Viasat (VSAT) S-8Registration of securities for employees

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 14, 2021

Registration No. 333-                    

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

VIASAT, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

6155 El Camino Real

Carlsbad, California 92009

(760) 476-2200

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

1996 Equity Participation Plan of Viasat, Inc.

Viasat, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan

(Full Title of the Plans)

Robert J. Blair, Esq.

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Viasat, Inc.

6155 El Camino Real

Carlsbad, California 92009

(760) 476-2200

(Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

Copies to:

Craig M. Garner, Esq.

Latham & Watkins LLP

12670 High Bluff Drive

San Diego, California 92130

(858) 523-5400

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Proposed sales to take place as soon after the effective date of the registration statement as awards granted under the above-named plans are granted, exercised and/or distributed.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This registration statement on Form S-8 is filed by Viasat to register an additional 3,290,000 shares of Viasat common stock for issuance under the 1996 Plan pursuant to an amendment and restatement of the 1996 Plan approved by the stockholders of Viasat on September 2, 2021. In accordance with Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the prior Form S-8 registration statements (Commission File Nos. 333-21113, 333-68757, 333-67010, 333-109959, 333-153828, 333-169593, 333-184029, 333-207064, 333-220556, 333-228221, 333-234634, 333-249941 and 333-255690) are incorporated herein by reference.

This registration statement on Form S-8 is also filed by Viasat to register an additional 2,500,000 shares of Viasat common stock for issuance under the Purchase Plan pursuant to an amendment and restatement of the Purchase Plan approved by the stockholders of Viasat on September 2, 2021. In accordance with Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the prior Form S-8 registration statements (Commission File Nos. 333-21113, 333-40396, 333-131382, 333-160361, 333-191326, 333-207064, 333-220556 and 333-234634) are incorporated herein by reference.

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference into this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this registration statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Viasat hereby incorporates the following documents in this registration statement by reference:

In addition, all documents filed by Viasat pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the filing of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents, except as to specific sections of such statements as set forth therein. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other

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subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement contained herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

Under no circumstances shall any information furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K be deemed incorporated herein by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that the registrant meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carlsbad, State of California, on October 14, 2021.

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Richard Baldridge and Robert Blair, jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign this registration statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.