UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.3)

Metromedia International Group, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $.01 par value

(Title of Class of Securities)

591689104

(CUSIP Number)

Martin D. Sklar, Esq.

Kleinberg, Kaplan, Wolff & Cohen, P.C.

551 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10176

Tel: (212) 986-6000

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

December 5, 2006

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box (.

 


 

 



 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP No 591689104

 

 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

Esopus Creek Value LP

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

WC

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSONWITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           3,830,000

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

           3,830,000

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                3,830,000

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                4.1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

                PN

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

Esopus Creek Advisors LLC

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

AF

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSON WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           3,830,000

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

           3,830,000

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                3,830,000

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                4.1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

OO

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

Andrew L. Sole

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS


                AF

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION


                United States

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSON WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           3,830,000

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
           
           3,830,000

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                3,830,000

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                4.1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

Joseph S. Criscione

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS


                AF

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION


                United States

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSON WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           3,830,000

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
           
           3,830,000

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                3,830,000

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                4.1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

D. E. Shaw Laminar Portfolios, L.L.C.

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

WC

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSONWITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           6,813,000

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

           6,813,000

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                6,813,000

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                7.2%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

                OO

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P.

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) o (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

WC

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSONWITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           6,813,000

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

           6,813,000

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                6,813,000

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                7.2%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

                IA, PN

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C.

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) o (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

WC

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSONWITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           6,813,000

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

           6,813,000

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                6,813,000

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                7.2%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

                OO

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

David E. Shaw

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) o (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS


                AF

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION


                United States

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSON WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           6,813,000

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
           
           6,813,000

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                6,813,000

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                7.2%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

Black Horse Capital LP

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS


                WC

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION


                Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSON WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           4,347,328

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
           
           4,347,328

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                4,347,328

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                4.6%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

PN

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

Black Horse Capital (QP) LP

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS


                WC

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION


                Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSON WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           1,580,345

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
           
           1,580,345

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                1,580,345

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                1.7%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

PN

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

Black Horse Capital Offshore Ltd.

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS


                WC

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION


                Cayman Islands

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSON WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           1,061,231

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
           
           1,061,231

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                1,061,231

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                1.1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

CO

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

Black Horse Capital Management LLC

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS


                AF

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION


                Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSON WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           5,927,673

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
           
           5,927,673

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                5,927,673

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                6.3%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

OO

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

Black Horse Capital Advisors LLC

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS


                AF

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION


                Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSON WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           1,061,231

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
           
           1,061,231

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                1,061,231

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                1.1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

OO

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

Dale Chappell

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS


                AF

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION


                United States

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSON WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            0

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           6,988,904

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            0

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
           
           6,988,904

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                6,988,904

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                7.4%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

 

 

 

 



 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

Brian Sheehy

 

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) x (b) o

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS


                AF, PF

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) o

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION


                United States

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFI-CIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORT-ING PERSON WITH

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

            61,397

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

           6,988,904

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

            61,397

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
           
           6,988,904

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                7,050,301

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                7.4%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

 

 

 

 



 

 

This Amendment No.3 is filed with respect to the shares of the common stock, $0.01 par value (the "Common Stock"), of Metromedia International Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Issuer”), beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons (as defined below) as of December 7, 2006 and amends and supplements the Schedule 13D filed originally on October 10, 2006, as amended and/or restated on October 20, 2006 and November 22, 2006 (collectively, the "Schedule 13D"). Except as set forth herein, the Schedule 13D is unmodified.

The names of the persons filing this statement on Schedule 13D are:

(i) The “Esopus Reporting Persons:”

 

Esopus Creek Value LP (“Esopus Fund”)

 

 

Esopus Creek Advisors LLC (“Esopus Advisors”)

 

Andew L. Sole (“Mr. Sole”)

 

 

Joseph S. Criscione (“Mr. Criscione”)

 

 

(ii) The “Black Horse Reporting Persons:”

 

Black Horse Capital LP (“BH Domestic Fund”),

 

 

Black Horse Capital (QP) LP (“BH QP Fund”),

 

 

Black Horse Capital Offshore Ltd. (“BH Offshore Fund”),

 

 

Black Horse Capital Management LLC (“BH Management”),

 

Black Horse Capital Advisors LLC (“BH Advisors”),

 

 

Dale Chappell (“Mr. Chappell”) and

 

 

Brian Sheehy (“Mr. Sheehy”).

