Comcast Corporation to acquire General Electric’s 49% stake in the NBCUniversal

comcastComcast Corporation is to acquire the 49 percent of NBCUniversal that it doesn’t already own from joint venture owner General Electric for approximately $16.7 billion.  Also, NBCUniversal will purchase from GE the properties used by NBCUniversal at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and CNBC’s headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ for approximately $1.4 billion. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of this year.

“This is an exciting day for Comcast as we have agreed to accelerate the purchase of NBCUniversal. The management team at GE has nbcbeen a wonderful partner during the past two years and their support has been very valuable. Our decision to acquire GE’s ownership is driven by our sense of optimism for the future prospects of NBCUniversal and our desire to capture future value that we hope to create for our shareholders,” said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation. “We believe the terms of the transaction are attractive and have planned for this event by taking a number of financial steps to prepare our balance sheet. We believe we are in a strong and unique position to continue to grow and build value in our combined company.”

The transactions will be funded with $11.4 billion of cash on hand, $4.0 billion of subsidiary senior unsecured notes to be issued to GE, $2.0 billion of borrowings under Comcast and/or subsidiary bank credit facilities and $725 million of subsidiary preferred stock to be issued to GE.

Morgan Stanley was financial advisor to Comcast and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP was the Company’s legal advisor.

USA, Philadelphia, PA & Fairfield, CT

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Cox Media Group sells radio stations in six markets

coxmediaCox Media Group (CMG) is to sell radio stations in six markets as part of its broadcast portfolio realignment.

CMG is to sell its Southern Connecticut radio stations – WPLR-FM, WEZN-FM, WFOX-FM, and contract rights for WYBC-FM – to Westport, CT. based Connoisseur Media. CMG is to sell its radio stations in five other markets to SummitMedia, including:

Birmingham (WAGG-AM, WBHJ-FM, WBHK-FM, WENN-AM, WZZK-FM, WZNN-FM, WBPT-FM, and CMG’s contract rights for WALJ-FM)
Greenville, S.C. (WJMZ-FM, WHZT-FM)
Hawaii (KRTR-AM/FM, KPHW-FM, KCCN-FM, KINE-FM, KKNE-AM)
Louisville (WRKA-FM, WVEZ-FM, WSFR-FM, WQNU-FM)
Richmond (WHTI-FM, WKHK-FM, WKLR-FM, WURV-FM)

“These are all important brands powered by talented media professionals who tirelessly serve their audiences, advertisers and communities,” said CMG President Doug Franklin . “We wish all of the employees well and know they will continue to work hard to produce quality entertainment, news and information for their customers and new owners.”

The sales are expected to close during the second quarter following receipt of regulatory approvals.

USA, Atlanta, GA

Liberty Global confirms acquisition of Virgin Media – Deal Terms

Liberty Global have confirmed that they are to acquire Virgin Media in a cash & stock merger.

Deal Terms

  • Virgin Media 2012 results (unaudited)Virgin Media
  • Revenue $6.6 billion
  • OCF $2.7 billion
  • OCF margin 41%

Virgin Media shareholders will receive for each share:

  • $17.50 in cash
  • 0.2582 shares of Liberty Global Series A common stockLiberty-Global-logo
  • 0.1928 shares of Liberty Global Series C common stock

Valuation

  • $47.87 per Virgin Media share
  • 24% premium to closing price
  • Implied Virgin Media equity value of $16.0 billion & enterprise value of $23.3 billion
  • Represents 8.8x 2012 OCF multiple
  • Represents 7.0x 2013E OCF multiple, after adjusting for synergies & taxes
  • Accretive to Free Cash Flow

Ownership

  • Liberty Global shareholders expected to own 64%
  • Virgin Media shareholders expected to own 36%

Path to completion

The transaction is subject to majority LGI & Virgin Media shareholder votes, regulatory approvals & customary closing conditions. The deal is expected to close in Q2 2013.

For full details see the Virgin Media Investor Call Presentation here.

USa, Englewood, CO & UK, London

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InterMedia Partners and Azteca Acquisition Corporation to merge their Spanish-language media companies

intermediaInterMedia Partners are to merge Cine Latino and InterMedia Español Holdings, which includes WAPA America and WAPA TV, with Azteca Acquisition Corporation in a transaction valued at approximately $400 million. InterMedia currently owns Cinelatino with Cinema Aeropuerto, S.A. de C.V., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Grupo MVS, S.A. de C.V., and James McNamara. The new company will be called Hemisphere Media Group, and will be a pure-play U.S. Hispanic TV/cable networks and content platform.

