict any rights or remedies available to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, as amended hereby, or under applicable law as a result of any Default or Event of Default now or hereafter existing other than with respect to the Specified Defaults during the Forbearance Period (as defined herein). The Borrower agrees that its Obligations to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as evidenced by or otherwise arising under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan





Documents, except as expressly modified in this Forbearance upon the terms set forth herein, are, by the Borrower’s execution of this Forbearance, ratified and confirmed in all respects and the Borrower confirms that its Obligations under the Loan Documents are not subject to any claims or defenses whatsoever.

(c)    Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that this Forbearance is limited in time and scope and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Each Loan Party further acknowledges and agrees that on the Forbearance Termination Date the Specified Defaults shall be reinstated automatically, ab initio , without further action by the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to exercise all rights and remedies in respect thereof under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and applicable law.

4.     Forbearance . During the period (the “ Forbearance Period ”) commencing on the Forbearance Effective Date (as defined herein) and ending on the date (the “ Forbearance Termination Date ”) which is the earliest to occur of (a) April 30, 2019, (b) the failure to meet any Milestone (as defined in Section 8 hereof); (c) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement (other than the Specified Defaults), (d) the failure of the Borrower to comply with any of the requirements of Section 6 or Section 7 hereof, (e) the acceleration of the 9.125% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Notes ”) issued pursuant to that certain Indenture dated as of March 23, 2012 (the “ Notes Indenture ”) by and among the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “ Notes Trustee ”), or (f) any action by the Notes Trustee and/or any holder of the Notes to exercise rights or remedies pursuant to the Notes Indenture after an Event of Default (as defined in the Notes Indenture), the Required Lenders hereby forbear upon enforcement of:

(a) the requirement of Section 6.01(a) of the Credit Agreement that the report and opinion of Ernst & Young, KPMG or another independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders delivered with respect to the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and the related consolidated statement of income or operations, and consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for such fiscal year, not include an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about the ability of the Borrower or any Loan Party to continue as a going concern or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit; and

(b) any Default or Event of Default under Section 8.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, resulting from the Borrower’s failure to make the interest payment due on April 1, 2019 under the Senior Unsecured Notes.

Upon the Forbearance Termination Date, (i) the forbearance set forth in this Section 4 of this Forbearance shall terminate automatically and be of no further force or effect, and (ii) subject to the terms of the Loan Documents and applicable law, the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be free in its sole and absolute discretion, without limitation, to proceed to enforce any or all of its rights and remedies set forth in the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and applicable law. In furtherance of the foregoing, and notwithstanding the occurrence of the Forbearance Effective Date, each Loan Party acknowledges and confirms that, subject to the Forbearance, all rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Loan Documents and applicable law with respect to the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall continue to be available to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. For the avoidance of doubt, each Loan Party acknowledges and confirms that the agreement of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders signatory hereto temporarily to forbear shall not apply to nor preclude any remedy available to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with any proceeding commenced under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, including, without limitation, to any relief in respect of adequate protection or relief from any stay imposed under such law. The parties hereto agree that the running of all statutes of limitation and the doctrine of laches applicable to all claims or causes of action that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be entitled to take or bring in order to enforce its rights and remedies against the Borrower or any other Loan Party are, to the fullest extent permitted by law, tolled and suspended during the Forbearance Period. For the avoidance of doubt, no grace period or period required for a Default to mature or become an Event of Default shall be tolled or suspended by this Forbearance.






5.     Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness . This Forbearance shall become effective on the
date (the “ Forbearance Effective Date ”) upon which each of the conditions precedent set forth below have been satisfied:

(a) the Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received a counterpart of this Forbearance signed by each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders.

(b) immediately after giving effect to the forbearance included in Section 4 hereof, the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects (or with respect to representations and warranties qualified by materiality, in all respects) on and as of the Forbearance Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date in all material respects (or with respect to representations and warranties qualified by materiality, in all respects), except that the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.05(a) and (b) of the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b) of the Credit Agreement, respectively.

(c) Payment in full of all outstanding reasonable and documented fees and expenses of advisors to the Term B-2 Lenders (including Jones Day, Evercore, and Michael Snyder and Steve Gribbon) upon receipt of invoices.