 

(iii) The “D. E. Shaw Reporting Persons:”

 

D. E. Shaw Laminar Portfolios, L.L.C. (“Laminar”)

 

D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P. (“DESCO LP”)

 

 

D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C. (“DESCO LLC”)

 

 

David E. Shaw

 

The Esopus Reporting Persons, the Black Horse Reporting Persons and the D. E. Shaw Reporting Persons shall collectively be referred to as the “Reporting Persons.” Each of the Reporting Persons is responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning him or it contained herein, but is not responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning the others, except to the extent that he or it knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.

Item 3.

Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

(a)           Esopus Fund allocated approximately $5,487,858 to acquire its shares of Common Stock. The funds used to purchase the shares of Common Stock were obtained from a combination of the general working capital of the Esopus Fund and margin account borrowings made in the ordinary course of business, although Esopus Fund cannot determine whether any funds allocated to purchase the Issuer’s Common Stock were obtained from any margin account borrowings.

 

 

 



 

 

(b)           The total amount of funds allocated by the Black Horse Reporting Persons to acquire the shares of Common Stock and preferred stock owned by them was $15,932,805. Each of BH Domestic Fund, BH QP Fund and BH Offshore Fund used its own assets to purchase such shares, which may at any given time include funds borrowed in the ordinary course in their margin accounts. Mr. Sheehy used his personal funds to acquire the securities he owns directly.

(c)           In acquiring its shares of Common Stock, Laminar expended approximately $6,614,243 (excluding commissions) of its working capital.

Item 4.

Purpose of Transaction

By Letter to the Issuer dated October 5, 2006, Esopus Fund nominated the following persons for election to the Issuer’s Board of Directors at the annual meeting of the Issuer’s shareholders currently scheduled to be held on December 15, 2006 (the “2006 Annual Meeting”): (1) Andrew L. Sole, Esq., (2) Philip R. Broenniman, (3) William F. “Mickey” Harley III, (4) Jerry Marcus and (5) Goara Gabriella Volshteyn (the “Nominees”).

By Letter to the Issuer dated October 6, 2006, Esopus proposed two shareholder resolutions (the “Proposals”), one amending the by-laws to require a majority shareholder vote with respect to certain merger and asset sales, and the second resolution to specifically require a majority shareholder vote with respect to the proposed sale transaction (the “Proposed Transaction”) involving Istithmar PJSC, Salford Georgia and Emergent Telecom Ventures Limited described in the Issuer's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 2, 2006, as modified in the manner described in the Form 8-K filed by the Issuer on November 18, 2006. As a result of the Reporting Persons’ activities and the serial withdrawal of each of the proposed purchasers, the Proposed Transaction has been abandoned, as disclosed in the Issuer’s Form 8-K filed on December 5, 2006.

Each of the Reporting Persons acquired the Common Stock beneficially owned by each in the ordinary course of its, his or her, as applicable, securities trading activities. On October 5, 2006, the Esopus Reporting Persons and the D. E. Shaw Reporting Persons (and others who are no longer parties) entered into a verbal, non-binding agreement to support the election of the Nominees and the adoption of the Proposals at the 2006 Annual Meeting, and they agreed to share the related costs. On October 18, 2006, the Black Horse Reporting Persons agreed to cooperate with the above Reporting Persons and became a party to the verbal, non-binding agreement described above.

On October 18, 2006, the Esopus Fund brought an action against the Issuer in Delaware Chancery Court to enjoin the Proposed Transaction based upon its belief that the Issuer’s intention to commit or consummate the Proposed Transaction prior to the 2006 Annual Meeting violates the Delaware Chancery Court’s stipulated order to conduct an annul meeting for the election of directors on December 15, 2006. On October 19, 2006, the Esopus Fund and the Black Horse Funds brought a separate action in the Delaware Chancery Court against the Issuer and the Issuer’s Board of Directors (excluding William F. Harley III, who joined the Board of Directors following the announcement of the Proposed Transaction) also seeking to enjoin the Proposed Transaction based upon alleged breaches of fiduciary duties of care and loyalty and violation of Section 271 of the Delaware General Corporation Law requiring a shareholder vote for such an asset sale.

