UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 30, 2005
CBS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
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001-09553 |
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04-2949533 |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
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(Commission File Number) |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification |
incorporation) |
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Number) |
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51 West 52nd Street, New York, New York |
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10019 |
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(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(zip code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (212) 975-4321
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Section 1. Registrants Business and Operations
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
In connection with the separation of Viacom Inc. (subsequently renamed, and referred to herein as, CBS Corporation) into two publicly traded companies effective December 31, 2005 (the Separation), CBS Corporation and New Viacom Corp. (subsequently renamed, and referred to herein as, Viacom Inc.) entered into a tax matters agreement dated as of December 30, 2005 (the Tax Matters Agreement). The Tax Matters Agreement sets forth the responsibilities of CBS Corporation and Viacom Inc. with respect to, among other things, liabilities for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes for periods before and including the merger pursuant to which the Separation was effected (the Merger), the preparation and filing of income tax returns for such periods, disputes with taxing authorities regarding income taxes for such periods and indemnification for income taxes that would become due if the Merger were taxable. CBS Corporation and Viacom Inc. will generally each be responsible for federal, state and local, and foreign income taxes for periods before the Merger relating to their respective businesses. Income tax liabilities relating to discontinued operations and previously disposed businesses will be allocated in accordance with the principles applicable under the separation agreement dated as of December 19, 2005 by and between CBS Corporation and Viacom Inc. for liabilities relating to those operations and businesses. Other income tax liabilities, including items that do not specifically relate to either business, will be shared equally. CBS Corporation and Viacom Inc. will generally be jointly responsible for managing any dispute relating to income taxes for which both parties may be responsible. The Tax Matters Agreement also provides that, depending on the event, Viacom Inc. may have to indemnify CBS Corporation, or CBS Corporation may have to indemnify Viacom Inc., for some or all of the taxes resulting from the transactions related to the Merger and the distribution of Viacom Inc. common stock if the Merger and distribution do not qualify as tax-free under Sections 355 and 368 of the Code.
This description of the Tax Matters Agreement is qualified by reference to the text of the Tax Matters Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Section 8. Other Events
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On January 1, 2006, CBS Corporation announced that the Separation had been completed effective December 31, 2005. A copy of the related press release, dated January 1, 2006, is filed herewith as Exhibit 99 and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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Section 9. Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits. The following Exhibits are filed as part of this Report on Form 8-K:
Exhibit |
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Description of Exhibit |
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10.1 |
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Tax Matters Agreement dated as of December 30, 2005 by and between Viacom Inc. (subsequently renamed CBS Corporation) and New Viacom Corp. (subsequently renamed Viacom Inc.). |
99 |
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Press release dated January 1, 2006. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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CBS CORPORATION |
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(Registrant) |
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By: |
/s/ Louis J. Briskman |
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Name: |
Louis J. Briskman |
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Title: |
Executive Vice President and |
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General Counsel |
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Date: January 5, 2006 |
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit |
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Description of Exhibit |
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10.1 |
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Tax Matters Agreement dated as of December 30, 2005 by and between Viacom Inc. (subsequently renamed CBS Corporation) and New Viacom Corp. (subsequently renamed Viacom Inc.). |
99 |
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Press release dated January 1, 2006. |
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Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION VERSION
TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT
by and between
Viacom Inc.
and
New Viacom Corp.
Dated as of December 30, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
2 |
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Section 1.1 |
Certain Defined Terms |
2 |
Section 1.2 |
Additional Definitions |
9 |
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ARTICLE II TAX RETURN FILINGS |
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Section 2.1 |
Filing of Federal Consolidated Tax Returns |
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Section 2.2 |
Allocation of Responsibility for Federal Income Taxes for Pre-Separation Periods |
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Section 2.3 |
The 2005 Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return |
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Section 2.4 |
Tax Returns for Taxable Periods Beginning After the Separation Date |
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Section 2.5 |
Amended Returns; Refunds; Carrybacks |
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ARTICLE III TAX CONTEST |
13 |
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Section 3.1 |
Tax Contest |
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Section 3.2 |
Notice and Overriding Elections; Freezing Liability with Respect to a Tax Contest; Assuming Control of a Tax Contest; Correlative Adjustments. |
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Section 3.3 |
Recalculation of the Share of Liability to Reflect Adjustments |
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Section 3.4 |
Interest Netting |
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Section 3.5 |
Certain Dutch Tax Return Filings |
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ARTICLE IV SPIN-OFF DISQUALIFICATION AND OTHER TAXES ARISING FROM SEPARATION TRANSACTIONS |
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Section 4.1 |
Indemnification by New Viacom |
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Section 4.2 |
Indemnification by CBS |
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Section 4.3 |
Treatment of Other Income Tax Items Attributable to the Separation Transactions |
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Section 4.4 |
Dual Consolidated Losses. |
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ARTICLE V PAYMENTS MADE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT |
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Section 5.1 |
Interest |
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Section 5.2 |
Tax Treatment of Payments Made Under This Agreement |
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Section 5.3 |
Tax Effecting Obligations Under This Agreement |
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Section 5.4 |
Direct Payments to the IRS |
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ARTICLE VI STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN INCOME TAXES |
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Section 6.1 |
State, Local and Foreign Income Taxes; Capital Taxes |
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Section 6.2 |
Certain Transfer Taxes |
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ARTICLE VII DISPUTE RESOLUTION |
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ARTICLE VIII CONFIDENTIALITY; EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION |
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Section 8.1 |
Ownership of Income Tax Information |
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Section 8.2 |
Restrictions on Disclosure of Income Tax Information |
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Section 8.3 |
Disclosure of Income Tax Information |
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Section 8.4 |
Access to Income Tax Information |
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Section 8.5 |
Record Retention |
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Section 8.6 |
Income Tax Information Relating to Non-Income Taxes |
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Section 8.7 |
Witness Services |
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Section 8.8 |
Privileged Matters |
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Section 8.9 |
Tax Library |
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ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS |
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Section 9.1 |
Termination |
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Section 9.2 |
Effect of Termination |
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Section 9.3 |
Amendments |
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Section 9.4 |
Waiver |
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Section 9.5 |
Limitation of Liability |
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Section 9.6 |
Expenses |
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Section 9.7 |
Counterparts |
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Section 9.8 |
Notices |
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Section 9.9 |
Severability |
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Section 9.10 |
Entire Agreement; Assignment |
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Section 9.11 |
Parties in Interest |
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Section 9.12 |
Governing Law |
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Section 9.13 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
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Section 9.14 |
Headings |
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Section 9.15 |
Survival of Covenants |
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TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT
THIS TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (the Agreement), dated as of December 30, 2005 is entered into by and between Viacom Inc., a Delaware corporation (Viacom), and New Viacom Corp., a Delaware corporation (New Viacom).