Following completion, Peter Kern, Managing Partner of InterMedia, will serve as Chairman of Hemisphere cinelatinoMedia Group. Alan J. Sokol, Senior Partner of InterMedia will become Chief Executive Officer. Craig Fischer, who works with Sokol at InterMedia, will become Chief Financial Officer. Gabriel Brener, CEO of Azteca Acquisition Corporation, and Sokol will become Directors of the new company.

Hemisphere will be headquartered in Miami, Florida.

Summary of the transaction

Under the terms of the proposed business combination, Azteca, WAPA and Cinelatino will each become indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Hemisphere. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement,

  • each share of Azteca common stock will be converted into one share of Hemisphere Class A common stock (which will be entitled to one vote per share);
  • the outstanding membership interests of WAPA and the outstanding common shares of Cinelatino common stock will be converted into an aggregate of 30.0 million shares of Hemisphere Class B common stock (which will be entitled to ten votes per share), valued at approximately $300 million, plus an additional 3.0 million shares of Hemisphere Class B common stock subject to certain forfeiture provisions if the market price of Hemisphere Class A common stock does not reach certain levels, and $5 million in cash;
  • 250,000 shares of Azteca common stock held by certain Azteca officers will be cancelled and an additional 250,000 shares held by the Azteca sponsor will be subject to forfeiture if the market price of Hemisphere Class A common stock does not reach certain levels; and
  • in exchange for cash consideration, all current holders of Azteca’s warrants will be asked to amend their warrants such that there will be approximately 50% less Hemisphere Class A common stock issued upon warrant exercise.

The Hemisphere Class A common stock and Hemisphere Class B common stock issued in the business combination will have the same rights and obligations, except that Hemisphere Class A common stock will be entitled to one vote per share while the Hemisphere Class B common stock will be entitled to ten votes per share. Assuming no redemptions by Azteca stockholders and no repurchases by Azteca of Azteca common stock from the public stockholders, immediately following the consummation of the business combination, current Azteca stockholders (including Azteca’s founders) will own approximately 27% of Hemisphere and the WAPA Member and Cinelatino stockholders will own, together, approximately 73% of Hemisphere immediately following the closing (excluding the shares subject to forfeiture provisions and Azteca warrants).

Hemisphere intends to apply for listing of the shares of Hemisphere Class A common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Maxim Group LLC are acting as capital markets and financial advisors to Azteca Acquisition Corporation. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor to InterMedia Partners. Greenberg Traurig, LLP is acting as legal advisor to Azteca Acquisition Corporation, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is acting as legal advisor to InterMedia Partners. Stan Budeshtsky is acting as a consultant to Azteca Acquisition Corporation.

USA, New York, NY & Miami, FL

 

Manchester United acquires BskyB’s One-Third Stake in MUTV

mutv1Manchester United has acquired the one-third minority equity stake in Manchester United Television from BskyB . MUTV is now a wholly-owned group subsidiary. MUTV employs approximately

60 staff and currently operates from offices in central Manchester, a studio at Carrington (the Club’s training ground) and from facilities within Old Trafford stadium.

MUTV was launched in 1998 as a three-way joint venture, with UK broadcasters ITV and Sky as equal partners. Since then, MUTV has developed considerable in-house expertise and Manchester United bought ITV’s one-third equity stake in November 2007.

Richard Arnold, Commercial Director of Manchester United, said, “The acquisition of Sky’s stake is great news for all of our fans who watch us around the globe, MUTV, its staff and the Club. We look forward to continuing to enhance our media proposition and distribution capabilities in the years to come; and delivering some of the best and most compelling content to our 659m followers.”

UK, Manchester

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The $80M merger of Viggle and GetGlue is Terminated

viggleThe $80M merger of Viggle and GetGlue is Terminated. Why the deal is off is not clear.

On Sunday the GetGlue blog said “We are moving forward as an independent company.”

Today a short announcement was issued by Viggle in which Robert F.X. Sillerman, Executive Chairman and CEO of Viggle said;

“During the time we started talking to GetGlue about an acquisition and since the merger agreement was signed in November, we have getglueseen impressive growth in our business”

“During the time we started talking to GetGlue about an acquisition and since the merger agreement was signed in November, we have seen impressive growth in our business,” Sillerman said. “We are pleased with this positive momentum.” He added that the termination of the agreement was cordial. “We wish GetGlue and Alex all the best.”