The above lawsuits were consolidated and a hearing took place on November 22, 2006. Vice Chancellor Stephen P. Lamb of the Delaware Chancery Court issued an order (the “Order”), dated November 29, 2006, pursuant to which it was ordered, among other things, that the Issuer, its defendants, officers and other individuals identified in the Order, and those persons in active concert or participation with them, not enter into a definitive agreement providing for the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer, including the Issuer’s subsidiary Metromedia International Telecommunications, Inc. and/or the Issuer’s direct or indirect interest in Magticom (an “Asset Sale Agreement”), unless consummation of such Asset Sale Agreement is subject to a vote of the common stockholders of the Issuer pursuant to Delaware corporate law (8 Del. C. § 271). Pursuant to the Order, in the event the Issuer enters into an Asset Sale Agreement, among other things, (i) the Issuer and its Board of Directors shall call a meeting of the common stockholders of the Issuer, consistent with the notice provision of 8 Del. C. § 271; (ii) the Issuer shall distribute to its stockholders, in advance of such meeting, a notice advising the Issuer’s common stockholders of the date, time and place of the meeting and their right to vote on the Proposed Transaction and all information required under Delaware law necessary to ensure

 

 

 



 

 

an informed vote on the Proposed Transaction and at such meeting the common stockholders shall have the opportunity to vote on the Proposed Transaction; and (iii) the Asset Sale Agreement shall not be consummated unless and until the Proposed Transaction has been approved by a vote of the common stockholders of Metromedia as required by 8 Del. C. §271 and the company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation. A copy of the Order is attached to the Form 8-K filed by the Issuer on November 30, 2006.

As a result of the Delaware Chancery Court’s Order in favor of the Reporting Persons and the termination of the Proposed Transaction, the Reporting Persons no longer intend to solicit proxies with respect to the Annual Meeting and shall (subject to any required acceptance of the Issuer and the Nominees) withdraw their Nominees and their two Proposals. However, if the Issuer announces a new proposed transaction that proposes to sell substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and such newly proposed transaction is not structured in a manner acceptable to the Reporting Persons, the Reporting Persons reserve the right to solicit proxies to oppose such new transaction.

The Reporting Persons also believe that the Lock-up and Voting Agreements (to the extent they still potentially are relevant following the abandonment of the Proposed Transaction) entered into between the Issuer and representatives of approximately 80% of the holders of the Issuer’s preferred stock, are invalid and unenforceable, and the Reporting Persons may consider additional litigation or other options with respect to such agreements.

The Reporting Persons reserve the right to engage in a proxy solicitation with respect to the election of directors or any other proposed sale or similar transaction at a future date and to continue to acquire and/or dispose of securities of the Issuer, to pursue litigation against the Issuer, its directors and/or its officers, to recommend to management strategic alternatives, and to take any other appropriate actions in furtherance of their interests as stockholders of the Issuer.

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer

(a).          (i)           The Esopus Reporting Persons beneficially own 3,830,000 shares of Common Stock, representing 4.1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(ii)           The Black Horse Reporting Persons beneficially own 7,050,301 shares of Common Stock representing 7.4% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

BH Domestic Fund, BH QP Fund, BH Offshore Fund (collectively, the “Black Horse Funds”) and Mr. Sheehy own directly 3,944,498, 1,461,324, 966,759 and 58,600 shares of Common Stock, respectively, and 120,970, 35,742, 28,370 and 840 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), of the Issuer, respectively, representing (on an as converted to Common Stock basis) approximately 4.6%, 1.7%, 1.1% and less than 0.1% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding. BH Advisors, in its capacity as investment advisor to the BH Offshore Fund and as a result of certain relationships among the Black Horse Funds and their affiliates, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the 7,050,301 shares of Common Stock held directly by the Black Horse Funds and Mr. Sheehy, constituting 7.4% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding. BH Management, in its capacity as the general partner of the BH Domestic Fund and the BH QP Fund and as a result of certain relationships among the Black Horse Funds and their affiliates, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the 7,050,301 shares of Common Stock held directly by the Black Horse Funds and Mr. Sheehy, constituting 7.4% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding.