6.     Agreements of the Loan Parties . The Loan Parties acknowledge and agree that the
forbearance upon enforcement of the Specified Defaults is of immediate and material benefit, financial and otherwise, to the Loan Parties, and that neither the Administrative Agent nor the Required Lenders were or are under any obligation to enter into this Forbearance. In consideration of the Administrative Agent’s and the Required Lenders’ willingness to temporarily waive the Specified Defaults on the terms and conditions herein, the Loan Parties agree that, from and after the date hereof, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Credit Agreement and notwithstanding any termination or expiration of the Forbearance Period, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled, either directly or indirectly through its counsel, to retain a financial advisor for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lenders who are not also Term B-2 Lenders, with the Loan Parties agreeing to cooperate with and provide financial information to such financial advisor and to reimburse the Administrative Agent, upon demand therefor, for the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of such financial advisor (it being acknowledged and agreed that all such reasonable and documented fees and expenses of the Administrative Agent’s counsel and any such financial advisor shall constitute Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

7.     Additional Covenants . The Borrower covenants and agrees that:

(a) it shall fully cooperate with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and shall promptly provide all information, reports and statements reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including by providing all information and/or documents that the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders, as applicable, deems in its or their reasonable discretion sufficient to satisfy the information requests submitted to the Company by the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders signatory hereto prior to the date hereof.

(b) The maximum principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Borrowings and L/C Borrowings shall not, at any time during the Forbearance Period, exceed $195,000,000.

(c) If the Milestone in Section 8(b) hereof is not met, the Borrower shall, commencing on April 13, 2019, pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations under the Credit Agreement at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

8.     Milestones. The Borrower agrees to the following milestones (each, a “ Milestone ”)






(a) The Borrower agrees to deliver to Jones Day, Evercore and Morgan Lewis drafts of applicable first day motions, including, without limitation, a proposed order governing the use of cash collateral and/or any motion for approval of DIP financing, as such drafts are completed and at least five (5) business days in advance of any bankruptcy filing.

(b) No later than 5:00 p.m. (New York Time) on April 12, 2019, the Borrower shall have entered into a restructuring support agreement acceptable to holders of at least 50% of the outstanding Term B-2 Loans, in their sole discretion.

9.     Reference to and Effect Upon the Credit Agreement . The Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect, and are hereby ratified and confirmed, except, in each case, as expressly modified by this Forbearance. Nothing in this Forbearance shall be interpreted as, or deemed to entitle any Loan Party to, any other forbearance, or waiver, consent, amendment or other modification of any of the terms, conditions, representations, warranties or covenants contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances. This Forbearance shall constitute a Loan Document for all purposes as of the Forbearance Effective Date and all references to the Credit Agreement in any Loan Document and all references in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall, unless expressly provided otherwise, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, after giving effect to this Forbearance.

10.     Effect and Construction of Forbearance . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms, and neither this Forbearance nor the making of any Loans or other Credit Extensions simultaneously herewith or subsequent hereto shall be construed to: (i) impair the validity, perfection or priority of any lien or security interest securing the Obligations; (ii) waive or impair any rights, powers or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents upon the Forbearance Termination Date, with respect to the Specified Defaults or otherwise; (iii) constitute an agreement by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders or require the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to extend the Forbearance Period or further forbear from exercising its rights and remedies under the Credit Agreement, the Loan Documents or applicable law, extend the term of the Credit Agreement or the time for payment of any of the Obligations; (iv) require the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to make any Loans or other Credit Extensions to the Borrower after the occurrence of the Forbearance Termination Date, other than in the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ sole and absolute discretion; or (v) constitute a forbearance or waiver of any right of the Administrative Agent’s or the Lenders to insist on strict compliance by the Borrower with each and every term, condition and covenant of this Forbearance and the Loan Documents, except as expressly otherwise provided herein.

11.     Representations, Warranties, Covenants and Acknowledgments; Release . To induce the Administrative Agent and Lenders to enter into this Agreement:

