<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0305</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-05-11</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000100493</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TYSON FOODS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TSN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001019032</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TYSON JOHN H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P O BOX 2020</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SPRINGDALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>72765</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-03-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value>E</value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1162</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>109748</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Employee Stock Purchase Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by Son</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by Daughter</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-03-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value>E</value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>174</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1365652</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-05-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>200000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.64</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1565652</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-05-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>19.76</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1565152</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-05-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8576</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>19.75</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1556576</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-05-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1200</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>19.74</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1555376</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-05-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1899</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>19.72</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1553477</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-05-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>17658</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>19.71</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1535819</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-05-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>19.7</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1521819</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-05-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>13700</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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            </transactionDate>
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                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
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            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
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                <transactionShares>
                    <value>600</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1507519</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
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                <transactionShares>
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                </transactionShares>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1504719</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-05-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
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            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
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            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>37000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
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                <transactionShares>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
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            </postTransactionAmounts>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
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                <transactionShares>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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    <derivativeTable>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.64</value>
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                    <value>D</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-10-10</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
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                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
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                    <value>0</value>
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            <ownershipNature>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents 1,162 shares of the Issuer's Class A Common Stock purchased for the Reporting Person's account under the Issuer's Employee Stock Purchase Plan or received pursuant to a dividend reinvestment feature under the Issuer's stock plans since the last Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership was filed by the Reporting Person.  Such acquistions are exempt from Section 16 reporting requirements pursuant to Rule 16b-3.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents 174 shares of the Issuer's Class A Common Stock received by the Reporting Person pursuant to a dividend reinvestment feature under the Issuer's stock plans since the last Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership was filed by the Reporting Person.  Such acquisition is exempt from Section 16 reporting requirements pursuant to Rule 16a-11.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Nathan Hodne by Power of Attorney for John Tyson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-05-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0305
4
2012-05-11
0
0000100493
TYSON FOODS INC
TSN
0001019032
TYSON JOHN H
P O BOX 2020
SPRINGDALE
AR
72765
1
0
0
0
Class A Common Stock
2012-03-15
5
J
0
E
1162
0
A
109748
I
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Class A Common Stock
1000
I
by Son
Class A Common Stock
1000
I
by Daughter
Class A Common Stock
2012-03-15
5
J
0
E
174
0
A
1365652
D
Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
4
M
0
200000
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A
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Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
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S
0
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Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
4
S
0
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2012-05-11
4
S
0
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19.74
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1555376
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Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
4
S
0
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1553477
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2012-05-11
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0
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Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
4
S
0
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Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
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0
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Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
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S
0
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2012-05-11
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2012-05-11
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0
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Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
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0
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Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
4
S
0
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Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
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0
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Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
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2012-05-11
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0
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Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
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S
0
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19.62
D
1442350
D
Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
4
S
0
9594
19.61
D
1432756
D
Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
4
S
0
3204
19.6
D
1429552
D
Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
4
S
0
100
19.595
D
1429452
D
Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
4
S
0
1300
19.59
D
1428152
D
Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
4
S
0
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D
1427352
D
Class A Common Stock
2012-05-11
4
S
0
200
19.57
D
1427152
D
Non-Qualified Stock Options (Right to Buy)
9.64
2012-05-11
4
M
0
200000
9.64
D
2004-10-10
2012-10-10
Class A Common Stock
200000
0
D
Represents 1,162 shares of the Issuer's Class A Common Stock purchased for the Reporting Person's account under the Issuer's Employee Stock Purchase Plan or received pursuant to a dividend reinvestment feature under the Issuer's stock plans since the last Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership was filed by the Reporting Person.  Such acquistions are exempt from Section 16 reporting requirements pursuant to Rule 16b-3.
Represents 174 shares of the Issuer's Class A Common Stock received by the Reporting Person pursuant to a dividend reinvestment feature under the Issuer's stock plans since the last Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership was filed by the Reporting Person.  Such acquisition is exempt from Section 16 reporting requirements pursuant to Rule 16a-11.
Nathan Hodne by Power of Attorney for John Tyson
2012-05-15