Messrs. Chappell and Sheehy, in their capacity as managing members of BH Advisors and BH Management and directors of the BH Offshore Fund and as a result of certain relationships among the Black Horse Funds and their affiliates, may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the 7,050,301 shares of Common Stock held directly by the Funds and Mr. Sheehy, constituting 7.4% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding.

(iii)          The D. E. Shaw Reporting Persons beneficially own 6,813,000 shares of Common Stock, representing 7.2% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

The Reporting Persons may be deemed to be members of a “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”). As such, the group may be deemed to beneficially own (as that term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act) all of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the other Reporting Persons. Collectively, the Reporting Persons beneficially own 17,693,301, representing 18.7% of all the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

 

 



 

 

(b).          (i)           Mr. Sheehy who has the sole power to vote or direct the vote or to dispose or direct the disposition of the 58,600 shares of Common Stock and the 840 shares of Preferred Stock that he owns directly. The Black Horse Reporting Persons have the shared power to vote or direct the vote or to dispose or direct the disposition of the remaining 6,372,581 shares of Common Stock and 185,082 shares of Preferred Stock owned by the Black Horse Funds.

(ii)           The Esopus Reporting Persons share the power to vote and to direct the vote and the power to dispose and to direct the disposition of the 3,830,000 shares of Common Stock held by Esopus Fund.

(iii)          The D. E. Shaw Reporting Persons share the power to vote and to direct the vote and the power to dispose and to direct the disposition of the 6,813,000 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the D. E. Shaw Reporting Persons.

DESCO LP, as Laminar’s investment adviser, and DESCO LLC, as Laminar’s managing member, may be deemed to have the shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and the shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the 6,813,000 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Laminar. As managing member of DESCO LLC, DESCO II, Inc. may be deemed to have the shared power to vote or to direct the vote of (and the shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the 6,813,000 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Laminar. As general partner of DESCO LP, DESCO, Inc. may be deemed to have the shared power to vote or to direct the vote of (and the shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the 6,813,000 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Laminar. None of DESCO LP, DESCO LLC, DESCO, Inc., or DESCO II, Inc., owns any shares of Common Stock of the Issuer directly and each such entity disclaims beneficial ownership of the 6,813,000 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Laminar. In addition, DESCO LP, DESCO LLC, DESCO, Inc., and DESCO II, Inc. each disclaims beneficial ownership of the 17,693,301 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons and their affiliates.

David E. Shaw does not own any shares of Common Stock directly. By virtue of David E. Shaw’s position as president and sole shareholder of DESCO, Inc., which is the general partner of DESCO LP, and by virtue of David E. Shaw’s position as president and sole shareholder of DESCO II, Inc., which is the managing member of DESCO LLC, David E. Shaw may be deemed to have the shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and the shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the 6,813,000 shares of Common Stock owned by Laminar and, therefore, David E. Shaw may be deemed to be the indirect beneficial owner of such shares. David E. Shaw disclaims beneficial ownership of the 6,813,000 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Laminar. In addition, David E. Shaw disclaims beneficial ownership of the 17,693,301 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons and their affiliates.

Notwithstanding items (b)(i) to (b)(iv) of this Item 5, the Reporting Persons have agreed verbally on a non-binding basis to support the Nominees and the Proposals.

(c).          A list of the transactions in the Issuer’s Common Stock that were effected by the Reporting Persons during the past sixty days is attached as Appendix I.

(d).          No person other than the Reporting Persons and the investment funds and accounts under their management is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the Shares.

 

(e).

Note applicable.

