Exhibit 5.1
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| | 601 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10022 (212) 446-4800 www.kirkland.com | | Facsimile: (212) 446-4900 |
April 17, 2018
Charter Communications Operating, LLC
Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp.
400 Atlantic Street, 10th Floor
Stamford, Connecticut 06901
| | Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are issuing this opinion letter in our capacity as special legal counsel to Charter Communications Operating, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CCO”), Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation (“CCO Capital” and, together with CCO, the “Issuers”), CCO Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and each of the other entities listed on Exhibit A hereto (together with the Company, the “Guarantors”) in connection with the issuance and sale by the Issuers of (i) $800,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2038 (the “2038 Notes”) and (ii) $1,700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2048 (together with the 2038 Notes, the “Notes”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which are guaranteed by the Guarantors (the “Guarantees”).
The companies listed onExhibit A hereto under the headings “Delaware Guarantors” and “California Guarantors” are collectively referred to herein as the “Delaware and California Guarantors.”
In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion, including (i) the certificates of incorporation, certificates of formation, bylaws, limited liability agreements, partnership agreements and other organizational documents of the Issuers and the Delaware and California Guarantors, as applicable, (ii) the registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-222241) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on December 22, 2017 (the “Registration Statement”), (iii) the indenture, dated July 23, 2015 (the “Base Indenture”), by and among the Issuers, CCO Safari II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”) and as collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”), as supplemented by the ninth supplemental indenture thereto, dated as of the date hereof (together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), by and among the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, and (iv) copies of the Notes.
Beijing Boston Chicago Hong Kong Houston London Los Angeles Munich Palo Alto San Francisco Shanghai Washington, D.C.
April 17, 2018
Page 2
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the parties thereto other than the Issuers and the Delaware and California Guarantors, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto other than the Issuers and the Delaware and California Guarantors. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that we have not independently established or verified, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Issuers and the Guarantors.
Our opinion expressed below is subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of (i) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar law affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principals of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) public policy considerations that may limit the rights of parties to obtain certain remedies.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion that (i) the Notes have been duly authorized and are binding obligations of the Issuers and (ii) the Guarantees have been duly authorized and are binding obligations of the Guarantors.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with the sale of the Notes. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Our advice on every legal issue addressed in this letter is based exclusively on the internal law of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act and the California Uniform Limited Partnership Act and represents our opinion as to how that issue would be resolved were it to be considered by the highest court in the jurisdiction which enacted such law. The manner in which any particular issue relating to the opinions would be treated in any actual court case would depend in part on facts and circumstances particular to the case and would also depend on how the court involved chose to exercise the wide discretionary authority generally available to it. We are not qualified to
April 17, 2018
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practice law in the State of Delaware and our opinions herein regarding Delaware law are limited solely to our review of provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, which we consider normally applicable to transactions of this type, without our having made any special investigation as to the applicability of another statute, law, rule or regulation. None of the opinions or other advice contained in this letter considers or covers any foreign or state securities (or “blue sky”) laws or regulations.
This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. This opinion speaks only as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion.
We have also assumed that the execution and delivery of the Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees and the performance by the Issuers and the Guarantors of their obligations thereunder do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which any Issuer or any of the Guarantors is bound.
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purposes.
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| Yours very truly, |
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| /s/ Kirkland & Ellis LLP |
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| KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP |
EXHIBIT A
Guarantors
California Guarantors
Falcon Cable Media, a California Limited Partnership
Falcon Cable Systems Company II, L.P., a California limited partnership
Falcon Cablevision, a California Limited Partnership
Falcon Community Ventures I Limited Partnership
Falcon Telecable, a California Limited Partnership
Delaware Guarantors
AdCast North Carolina Cable Advertising, LLC
Alabanza LLC
America’s Job Exchange LLC
Athens Cablevision, LLC
BHN Spectrum Investments, LLC
Bresnan Broadband Holdings, LLC
Bresnan Communications, LLC
Bresnan Digital Services, LLC
Bresnan Microwave of Montana, LLC
Bright House Networks Information Services (Alabama), LLC
Bright House Networks Information Services (California), LLC
Bright House Networks Information Services (Florida), LLC
Bright House Networks Information Services (Indiana), LLC
Bright House Networks Information Services (Michigan), LLC
Bright House Networks, LLC
Cable Equities Colorado, LLC
Cable Equities of Colorado Management LLC
CC 10, LLC
CC Fiberlink, LLC
CC Michigan, LLC
CC Systems, LLC
CC V Holdings, LLC
CC VI Fiberlink, LLC
CC VI Operating Company, LLC
CC VII Fiberlink, LLC
CC VIII Fiberlink, LLC
CC VIII Holdings, LLC
CC VIII Operating, LLC
CC VIII, LLC
CCO Fiberlink, LLC
CCO Holdco Transfers VII, LLC
CCO Holdings, LLC
CCO NR Holdings, LLC
CCO Purchasing, LLC
CCO SoCal I, LLC
CCO SoCal II, LLC
CCO SoCal Vehicles, LLC
CCO Transfers, LLC
Charter Advanced Services (AL), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (CA), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (CO), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (CT), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (GA), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (IL), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (IN), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (KY), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (LA), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (MA), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (MD), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (MI), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (MN), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (MO), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (MS), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (MT), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (NC), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (NE), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (NH), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (NV), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (NY), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (OH), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (OR), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (PA), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (SC), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (TN), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (TX), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (UT), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (VA), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (VT), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (WA), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (WI), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (WV), LLC
Charter Advanced Services (WY), LLC
Charter Advanced Services VIII (MI), LLC
Charter Advanced Services VIII (MN), LLC
Charter Advanced Services VIII (WI), LLC
Charter Advertising of Saint Louis, LLC
Charter Cable Operating Company, LLC
Charter Cable Partners, LLC
Charter Communications Entertainment I, LLC
Charter Communications Entertainment, LLC
Charter Communications, Inc.