(a) Each Loan Party represents and warrants that, upon and after giving effect to this Forbearance, (i) except for the Specified Defaults, each of the representations and warranties made by it under the Loan Documents, other than representations and warranties that speak as of an earlier specified date, are true and correct in all material respects (other than to the extent that any representation and warranty is already qualified as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect”, in which case, such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects), (ii) it has the power and authority and is duly authorized to enter into, deliver and perform this Forbearance, (iii) this Forbearance, the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party is the legal, valid and binding obligation thereof, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or in law), (iv) the execution, delivery and performance of this Forbearance in accordance with its terms do not and will not, with the passage of time, the giving of notice or otherwise: (A) require approval of any Governmental Authority or violate any applicable law relating thereto; (B) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under (1) the articles or certificate of incorporation or organization or by-laws or operating agreement thereof; (2) any indenture, material agreement or





other material instrument to which it is a party or by which any of its properties may be bound, or (3) any approval of a Governmental Authority relating thereto; or (C) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property now owned or hereafter acquired by it other than Permitted Liens and (v) there exists no Default or Event of Default (other than the Specified Defaults);

(b) Each Loan Party (i) agrees that this Forbearance is not intended to be, and is not, a novation of any of the Loan Documents or any of the Obligations thereunder and does hereby ratify, confirm and reaffirm each of the agreements, covenants, and undertakings made by it under the Credit Agreement and each and every other Loan Document executed by it in connection therewith or pursuant thereto, in each case, as modified by this Forbearance, as if such Loan Party were making said agreements, covenants and undertakings on the effective date hereof, except with respect to such agreements, covenants and undertakings which, by their express terms, are applicable only to a prior specified date, (ii) ratifies and confirms all of its Obligations to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (iii) confirms that the Obligations are and remain secured pursuant to the Collateral Documents and pursuant to all other instruments and documents executed and/or delivered by the Loan Parties, as security for the Obligations; and

(c) On and as of the date of this Forbearance, and as a material inducement to the Administrative Agent and Lenders entering into this Forbearance, each Loan Party, on behalf of itself and its respective successors and assigns and legal representatives, hereby forever releases and discharges the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders and any and all of the Administrative Agent’s and such Lender’s attorneys, agents, servants, predecessors, successors, assigns and assignors, officers, directors and shareholders, jointly and severally, from any and all claims, rights of offset, defenses, counterclaims, objections, demands, controversies, actions, causes of actions, obligations, liabilities, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees and damages of whatsoever nature and kind, in law or in equity, past or present, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, from the beginning of time to the date hereof, pertaining to this Forbearance, the Credit Agreement, the Collateral Documents, and the Obligations.

12.      Costs and Expenses .      The Borrower hereby affirms its obligation under Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement to reimburse the Administrative Agent for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Forbearance, including but not limited to the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent with respect thereto.

13.      Governing Law; etc. This Forbearance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York. This Forbearance is subject to the provisions of Sections 10.14 and 10.15 of the Credit Agreement relating to submission to jurisdiction, venue, service of process and waiver of right to trial by jury, the provisions which are by this reference incorporated herein in full.

14.      Headings . Section headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

15.      Counterparts . This Forbearance may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Forbearance by telecopy or other electronic imaging means (including “.pdf”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Forbearance.

16.      Severability . If any provision of this Forbearance or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Forbearance and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.






17.      Entire Agreement . This Forbearance sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the forbearance upon enforcement of the Specified Defaults as set forth herein and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties hereto relating to such forbearance. No representation, promise, inducement or statement of intention has been made by any party that is not embodied in this Forbearance, and no party shall be bound by or liable for any alleged representation, promise, inducement or statement of intention not set forth herein.

[signature pages follow]






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Second Amendment as of the date and year first above written.
 
MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ William E. Niles
 
 
Name: William E. Niles
 
 
Title: Executive Vice President and Secretary

[Signature page Forbearance Agreement]








[BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.]

[Signature page Forbearance Agreement]







[CONSENTING LENDER]

[Signature page Forbearance Agreement]