WHEREAS, Viacom, directly and through its various subsidiaries, is engaged in the CBS Business and the New Viacom Business;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Viacom has determined that it is in the best interests of Viacom and its stockholders to separate Viacom into two separate, publicly traded companies, which will operate the CBS Business and the New Viacom Business, respectively;
WHEREAS, in order to effect such separation, (i) Viacom will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, transfer to New Viacom and to the New Viacom Subsidiaries all of the Subsidiaries, assets and liabilities of Viacom and its Subsidiaries that relate primarily to the New Viacom Business and that are not already owned or otherwise held by New Viacom and the New Viacom Subsidiaries, (ii) New Viacom will, and will cause the New Viacom Subsidiaries to, transfer to Viacom and the CBS Subsidiaries all of the Subsidiaries, assets and liabilities of New Viacom and the New Viacom Subsidiaries that relate primarily to the CBS Business and that are not already owned or otherwise held by Viacom and the CBS Subsidiaries, in each case in the manner set forth and except as otherwise provided in the Separation Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and (iii) Viacom and Viacom Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation, will consummate the Merger (the transactions described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) collectively, the Separation Transactions);
WHEREAS, prior to consummation of the Separation Transactions, Viacom is the common parent corporation of an affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code;
WHEREAS, in the Merger, Viacom will be renamed CBS Corporation (CBS) and New Viacom will be renamed Viacom Inc. and, after the Separation Date, CBS and its Subsidiaries will conduct the CBS Business and New Viacom and its Subsidiaries will conduct the New Viacom Business;
WHEREAS, in the Merger, each share of stock of Viacom outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) shall be canceled and shall be converted automatically into the right to receive 0.5 shares of common stock of New Viacom, and 0.5 shares of common stock of CBS.
WHEREAS, the distribution of stock in New Viacom to the shareholders of Viacom is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code and as tax-free under Sections 355 and 361 of the Code;
WHEREAS, Viacom and New Viacom wish to allocate and settle among themselves in an equitable manner, among other things, all applicable federal, state, local and foreign Income Taxes for all taxable periods that include or end prior to the Separation Date; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate and desirable for Viacom and New Viacom to set forth the principles and responsibilities of the parties to this Agreement with respect to indemnification for Income Taxes, proceedings and other matters relating to Income Taxes, Capital Taxes and Transfer Taxes.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1.1 Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Agreement:
2005 Consolidated Tax Return means the U.S. federal consolidated Income Tax Return for the Old Viacom Group for the 2005 calendar year.
Actually Received has the following meaning: an Income Tax benefit shall be treated as Actually Received by any Person at the time at which and to the extent that (i) a cash payment is received from the appropriate taxing authority in respect of such Income Tax benefit or (ii) the amount of Income Taxes payable by such Person is reduced below the amount of Income Taxes that such Person would be required to pay but for such incremental Income Tax benefit.
Adjusted Swap Rate means the bid-side quote for U.S. dollar interest rate swaps, plus 50 basis points, as shown on Bloomberg page IRSB as of the close of business on the date as of which the determination is to be made for swaps with a maturity closest to the average life of the payments being discounted.
Capital Tax and Capital Taxes means (i) any and all state and local taxes imposed on capital, net worth or equity, (ii) any and all interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts imposed by any taxing authority in connection with (A) any item described in clause (i) or this clause (ii) or (B) the failure to comply with any requirement imposed with respect to any Tax Return relating to any Capital Tax, and (iii) any obligation with respect to any item described in clause (i) and/or (ii) above payable by reason of contract, assumption, transferee or successor liability, operation of Law, or otherwise.
Carryback has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(c).
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CBS Adjusted Tax Liability means, with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Separation Date, the sum of (i) the CBS Business Tax and (ii) the product of (x) 0.5 and (y) the amount equal to the Old Viacom Tax Liability minus the sum of the CBS Business Tax and the New Viacom Business Tax; in each case, with respect to such taxable period. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount described in clause (ii)(y) of this definition may be a negative number.