Charter Communications Properties LLC
Charter Communications Ventures, LLC
Charter Communications VI, L.L.C.
Charter Communications VII, LLC
Charter Communications, LLC
Charter Distribution, LLC
Charter Fiberlink – Alabama, LLC
Charter Fiberlink – Georgia, LLC
Charter Fiberlink – Illinois, LLC
Charter Fiberlink – Maryland II, LLC
Charter Fiberlink – Michigan, LLC
Charter Fiberlink – Missouri, LLC
Charter Fiberlink – Nebraska, LLC
Charter Fiberlink – Pennsylvania, LLC
Charter Fiberlink – Tennessee, LLC
Charter Fiberlink AR-CCVII, LLC
Charter Fiberlink CA-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink CC VIII, LLC
Charter Fiberlink CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink CT-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink LA-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink MA-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink MS-CCVI, LLC
Charter Fiberlink NC-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink NH-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink NV-CCVII, LLC
Charter Fiberlink NY-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink OH-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink OR-CCVII, LLC
Charter Fiberlink SC-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink TX-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink VA-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink VT-CCO, LLC
Charter Fiberlink WA-CCVII, LLC
Charter Helicon, LLC
Charter Leasing Holding Company, LLC
Charter Leasing of Wisconsin, LLC
Charter Stores FCN, LLC
Charter Video Electronics, LLC
DukeNet Communications Holdings, LLC
DukeNet Communications, LLC
Falcon Cable Communications, LLC
Falcon Community Cable, L.P.
Falcon First Cable of the Southeast, LLC
Falcon First, LLC
Falcon Video Communications, L.P.
Helicon Partners I, L.P.
Hometown T.V., LLC
HPI Acquisition Co. LLC
ICI Holdings, LLC
Insight Blocker LLC
Insight Capital LLC
Insight Communications Company, L.P.
Insight Communications Midwest, LLC
Insight Communications of Central Ohio, LLC
Insight Communications of Kentucky, L.P.
Insight Interactive, LLC
Insight Kentucky Capital, LLC
Insight Kentucky Partners I, L.P.
Insight Kentucky Partners II, L.P.
Insight Midwest Holdings, LLC
Insight Midwest, L.P.
Insight Phone of Indiana, LLC
Insight Phone of Kentucky, LLC
Insight Phone of Ohio, LLC
Interactive Cable Services, LLC
Interlink Communications Partners, LLC
Intrepid Acquisition LLC
Marcus Cable Associates, L.L.C.
Marcus Cable of Alabama, L.L.C.
Marcus Cable, LLC
Midwest Cable Communications, LLC
NaviSite LLC
New Wisconsin Procurement LLC
Oceanic Time Warner Cable LLC
Peachtree Cable TV, L.P.
Peachtree Cable TV, LLC
Renaissance Media LLC
Rifkin Acquisition Partners, LLC
Robin Media Group, LLC
Scottsboro TV Cable, LLC
Spectrum Mobile, LLC
Spectrum Originals, LLC
Spectrum Security, LLC
The Helicon Group, L.P.
Time Warner Cable Business LLC
Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Alabama), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Arizona), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (California), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Colorado), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Hawaii), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Idaho), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Illinois), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Indiana), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Kansas), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Kentucky), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Maine), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Massachusetts), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Michigan), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Missouri), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Nebraska), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (New Hampshire), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (New Jersey), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (New Mexico) LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (New York), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (North Carolina), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Ohio), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Pennsylvania), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (South Carolina), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Tennessee), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Texas), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Virginia), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Washington), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (West Virginia), LLC
Time Warner Cable Information Services (Wisconsin), LLC
Time Warner Cable International LLC
Time Warner Cable Internet Holdings III LLC
Time Warner Cable Internet Holdings LLC
Time Warner Cable Internet LLC
Time Warner Cable, LLC
Time Warner Cable Media LLC
Time Warner Cable Midwest LLC
Time Warner Cable New York City LLC
Time Warner Cable Northeast LLC
Time Warner Cable Pacific West LLC
Time Warner Cable Southeast LLC
Time Warner Cable Sports LLC
Time Warner Cable Texas LLC
TWC Administration LLC
TWC Communications, LLC
TWC Digital Phone LLC
TWC Media Blocker LLC
TWC News and Local Programming Holdco LLC
TWC News and Local Programming LLC
TWC Regional Sports Network I LLC
TWC Regional Sports Network II LLC
TWC SEE Holdco LLC
TWC Wireless LLC
TWC/Charter Dallas Cable Advertising, LLC
TWC/Charter Green Bay Cable Advertising, LLC
TWC/Charter Los Angeles Cable Advertising, LLC
TWCIS Holdco LLC
Vista Broadband Communications, LLC
Wisconsin Procurement Holdco LLC
Other Guarantors
Bresnan Broadband of Colorado, LLC
Bresnan Broadband of Montana, LLC
Bresnan Broadband of Utah, LLC
Bresnan Broadband of Wyoming, LLC
