During 2010, debt refinancing costs of $3.6 million were recorded to interest expense in our consolidated statement of  operations in accordance with debt modification accounting guidance that applied to the amendment. Interest expense, excluding  the debt refinancing costs, was $19.9 million, $8.5 million and $14.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and  2008, respectively. The weighted average interest rate of the Term Loan B for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was 6.86% and  6.96%, respectively.  In February 2011, we disclosed our intention to refinance a portion of and to amend certain terms of the Bank Credit  Agreement.  From March 2002 through May 29, 2003, we issued $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.0% Senior Subordinated  Notes, due 2012 (the 8.0% Notes). Interest on the 8.0% Notes was paid semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each  year, beginning September 15, 2002. The 8.0% Notes were issued under an indenture among us, certain of our subsidiaries (the  guarantors) and the trustee. In addition to partial redemptions in 2007, during 2008, we repurchased, in the open market, $38.8 million of the 8.0% Notes at  face value. As a result of these redemptions, we recorded a gain from extinguishment of debt of $0.4 million for the year ended  December 31, 2008. We did not repurchase any 8.0% Notes in 2009.  On September 20, 2010, we commenced a tender offer to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding 8.0% Notes. We  offered to purchase the 8.0% Notes at a purchase price of $1,002.50 per $1,000 principal amount, if tendered within the first ten  business days of the tender offer period or $972.50 per $1,000 principal amount if tendered after such time, plus accrued and  unpaid interest. The tender offers expired October 19, 2010 and approximately $175.7 million principal amount of the 8.0%  Notes were tendered and purchased. On November 19, 2010, we completed the redemption of the remaining $49.0 million  outstanding of 8.0% Notes. These Notes were redeemed for cash at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the  Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. The redemption of the Notes was effected in accordance with the terms of the indenture  governing the Notes and was funded from the net proceeds of the 8.375% Senior Unsecured Notes, due 2018 (8.375% Notes)  offering described below and available cash on hand. As a result of these redemptions, we recorded a gain from extinguishment  of debt of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.  Interest expense was $13.9 million, $17.6 million and $19.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008,  respectively. The weighted average interest rate for the 8.0% Notes including the amortization of its bond premium was 7.88% and 7.83%  for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  On June 15, 2005, we completed an exchange of our Series D Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the Preferred Stock)  into 6.0 % Convertible Debentures, due 2012 (the 6.0% Notes). The 6.0% Notes mature September 15, 2012, and bear interest at  a rate of 6.0% per annum, payable quarterly on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, beginning September  15, 2005. The 6.0% Notes are convertible into Class A Common Stock at the option of the holders at a conversion price of  $22.813 per share, subject to adjustment. The difference in the carrying amount of the Preferred Stock and the fair value of the  6.0% Notes was recorded as a $31.7 million discount on the 6.0% Notes and is being amortized over the life of the 6.0% Notes  using the effective interest method. During 2009 and 2008, we redeemed, on the open market, $1.0 million and $18.1 million principal amount of the 6.0% Notes. In connection with these redemptions, we recorded a gain from extinguishment of debt of $0.4 million and $2.2 million for the  years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. During 2010, we repurchased, on the open market, $6.1 million in principal amount of the 6.0% Notes. On September 20,  2010, we commenced tender offers to purchase for cash up to $60.0 million in principal amount of the outstanding 6.0% Notes. We offered to purchase the 6.0% Notes at a purchase price of $987.50 per $1,000 principal amount plus accrued and unpaid  interest. The tender offer expired October 19, 2010 and approximately $58.0 million of the 6.0% Notes were tendered and  purchased. The net proceeds from the offering of the 8.375% Notes described below and cash on hand were used to fund this  tender offer. 2010 Annual Report    45  6.0% Convertible Debentures, Due 2012  8.0% Senior Subordinated Notes, Due 2012