CBS Business has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement, except, for purposes of this Agreement, without regard to whether such business is conducted before or after consummation of the Separation Transactions.
CBS Business Tax means, with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Separation Date, the federal Income Tax liability that the Old Viacom Group would have if (i) during the entirety of the particular taxable period (or portion thereof), it owned only the assets and conducted only the activities and operations of the CBS Business and the CBS Discontinued Operations, (ii) any and all carryforwards and Carrybacks of tax attributes of the Old Viacom Group arising on or before the Separation Date (regardless of whether originating from a segment of the CBS Business, the CBS Discontinued Operations, the New Viacom Business or the New Viacom Discontinued Operations) actually available in such taxable period (or portion thereof) were taken into account, (iii) any and all Carrybacks of tax attributes of any CBS Entity arising after the Separation Date actually available in such taxable period (or portion thereof) were taken into account, (iv) solely for purposes of applying Section 2.5(c) to a CBS Carryback, taking into account any New Viacom Carryback arising in earlier taxable periods, (v) any tax attribute generated in the same taxable period (or portion thereof) but not absorbed in the computation of the New Viacom Business Tax for the same taxable period (or portion thereof) were taken into account, and (vi) items relating to the issues described in the Schedule resulting from a Resolution of such issues were taken into account in the percentages allocated to CBS therein. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this definition, the definition of New Viacom Business Tax and the calculations relating thereto, the same carryforward or carryback tax attribute may be used in computing the CBS Business Tax and the New Viacom Business Tax.
CBS Carryback means a Carryback with respect to a net operating loss, a net capital loss or any other tax attribute incurred by CBS after the Separation Date.
CBS Discontinued Operations means any terminated, divested or discontinued business the assets and liabilities of which are allocated to CBS pursuant to the Separation Agreement and not included in the CBS Business.
CBS Entities or the CBS Group means, collectively, CBS and the CBS Subsidiaries; CBS Entity means CBS or any CBS Subsidiary.
CBS Estimated Tax Payments means, with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Separation Date, the sum of (i) the total amount of estimated federal Income Tax payments made on or prior to the Separation Date multiplied by the CBS Original Tax Percentage and (ii) the total amount for which
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CBS is responsible and paid to the taxing authorities pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(i) with respect to estimated federal Income Tax payments made after the Separation Date.
CBS Original Tax Percentage means a percentage equal to the CBS Adjusted Tax Liability for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Separation Date divided by the Old Viacom Tax Liability for such taxable period, as the amount of those liabilities were determined based on the original federal consolidated Income Tax Return actually filed for such taxable period, provided, however, that, for purposes of this definition, (i) the CBS Adjusted Tax Liability will be calculated without taking into account any contribution made in December 2005 or later to a qualified benefit plan that is allocated to CBS pursuant to the Separation Agreement and (ii) the Old Viacom Tax Liability will be calculated without taking into account any contribution made in December 2005 or later to a qualified benefit plan that is allocated to CBS or New Viacom, as the case may be, pursuant to the Separation Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, adjustments made to the CBS Adjusted Tax Liability or to the Old Viacom Tax Liability after such original filing (or such finalization) shall not, for purposes of this Agreement, change the CBS Original Tax Percentage.
CBS Tax Packages means, collectively, all Tax Packages for a particular taxable period (or portion thereof) with respect to the CBS Business and the CBS Discontinued Operations. A CBS Tax Package means a Tax Package with respect to a part of the CBS Business and/or the CBS Discontinued Operations.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Confidential Income Tax Information has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(a).
Current Practices means of the current practices, tax accounting methods, and positions used by the members of the Old Viacom Group as of the Separation Date in connection with any and all Income Tax matters, including the preparation of Tax Packages and the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, revised as appropriate to take into account (i) changes in the applicable Law after the Separation Date, (ii) good faith resolutions of Tax Contests after the Separation Date and (iii) methods or positions adopted in the preparation of Income Tax Returns previously filed (after the Separation Date) in accordance with this Agreement.
DCL has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a).
DCL Closing Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a).
Deviation has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a)(ii).
Dispute has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a)(ii).
Electing Party has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).
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Election has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).
Governmental Authority has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.
Income Tax Information means any and all records, documents, data and other information relating to Income Taxes, including, without limitation, Income Tax Returns and Tax Packages.
Income Tax Returns means any Tax Return relating to Income Taxes.
Income Taxes means (i) any and all federal, state, local and foreign taxes based upon, measured by, or computed by reference to net income or profits (including alternative minimum tax), (ii) any and all interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts imposed by any taxing authority in connection with (A) any item described in clause (i) or this clause (ii) or (B) the failure to comply with any requirement imposed with respect to any Income Tax Return, and (iii) any obligation with respect to Income Taxes described in clause (i) and/or (ii) above payable by reason of contract, assumption, transferee or successor liability, operation of Law, Treasury Regulation section 1.1502-6(a) or 1.1502-78 (or predecessor or successor thereof or any analogous or similar provisions under Law) or otherwise.
Interest Netting Rules means Section 6621(d) of the Code and any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law.
IRS means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
IRS Private Letter Ruling means the federal income tax rulings issued to Old Viacom on November 22, 2005 by the IRS in connection with the Separation Transactions.
Joint Owner has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3.