 

 

 



 

 

Signature

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: December 8, 2006

ESOPUS CREEK VALUE LP

By: Esopus Creek Advisors LLC, as General Partner

 

 

By:

/s/  Andrew L. Sole

 

Andrew L. Sole, Managing Member

 

 

 

 

ESOPUS CREEK ADVISORS LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/  Andrew L. Sole

 

Andrew L. Sole, Managing Member

 

 

 

 

/s/  Andrew L. Sole

Andrew L. Sole

 

 

/s/  Joseph S. Criscione

Joseph S. Criscione

 

 

 

 

D. E. SHAW LAMINAR PORTFOLIOS, L.L.C.

BY:  D. E. SHAW & CO., L.L.C., as managing member

 

By:

/s/  Anne Dinning

Name:

Anne Dinning

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

D. E. SHAW & CO., L.P.

 

 

By:

/s/  Anne Dinning

Name:

Anne Dinning

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

D. E. SHAW & CO., L.L.C.

 

 

By:

/s/  Anne Dinning

Name:

Anne Dinning

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 



 

 

 

DAVID E. SHAW

 

 

By:

/s/  Anne Dinning

Name:

Anne Dinning

Title:

Attorney-in-Fact for David E. Shaw

 

 

BLACK HORSE CAPITAL LP

By: Black Horse Capital Management LLC, as General Partner

 

 

By:

/s/  Dale Chappell

 

Dale Chappell, Managing Member

 

 

 

 

BLACK HORSE CAPITAL (QP) LP

By: Black Horse Capital Management LLC, as General Partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/  Dale Chappell

 

Dale Chappell, Managing Member

 

 

 

 

BLACK HORSE CAPITAL OFFSHORE LTD.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/  Dale Chappell

 

Dale Chappell, Director

 

 

 

 

BLACK HORSE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/  Dale Chappell

 

Dale Chappell, Managing Member

 

 

 

 

BLACK HORSE CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/  Dale Chappell

 

Dale Chappell, Managing Member

 

 

 

 

/s/  Dale Chappell

Dale Chappell

 

 

 

 

/s/  Brian Sheehy

Brian Sheehy

 

 

 



 

 

APPENDIX I

TRANSACTIONS EFFECTED DURING THE PAST SIXTY DAYS

Transactions Effected by Esopus Creek Value LP

Date of transaction

Amount of securities

Bought/

(Sold)

Price per share or unit (excluding commissions)

Where and how the transaction was effected

12/06/2006

550,000

$1.7873

U.S. OTC Market

12/06/2006

150,000

$1.7903

U.S. OTC Market

12/07/2006

100,000

$1.5300

U.S. OTC Market

12/07/2006

500,000

$1.5372

U.S. OTC Market

 

Transactions Effected by Black Horse Capital LP

Date of transaction

Amount of securities

Bought/

(Sold)

Price per share or unit (excluding commissions)

Where and how the transaction was effected

12/06/2006

172,117

$1.7950

U.S. OTC Market

12/06/2006

25,602

$1.7758

U.S. OTC Market

12/06/2006

236,662

$1.7873

U.S. OTC Market

12/07/2006

63,148

$1.5984

U.S. OTC Market

12/07/2006

24,455

$1.5260

U.S. OTC Market

 

Transactions Effected by Black Horse Capital (QP) LP.

Date of transaction

Amount of securities

Bought/

(Sold)

Price per share or unit (excluding commissions)

Where and how the transaction was effected

12/06/2006

163,607

$1.7950

U.S. OTC Market

12/06/2006

24,337

$1.7758

U.S. OTC Market

12/06/2006

224,959

$1.7873

U.S. OTC Market

12/07/2006

23,379

$1.5984

U.S. OTC Market

12/07/2006

9,053

$1.5260

U.S. OTC Market

 

Transactions Effected by Black Horse Capital Offshore Ltd.

Date of transaction

Amount of securities

Bought/

(Sold)

Price per share or unit (excluding commissions)

Where and how the transaction was effected

12/06/2006

64,276

$1.7950

U.S. OTC Market

12/06/2006

9,561

$1.7758

U.S. OTC Market

12/06/2006

88,379

$1.7873

U.S. OTC Market

12/07/2006

15,473

$1.5984

U.S. OTC Market

12/07/2006

5,992

$1.5260

U.S. OTC Market