CBS Local Digital Media operates CBS local websites, which combine local radio and television content within markets where both CBS Radio and CBS television stations operate. CBS and Entercom entered into an agreement, pursuant to which CBS Local Digital Media will continue to operate the digital presences for CBS Radio’s Sports and news Stations and CBS television stations (the “Joint Digital Sales Agreement”). The Joint Digital Sales Agreement represents a collaborative agreement between CBS and Entercom, providing for the sharing of revenues, costs and content, in connection with the operation of the CBS local websites.
Pursuant to an agreement executed by and between CBS Broadcasting, CBS Mass Media Corporation and other subsidiaries of CBS (together, the “Licensors”), Entercom Media Corp. and certain subsidiaries of Entercom Media Corp., as the licensees, Entercom Media Corp. will have the right to continue to use certain licensed trademarks and related property to operate various Entercom Media Corp. stations, subject to the terms and conditions of this license agreement (the “Trademark License Agreement (TV Station Brands)”). Pursuant to an agreement executed by and between CBS Broadcasting as licensor, CSTV Networks, Inc. d/b/a CBS Sports Network, on the one hand, and CBS Sports Radio Network Inc. and Entercom Media Corp., on the other hand as the licensees, the licensees will have the right to continue to use the CBS SPORTS RADIO trademark in connection with the CBS Sports Radio network and certain marketing and promotional uses (the “Trademark License Agreement (CBS SPORTS RADIO Brand)” and, together with the Trademark License Agreement (TV Station Brands), the “Trademark License Agreements”).
Concurrently with the execution of the CBS Radio Merger Agreement, Entercom and Joseph M. Field, who held a controlling voting interest in Entercom, entered into a Voting Agreement dated as of February 2, 2017 (the “Voting Agreement”). Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, Mr. Field committed to vote in favor of the issuance of shares of Entercom Class A Common Stock in the Merger, an amendment to Entercom’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (“Entercom Articles”) to provide that the Entercom board of directors will be classified after the Merger and not to tender into or vote for any alternative proposal for one year after the termination of the CBS Radio Merger Agreement (but only through the termination provisions as identified in the Voting Agreement).
Together, the Tax Matters Agreement (defined below), the Transition Service Agreement, the Joint Digital Services Agreement and the Trademark License Agreements are referred to as the “Ancillary Agreements.” The Ancillary Agreements together with the Voting Agreement, the Side Letter, CBS Radio Merger Agreement and the Separation Agreement, are referred to as the “Transaction Agreements”.
The opinions of counsel were based upon and relied on, among other things, current law, certain facts and assumptions, as well as certain representations, statements, and undertakings of CBS, CBS Radio (now Entercom Media Corp.), Entercom, and Merger Sub, including those relating to the past and future conduct of CBS, CBS Radio, Entercom, and Merger Sub. If any of these representations, statements or undertakings are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete, or if CBS, Entercom Media Corp., Entercom, or Merger Sub breaches any of its covenants in the Transaction Agreements, the opinions of counsel may be invalid and the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized. Notwithstanding the opinions of counsel, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) could determine that the Final Distribution and/or the Merger should be treated as a taxable transaction if it determines that any of the facts, assumptions, representations, statements or undertakings upon which the opinions of counsel were based are false or have been violated, or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinions of counsel. The opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert a contrary position.
If the Final Distribution fails to qualify as a transaction that istax-free, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, under Section 355 of the Code, in general, CBS would recognize taxable gain as if it had sold the Radio Common Stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value, and holders of CBS Common Stock who received shares of Radio Common Stock in the Final Distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such shares.
Even if the Final Distribution were to otherwise qualify as atax-free transaction under Section 355 of the Code, the Final Distribution or either Internal Distribution would be taxable to CBS (but not to CBS stockholders) pursuant to Section 355(e) of the Code if there is a 50% or greater change in ownership of either CBS or CBS Radio (including stock of Entercom after the Merger), directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related transactions that include the Final Distribution or such Internal Distribution, as applicable. For this purpose, any acquisitions of CBS or CBS Radio stock (including stock of Entercom after the Merger) within the period beginning two years before the Final Distribution or such Internal Distribution, as applicable, and ending two years after the Final Distribution or such Internal Distribution, as applicable, are presumed to be part of such a plan, although CBS may be able to rebut that presumption. Further, for purposes of this test, the Merger will be treated as part of such a plan, but the Merger standing alone should not cause the Final Distribution or either Internal Distribution to be taxable to
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