New Viacom Adjusted Tax Liability means, with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Separation Date, the sum of (i) the New Viacom Business Tax and (ii) the product of (x) 0.5 and (y) the amount equal to the Old Viacom Tax Liability minus the sum of the CBS Business Tax and the New Viacom Business Tax; in each case, with respect to such taxable period. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount described in clause (ii)(y) of this definition may be a negative number.
New Viacom Business has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement, except, for purposes of this Agreement, without regard to whether such business is conducted before or after consummation of the Separation Transactions.
New Viacom Business Tax means, with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Separation Date, the federal Income Tax liability that the Old Viacom Group would have if (i) during the entirety of the particular
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taxable period (or portion thereof), it owned only the assets and conducted only the activities and operations of the New Viacom Business and/or the New Viacom Discontinued Operations, (ii) any and all carryforwards and Carrybacks of tax attributes of the Old Viacom Group arising on or before the Separation Date (regardless of whether originating from a segment of the CBS Business, the CBS Discontinued Operations, the New Viacom Business or the New Viacom Discontinued Operations) actually available in such taxable period (or portion thereof) were taken into account, (iii) any and all Carrybacks of tax attributes of any New Viacom Entity arising after the Separation Date actually available in such taxable period (or portion thereof) were taken into account, (iv) solely for purposes of applying Section 2.5(c) to a New Viacom Carryback, taking into account any CBS Carryback arising in earlier taxable periods, (v) any tax attribute generated in the same taxable period (or portion thereof) but not absorbed in the computation of the CBS Business Tax for the same taxable period (or portion thereof) were taken into account, and (vi) items relating to the issues described in the Schedule resulting from a Resolution of such issues were taken into account in the percentages allocated to New Viacom therein. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this definition, the definition of CBS Business Tax and the calculations relating thereto, the same carryforward or carryback tax attribute may be used in computing the CBS Business Tax and the New Viacom Business Tax.
New Viacom Carryback means a Carryback with respect to a net operating loss, a net capital loss or any other tax attribute incurred by New Viacom after the Separation Date.
New Viacom Discontinued Operations means any terminated, divested or discontinued business the assets and liabilities of which are allocated to New Viacom pursuant to the Separation Agreement and not included in the New Viacom Business.
New Viacom Entities or the New Viacom Group means, collectively, New Viacom and the New Viacom Subsidiaries; New Viacom Entity means New Viacom or any New Viacom Subsidiary.
New Viacom Estimated Tax Payments means, with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Separation Date, the sum of (i) the total amount of estimated payments made on or prior to the Separation Date multiplied by the New Viacom Original Tax Percentage and (ii) the total amount for which New Viacom is responsible and paid to CBS pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(i) with respect to estimated payments made after the Separation Date.
New Viacom Original Tax Percentage means a percentage equal to the New Viacom Adjusted Tax Liability for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Separation Date divided by the Old Viacom Tax Liability for such taxable period, as the amount of those liabilities were determined based on the original federal consolidated Income Tax Return actually filed for such taxable period, provided, however, that, for purposes of this definition, (i) the New Viacom Adjusted Tax Liability will be calculated without taking into account any contribution made in December 2005 or later to a qualified benefit plan that is allocated to New Viacom pursuant to the
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Separation Agreement and (ii) the Old Viacom Tax Liability will be calculated without taking into account any contribution made in December 2005 or later to a qualified benefit plan that is allocated to CBS or New Viacom, as the case may be, pursuant to the Separation Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, adjustments made to the New Viacom Adjusted Tax Liability or to the Old Viacom Tax Liability after such original filing (or such finalization) shall not, for purposes of this Agreement, change the New Viacom Original Tax Percentage.
New Viacom Tax Packages means, collectively, all Tax Packages for a particular taxable period (or portion thereof) with respect to the New Viacom Business and the New Viacom Discontinued Operations. A New Viacom Tax Package means a Tax Package with respect to a part of the New Viacom Business and/or the New Viacom Discontinued Operations.
Non-Settling Party has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(b).
Old Viacom Group means the affiliated group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code) of which the common parent is Viacom for taxable periods (or portions thereof) ending on or before the Separation Date.
Old Viacom Return means the U.S. federal consolidated income Tax Return for the Old Viacom Group for any taxable period ending on or prior to December 31, 2005.
Old Viacom Tax Liability means, with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Separation Date, the federal Income Tax liability of the Old Viacom Group.
Overriding Party has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).
Payment has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.
Person has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.
Post-Separation Date Interest has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.
Pre-Separation Liability has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.
Pre-Separation Period means any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Separation Date.
Providing Party has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).
Records has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.
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Refund means, with respect to any Person, any refund of Income Taxes including any reduction of Income Tax liabilities by means of a credit, offset or otherwise, but excluding any interest payable by the appropriate taxing authority.
Related Party has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).
Representative has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.
Requesting Party has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).
Section 3.2 Settlement Amount has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d).
Separation Agreement means the Separation Agreement by and between Viacom and New Viacom, dated as of December 19, 2005, and thereafter as amended.
Separation Transactions has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Settling Party has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d).
Special Committee means a committee whose members are the chair of the audit committee of CBS and the chair of the audit committee of New Viacom.
Spin-Off Disqualification means the failure of any of the transactions taken in connection with the Separation Transactions from qualifying for tax-free treatment, where tax-free treatment was intended by the parties as reflected in the IRS Private Letter Ruling.
Tax Basis has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.