Exhibit 10.8
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT

This Amendment No. 2 to the Forbearance Agreement (this “ Second Amendment ”) is entered into as of April 24, 2019 by and between Monitronics International, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “ Borrower ”), each other Loan Party to the Credit Agreement, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) and certain Lenders party hereto (collectively, the “ Parties ”).
RECITALS
A.    On April 1, 2019, the Parties entered into that certain Forbearance Agreement (as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated April 12, 2019, between the Parties, the “ Forbearance Agreement ”), under which the Required Lenders agreed to temporarily forbear on enforcement of the Specified Defaults, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Forbearance Agreement.
B.      The Forbearance Agreement contains a milestone that provides that no later than 5:00 p.m. (New York Time) on April 24, 2019 (the “ RSA Deadline ”), the Borrower shall have entered into a restructuring support agreement acceptable to holders of at least 50% of the outstanding Term B-2 Loans, in their sole discretion (the “ RSA Milestone ”). In the event that the RSA Milestone is not satisfied by the RSA Deadline, the Forbearance Period terminates pursuant to the terms of the Forbearance Agreement. The Forbearance Agreement further provided that, if the RSA Milestone is not satisfied by the RSA Deadline, the Borrower shall, commencing on April 24, 2019, pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations under the Credit Agreement at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law (the “ Default Interest Provision ”).
C.      The Parties hereby desire to further extend the RSA Deadline to no later than 5:00 p.m. (New York Time) on April 30, 2019, while making clear that the Default Interest Provision is triggered as of April 24, 2019 in accordance with the Forbearance Agreement.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, and the undersigned Lenders hereby acknowledge, agree and consent to the following:
1. Defined Terms . Except as defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings, if any, assigned to such terms in the Forbearance Agreement.

2. Interpretation . The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.02 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Second Amendment and are incorporated herein by this reference.

3. Amendments .

(a)    Section 7(c) of the Forbearance Agreement is replaced in its entirety and further amended as follows:

“(c)      Commencing on April 24, 2019, the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations under the Credit Agreement at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that the milestone in Section 8(b) is not satisfied, the obligation to pay interest on the terms set forth in the prior sentence shall survive the Forbearance Termination Date and shall continue to apply until such date as the Borrower shall have entered into a restructuring support agreement acceptable to holders of at least 50% of the outstanding Term B-2 Loans, in their sole discretion.”





(b)    Section 8(b) of the Forbearance Agreement is replaced in its entirety and further amended as follows:

“(b)      No later than 5:00 p.m. (New York Time) on April 30, 2019, the Borrower shall have entered into a restructuring support agreement acceptable to holders of at least 50% of the outstanding Term B-2 Loans, in their sole discretion.”
4.     Other Terms. Except as expressly set forth herein, all other terms of the Forbearance Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and nothing in this Second Amendment shall be construed as modifying or amending any such terms unless otherwise expressly provided herein.

5.     Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness . This Second Amendment shall become effective on the date (the “ Second Amendment Effective Date ”) upon which each of the conditions precedent set forth below have been satisfied:

(a) the Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received a counterpart of this Second Amendment signed by each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders.

(b) after giving effect to the forbearance under the Forbearance Agreement, the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects (or with respect to representations and warranties qualified by materiality, in all respects) on and as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date in all material respects (or with respect to representations and warranties qualified by materiality, in all respects), except that the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.05(a) and (b) of the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b) of the Credit Agreement, respectively.

6.     Counterparts . This Second Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Second Amendment by telecopy or other electronic imaging means (including “.pdf”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Second Amendment.

[signature pages follow]






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Second Amendment as of the date and year first above written.
 
MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ William E. Niles
 
 
Name: William E. Niles
 
 
Title: Executive Vice President and Secretary

[Signature page to Amendment No. 2 to Forbearance Agreement]








[BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.]

[Signature page to Amendment No. 2 to Forbearance Agreement]







[CONSENTING LENDER]

[Signature page to Amendment No. 2 to Forbearance Agreement]







Exhibit 31.1
 
CERTIFICATION
 
I, William E. Niles, certify that:
 
1.                                       I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ascent Capital Group, Inc.;
 
2.                                       Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;
 
3.                                       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;
 
4.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer 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 we 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 quarterly 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 quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)              disclosed in this quarterly 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; and
 
5.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer 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:
May 14, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ William E. Niles
 
William E. Niles
 
Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
 




Exhibit 31.2
 
CERTIFICATION
 
I, Fred A. Graffam, certify that:
 
1.                                       I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ascent Capital Group, Inc.;
 
2.                                       Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;
 
3.                                       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;
 
4.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer 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 we 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 quarterly 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 quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)              disclosed in this quarterly 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; and
 
5.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer 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:
May 14, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Fred A. Graffam
 
Fred A. Graffam
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 





Exhibit 32
 
Certification
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)
 
Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of Ascent Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:
 
The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2019 (the “Form 10-Q”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 .
 
 
Dated:
May 14, 2019
 
/s/ William E. Niles
 
 
 
William E. Niles
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
 
 
 
 
Dated:
May 14, 2019
 
/s/ Fred A. Graffam
 
 
 
Fred A. Graffam
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Form 10-Q or as a separate disclosure document.