Tax Contest has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
Tax Opinion means the opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP to Old Viacom, dated December 30, 2005, addressing the federal income tax treatment of certain components of the Separation Transactions.
Tax Package means all of the information necessary to prepare a Tax Return for a particular taxable period (or portion thereof) with respect to an activity or operation conducted by Old Viacom or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Old Viacom.
Tax Return means any returns, reports, declarations, elections, notices, designations, filings, statements, forms, and information returns and reports filed or required to be filed with any taxing authority in respect of Taxes, including any schedules thereto.
Transfer Taxes shall mean any Taxes (other than Income Taxes and Capital Taxes) that the parties have agreed to share under the Separation Agreement.
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Section 1.2 Additional Definitions. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement.
Section 2.1 Filing of Federal Consolidated Tax Returns. New Viacom and CBS shall cause the New Viacom Entities and the CBS Entities to be included in the Old Viacom Group through the Separation Date to the extent permitted under federal Income Tax Law.
Section 2.2 Allocation of Responsibility for Federal Income Taxes for Pre-Separation Periods. With respect to the Old Viacom Tax Liability for each Pre-Separation Period, (i) New Viacom will be responsible for the portion equal to New Viacom Adjusted Tax Liability for such taxable period and (ii) CBS will be responsible for the portion equal to the CBS Adjusted Tax Liability for such taxable period.
Section 2.3 The 2005 Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return.
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Section 2.4 Tax Returns for Taxable Periods Beginning After the Separation Date.
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Section 2.5 Amended Returns; Refunds; Carrybacks.
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Section 3.1 Tax Contest.
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Section 3.2 Notice and Overriding Elections; Freezing Liability with Respect to a Tax Contest; Assuming Control of a Tax Contest; Correlative Adjustments.
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Section 3.3 Recalculation of the Share of Liability to Reflect Adjustments.
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Section 3.4 Interest Netting. For purposes of Sections 2.5 and 3.3, interest payable to or receivable from a taxing authority shall be calculated as if the Interest Netting Rules did not apply in respect of any underpayment for which CBS or New Viacom is responsible under this Agreement and any overpayment to which the other party is entitled under this Agreement. To the extent that the net amounts actually payable or receivable by the parties in respect of interest differ from the amount payable to or receivable from the relevant taxing authority, the difference shall be shared equally by the parties. In addition, any interest that would be receivable by a party pursuant to the first sentence of this section but is not actually received in cash shall be treated as Actually Received when it reduces the amount that otherwise would be payable in cash or by way of offset to a taxing authority.
Section 3.5 Certain Dutch Tax Return Filings. CBS and New Viacom agree to use their best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary or appropriate to (i) file all outstanding Tax Returns of Viacom International (Netherlands) B.V. and its Subsidiaries in compliance with the existing ruling issued by the Dutch taxing authorities
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in 1995 and (ii) cooperate with respect to all Dutch tax issues relating to Viacom International (Netherlands) B.V. and its Subsidiaries for any Pre-Separation Period.
Section 4.1 Indemnification by New Viacom. The New Viacom Business Tax shall include any and all Income Taxes resulting from: (i) a Spin-Off Disqualification that is attributable to any action, or failure to take any action, by any New Viacom Entity after the Separation Date if such act or the failure to act (or the combination of any such act or failure to act after the Separation Date with an event occurring prior to the Separation Date) would be inconsistent with the Tax Opinion or the IRS Private Letter Ruling, information included in any submission to the IRS in connection with the IRS Private Letter Ruling or with any representation or covenant made in connection with the Tax Opinion or (ii) any action, or failure to take any action, by any New Viacom Entity after the Separation Date if such act or the failure to act (or the combination of any such act or failure to act after the Separation Date with an event occurring prior to the Separation Date) results in the recognition of income or gain pursuant to Section 355(e) of the Code; provided, however, that this Section 4.1 shall not apply to any liability for Income Taxes resulting from the failure of the Merger and the related distribution of New Viacom stock to satisfy the business purpose requirement of Section 355 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.
Section 4.2 Indemnification by CBS. The CBS Business Tax shall include any and all Income Taxes resulting from: (i) a Spin-Off Disqualification that is attributable to any action, or failure to take any action, by any CBS Entity after the Separation Date if such act or failure to act (or the combination of any such act or failure to act after the Separation Date with an event occurring prior to the Separation Date) would be inconsistent with the Tax Opinion or the IRS Private Letter Ruling, information included in any submission to the IRS in connection with IRS Private Letter Rulings or with any representation or covenant made in connection with the Tax Opinion or (ii) any action, or failure to take any action, by any CBS Entity after the Separation Date if such act or the failure to act (or the combination of any such act or failure to act after the Separation Date with an event occurring prior to the Separation Date) results in the recognition of income or gain pursuant to Section 355(e) or 361(b) of the Code; provided, however, that this Section 4.2 shall not apply to any liability for taxes resulting from the failure of the Merger and the related distribution of New Viacom stock to satisfy the business purpose requirement of Section 355 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.
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Section 4.3 Treatment of Other Income Tax Items Attributable to the Separation Transactions. For purposes of this Agreement, items of income or gain (i) to which Section 4.1 applies shall be treated as attributable to the New Viacom Business, (ii) to which Section 4.2 applies shall be treated as attributable to the CBS Business, and (iii) relating to the Separation Transactions that are not described in clauses (i) or (ii) (including without limitation, except to the extent provided in Section 4.1(ii) or 4.2(ii), (w) items not arising from a Spin-Off Disqualification, (x) items relating to Spin-Off Disqualification to which neither Section 4.1 nor 4.2 is applicable and to any Spin-Off Disqualification described in the proviso to Section 4.1 or 4.2, (y) items attributable to the repatriation of cash undertaken in connection with the Separation Transactions and which occur on or prior to December 31, 2005, by any New Viacom Entity or any CBS Entity that is a foreign corporation to any New Viacom Entity or CBS Entity that is a U.S. corporation, and (z) items described in Section 4.4(b) other than in the proviso thereof) shall not be treated as attributable to the New Viacom Business, the New Viacom Discontinued Operations, the CBS Business or the CBS Discontinued Operations.
Section 4.4 Dual Consolidated Losses.
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Section 5.1 Interest. Any payments required to be made by one party to another party pursuant to this Agreement, which is not made within the time period specified in this Agreement, shall bear interest at a rate equal to one month LIBOR plus 3.00%.
Section 5.2 Tax Treatment of Payments Made Under This Agreement. For all Income Tax purposes (unless required by a change in applicable Tax Law or good faith resolution of a Tax Contest), (i) New Viacom and CBS shall treat, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to treat, (A) any payment obligation arising, and any payment made, under this Agreement after the Separation Date with respect to Pre-Separation Liabilities as arising or occurring immediately before the Merger and (B) the portion of any payment owed or paid by one party to another party that is attributable to Post-Separation Date Interest shall be treated as interest and not treated as arising or being paid immediately before the Merger, and (ii) no New Viacom Entity or CBS Entity shall take any position inconsistent with this Section 5.2 in connection with any matter relating to Income Taxes or Income Tax Returns.
Section 5.3 Tax Effecting Obligations Under This Agreement.
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The amount of any payment required to be paid under this Agreement between any New Viacom Entity and any CBS Entity in respect of a Pre-Separation Liability accruing for federal Income Tax purposes after the Separation Date (a Payment) shall be reduced to take into account any net Income Tax benefit of the payee arising from incurring or satisfying the Pre-Separation Liability giving rise to the payment obligation. The preceding sentence shall be implemented by reducing the Payment at the time such Payment is due to reflect the amount of such net Income Tax benefit, assuming for this purpose that any such net Income Tax benefit would be fully and immediately utilized, unless such benefit is reflected in tax basis or similar item (Tax Basis), in which case, assuming such Tax Basis would be fully and immediately utilizable over the depreciation or amortization period, if applicable, computed on a present value basis using 60% of the Adjusted Swap Rate. If such Tax Basis is not depreciable or amortizable, then the payee shall promptly refund to the payor the portion of such Payment or Payments equal to the net Income Tax benefits arising from such Tax Basis at the time such benefits are actually realized.
Section 5.4 Direct Payments to the IRS. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, New Viacom may, at is sole election, remit payment in respect of its portion of any Old Viacom Tax Liability directly to the IRS, unless (i) such direct payment is not permitted under applicable federal Income Tax law or (ii) New Viacom, as the Settling Party for purposes of Section 3.2(b), elected to freeze its liability with respect to such portion in accordance with Section 3.2(b). CBS shall cooperate with New Viacom in making any such direct payment.
Section 6.1 State, Local and Foreign Income Taxes; Capital Taxes. Subject to the following five sentences, the principles of this Agreement shall apply with respect to any and all state, local or foreign Income Tax matters, as well as Capital Tax matters, of any New Viacom Entity or any CBS Entity, including, without limitation, the preparation and filing of Income Tax Returns and Tax Returns relating to Capital Taxes, paying Income Taxes and Capital Taxes, and resolving Tax Contests. With respect to state, local and foreign Income Tax Returns and Tax Returns relating to Capital Taxes required to be filed after the Separation Date for any taxable period that includes or ends before the Separation Date, (i) New Viacom shall prepare, and New Viacom or CBS as appropriate shall file, (A) those Income Tax Returns that reflect solely conduct, activities or operations related to the New Viacom Business and/or the New Viacom Discontinued Operations and (B) those Tax Returns relating to Capital Taxes that reflect solely the capital, net worth or equity relating to a New Viacom Entity, and (ii) CBS shall prepare, and New Viacom or CBS as appropriate shall file, (A) those Income Tax Returns that reflect solely conduct, activities or operations related to the CBS Business and/or the CBS Discontinued Operations and (B) those Tax Returns
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relating to Capital Taxes that reflect solely the capital, net worth or equity relating to a CBS Entity. New Viacom shall pay all Income Taxes and Capital Taxes due with respect to the Tax Returns described in clause (i) of the previous sentence and CBS shall pay all Income Taxes and Capital Taxes due with respect to the Tax Returns described in clause (ii) of the previous sentence. CBS shall provide New Viacom, by August 1, 2006, with a pro forma federal Income Tax Return for the 2005 calendar year for any New Viacom Entity for which New Viacom is required to file any Tax Return under this Section 6.1, provided that New Viacom has given CBS a list of such New Viacom Entities on or before June 30, 2006. For purposes of calculating state Income Taxes and Capital Taxes for purposes of this Agreement, items relating to state Income Taxes or Capital Taxes determined in a Resolution and relating to issues or principles described in the Schedule shall be allocated between CBS and New Viacom in the manner set forth in the Schedule. For the avoidance of doubt, in applying Section 6.1 or Section 6.2, the term IRS shall mean the relevant state, local or foreign Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection, or other imposition of any Income Taxes, Capital Taxes or Transfer Taxes.
Section 6.2 Certain Transfer Taxes. The principles of this Agreement shall apply with respect to any Transfer Taxes allocated between New Viacom and CBS pursuant to Section 2.06 of the Separation Agreement, except for (i) Section 6.1 and (ii) calculating the proportion in which the liability for Income Taxes and Capital Taxes are shared pursuant to this Agreement. Liability for such Transfer Taxes shall, except as provided in Section 3.2, be shared between New Viacom and CBS in the manner set forth in Section 2.06 of the Separation Agreement.
Procedures for discussion, negotiation and arbitration set forth in Article X of the Separation Agreement shall apply to all disputes, controversies or claims (whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise) between the parties that may arise out of or relate to, or arise under or in connection with any Agreement Disputes relating to Taxes, but the arbitrator shall be a Big Four accounting firm mutually acceptable to CBS and New Viacom.
Section 8.1 Ownership of Income Tax Information. Subject to Section 8.6, any Income Tax Information owned (or jointly owned) by a Providing Party that is provided to a Requesting Party pursuant to Section 8.4 shall be deemed to remain the property (or joint property, as the case may be)
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of the Providing Party. Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any such Income Tax Information. For the avoidance of doubt, any and all Income Tax Information currently in possession of the CBS Group or the New Viacom Group (for this purpose, possession shall include the right to obtain such Income Tax Information) shall be jointly owned by New Viacom and CBS, except to the extent that any such Income Tax Information relates solely to Taxes or Tax Returns for which a member of the CBS Group or the New Viacom Group, as the case may be, has no responsibility under this Agreement or under applicable Tax Law, in which event such Income Tax Information shall be owned by the member of the CBS Group or the New Viacom Group, as the case may be, with responsibility for such Tax or Tax Return.
Section 8.2 Restrictions on Disclosure of Income Tax Information.
Section 8.3 Disclosure of Income Tax Information.
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If either CBS or New Viacom or any member of their respective Groups or its or their respective Representatives becomes legally required to disclose any Confidential Income Tax Information which is jointly owned as provided in Section 8.1, such disclosing party shall promptly notify New Viacom or CBS, as the case may be (the Joint Owner), and, except to the extent such Confidential Income Tax Information is to be used in connection with preparing or filing Tax Returns or in connection with any Tax Contest, shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Joint Owner so that the Joint Owner may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with this Section 8.3. All expenses reasonably incurred by the disclosing party in seeking a protective order or other remedy shall be borne by the Joint Owner. If such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or if the Joint Owner waives compliance with this Section 8.3, the disclosing party shall (a) disclose only that portion of the Confidential Income Tax Information it is legally required to disclose, (b) use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain reliable assurances requested by the Joint Owner that confidential treatment will be accorded such Confidential Income Tax Information and (c) promptly provide the Joint Owner with a copy of the Confidential Income Tax Information so disclosed, in the same form and format as so disclosed, together with the identity of all Persons to whom such Confidential Income Tax Information was disclosed.
Section 8.4 Access to Income Tax Information.
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Section 8.5 Record Retention.
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Section 8.6 Income Tax Information Relating to Non-Income Taxes. Subject to Article VI, this Article VIII shall not apply to Information related to non-Income Taxes, which shall instead be governed by the Separation Agreement.
Section 8.7 Witness Services. At all times from and after the Separation Date, each of CBS and New Viacom shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other, upon reasonable written request, its and its Subsidiaries officers, directors, employees and agents as witnesses to the extent that (a) such persons may reasonably be required in connection with the investigation, prosecution or defense of any claim, demand or Action relating to Income Taxes in which either CBS or New Viacom or the members of their respective Group may from time to time be involved (except for claims, demands or Actions between members of each Group) and (b) there is no conflict in the claim, demand or Action between the Requesting Party and the other party hereto or any such witnesses. A party providing witness services to the other party under this Section 8.7 shall be entitled to receive from the recipient of such services, upon the presentation of reasonably detailed invoices therefor, payments for such amounts, relating to disbursements and other out-of-pocket expenses (which shall not include the costs of salaries and benefits of employees who are witnesses or any pro rata portion of overhead or other costs of employing such employees which would have been incurred by such
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employees employer regardless of the employees services as witnesses), as may be reasonably incurred in providing such witness services.
Section 8.8 Privileged Matters. CBS and New Viacom recognize that legal and other professional services relating to Income Tax matters that have been or will have been provided prior to the Separation Date have been or will be rendered for the benefit of each of Viacom, the members of the CBS Group and the members of the New Viacom Group, and that each of Viacom, the members of the CBS Group and the members of the New Viacom Group should be deemed to be the client for the purposes of asserting all privileges which may be asserted under applicable Law in connection therewith. Subject to paragraphs (a) through (h) of this Section 8.8, CBS and New Viacom shall, and shall cause the members of their respective Groups to, agree to maintain their respective separate and joint privileges, including, without limitation, by executing common interest agreements where necessary or useful for this purpose. To allocate the interests of each party in the information as to which any party is entitled to assert a privilege, whether or not such a privilege exists or the existence of which is in dispute, the parties agree as follows:
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Section 8.9 Tax Library. The parties agree to share the written materials in the tax library on the 32nd floor of 1515 Broadway, New York, New York as long as the tax departments of New Viacom and CBS are sharing office space at such location. At such time as one tax department vacates such location, the written materials shall be reasonably divided between New Viacom and CBS.
Section 9.1 Termination. Except as provided for pursuant to a written agreement of the parties hereto, this Agreement shall remain in force and be binding so long as the applicable period of assessment (including extensions) remains unexpired for any Taxes contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 9.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 9.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and there shall be no liability on the part of either party hereto.
Section 9.3 Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except (a) by an instrument in writing signed by, or on behalf of, the parties hereto or (b) by a waiver in accordance with Section 9.4.
Section 9.4 Waiver.
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Either party to this Agreement may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other party and (b) waive compliance with any of the agreements of the other party or conditions to such partys obligations contained herein. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the party to be bound thereby. Any waiver of any term or condition shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or a subsequent waiver of the same term or condition, or a waiver of any other term or condition of this Agreement. The failure of either party hereto to assert any of its rights hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of any of such rights.
Section 9.5 Limitation of Liability. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY MEMBER OF THE CBS GROUP OR THE NEW VIACOM GROUP BE LIABLE TO ANY MEMBER OF THE NEW VIACOM GROUP OR THE CBS GROUP, RESPECTIVELY, FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS, HOWEVER, CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENCE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Section 9.6 Expenses. Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors and accountants, incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent they are incurred prior to the Separation Date, shall be borne by CBS and New Viacom equally, and to the extent they are incurred subsequent to the Separation Date, shall be borne by the party incurring such costs and expenses.
Section 9.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission) in counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
Section 9.8 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by an internationally recognized overnight courier service, by facsimile or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties hereto at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 9.8):
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If to CBS, to: |
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CBS Corporation |
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51 West 52nd Street |
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New York, NY 10019 |
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Facsimile No.: (212) 975-4215 |
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Richard M. Jones |
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Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP |
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Facsimile No.: (212) 310-8007 |
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Michael E. Lubowitz |
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Viacom Inc. |
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1515 Broadway |
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Facsimile No.: (212) 258-6099 |
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Jay Kushner |
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Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP |
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1285 Avenue of the Americas |
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New York, NY 10019 |
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Facsimile No.: (212) 757-3990 |
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Section 9.9 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect for so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either party hereto. Upon such
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determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
Section 9.10 Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement, the Schedule attached hereto, and any side letter described in Section 3.1(a) constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement may not be assigned (whether pursuant to a merger, by operation of Law or otherwise) by a party hereto without the consent of the other parties hereto, provided that no such assignment shall relieve the assigning party of its obligations hereunder.
Section 9.11 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns, and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 9.12 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of New York.
Section 9.13 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.13.
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Section 9.14 Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, the word including or any variation thereof means including, without limitation and shall not be construed to limit any general statement that it follows to the specific or similar items or matters immediately following it.
Section 9.15 Survival of Covenants. Except as expressly set forth herein, the covenants, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement, and liability for the breach of any obligations contained herein or therein, shall survive the Separation and shall remain in full force and effect.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.
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VIACOM INC., |
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/s/ Joseph R. Ianniello |
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Senior Vice President, |
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NEW VIACOM CORP., |
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a Delaware corporation |
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By: |
/s/ Michael D. Fricklas |
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Michael D. Fricklas |
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Executive Vice President, |
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General Counsel and Secretary |
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EXHIBIT 99
VIACOM COMPLETES SEPARATION INTO CBS CORPORATION AND NEW VIACOM
NEW YORK, January 1, 2006 Viacom Inc. has completed the transaction to separate the Company into two publicly traded entities: CBS Corporation and New Viacom Inc. Shares of the two new companies will commence trading on the New York Stock Exchange on January 3, 2006, under the symbols: CBS.A (CBS Corporation Class A Common Stock) and CBS (CBS Corporation Class B Common Stock) and VIA (Viacom Inc. Class A Common Stock) and VIA.B (Viacom Inc. Class B Common Stock). The transaction to separate Viacoms businesses was announced in June 2005.
CBS Corporation is comprised of CBS Television Network, UPN, CBS Radio, Viacom Outdoor, Viacom Television Stations Group, Paramount Television, King World, Simon & Schuster, Showtime and Paramount Parks. CBS Corporation will also include the operations of CSTV: Networks, Inc., a leading sports television network and digital media company devoted exclusively to college athletics, an acquisition expected to close in early January 2006.
Viacom Inc. is comprised of MTV Networks (MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, TV Land and many other networks around the world), BET, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment and Famous Music. Viacom Inc. has also entered into an agreement to acquire DreamWorks SKG, a leading motion picture and television production studio, and an exclusive, worldwide distribution agreement with DreamWorks Animation (NYSE: DWA). The acquisition of Dreamworks SKG is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2006 and the worldwide distribution agreement will become effective at the time the acquisition is completed. More information about Viacom is available at www.viacom.com.
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Contacts: |
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NEW VIACOM |
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Media |
Investors |
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Carole Robinson |
James Bombassei |
212-258-8760 |
212-258-6377 |
carole.robinson@viacom.com |
james.bombassei@viacom.com |
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CBS CORPORATION |
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Media |
Investors |
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Gil Schwartz |
Martin Shea |
212-975-2121 |
212-975-8571 |
gdschwartz@cbs.com |
marty.shea@cbs.com |