Previous DigiNet reporting – Viggle to acquire GetGlue for $25M cash and 48.3M shares

USA, New York, NY

Radio One Inc. Increases Stake in Reach Media

Radio_one_logoRadio One Inc. though its wholly owned subsidiary Radio One Media Holdings has completed the purchase of shares of broadcaster Reach Media Inc. from minority shareholders worth $2 million. This transaction has increased its stake in Reach Media to approximately 80% from 53%, giving the firm an implied valuation of around $7.4 million.

Reach Media Inc., founded in 2003 by Tom Joyner and David Kantor is a cross platform media company which produces radio programmes, websites, events and initiatives targeted towards African-Americans. Its most popular show “The Tom Joyner Show” is aired in over 100 markets and reaches an audience of over eight million listeners.

Radio One CEO and President Alfred Liggins has commented on the transaction, stating ““Radio One has a commitment to be the leader in radio and online programming with compelling entertainment and information for the African-American audience,” and that by “combining our assets under Reach Media offers a […] broad platform for affiliate stations and advertisers to connect with our […] audience.”

Following the transaction, Radio One is to consolidate its Syndication One Urban programming line up with those offered by Reach Media to make Reach the largest radio network in the US catering specifically to an African-American audience.

US, Silver Lake, MD & US, Dallas, TX

Al Jazeera Acquires Current TV

al-Jazeera-0021Qatar based Al Jazeera has acquired US cable network Current TV. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, however, analysts have estimated the deal could have been worth up to $500 million (Source).

Current TV was launched in 2005 by former US Vice President Al Gore and fellow Democrat Joel Hyatt centred on featuring a mixture of user generated content and original programming. With this approach the network achieved only disappointing ratings, prompting a shift towards traditional programming in 2009. Later movements towards becoming a more progressive news channel have brought typical viewer figures of around 42,000.

Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, director general of Al Jazeera, said in a statement “by acquiring Current TV, Al Jazeera will significantly expand our existing distribution footprint in the US, as well as increase our newsgathering and reporting efforts in America.”

Al Jazeera has continued that it will eventually replace Current TV’s programming and plans to use the acquisition to create Al Jazeera America (separate from Al Jazeera English), enabling it to allow its programming to reach more than 40 million US households, compared to the 4.7 million today. Furthermore, Al Jazeera will open bureaus in the US in addition to those already existing in New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago, doubling its US based staff.

Qatar, Doha & US, San Francisco, CA

TC production company Tinopolis acquires Firecracker Films

tinopolisTinopolis, one of the UK’s largest independent TV production and distribution companies, has acquired Firecracker Films, a producer of factual and factual entertainment programming in the UK and US. The transaction follows quickly on the acquisition of Passion Distribution and further underpins Tinopolis’ strategy of widening its creative and geographical reach. Firecracker’s strengths in factual and popular factual programming are significant additions to Tinopolis’ portfolio of companies and programmes.

Firecracker was founded in 2002 by Mark Soldinger to focus on documentary programming with international sales potential and is firecracker-logonow one of the fastest growing factual and factual entertainment producers both in the UK and the US achieving organic revenue growth of over 150% in 2012. Firecracker works with all major broadcasters in the US and the UK and has created shows including Thelma’s Gypsy Girls (C4),The Daredevils (C4), Family Guns (Nat Geo), Unsafe Sex in the City (BBC3) and Last Chance Driving School (AETN) as well as one of Channel 4’s biggest rating hits of the last decade, Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and in the US, Big Fat American Gypsy Weddings (TLC). Firecracker is one of only a few UK Indies that has successfully organically expanded into the US and now generates as much turnover from the US as it does from the UK. Firecracker also has a valuable branded content division that produces innovative audio visual content directly for brands such as Diageo, Nissan, Heineken, Motorola and GSK.

Firecracker’s management and creative team will remain with the business and Mark Soldinger, CEO, Sue Oriel, Managing Director, Jes Wilkins, Head of Programmes, and Jeremy Groman, Creative Director will all become shareholders in the Tinopolis Group.

Tinopolis, which delisted from AIM in 2008 through a management buyout backed by private equity firm Vitruvian Partners, has grown its turnover from £50m in 2006 to over £130m today and developed into a global media company comprised of several leading independent businesses. The range of programmes produced extends to documentaries and factual, sport, comedy, flagship current affairs series, critically-acclaimed dramas and high rating entertainment formats, as well as human interest, history and science. Tinopolis is responsible for successful television shows such as Question Time, Traffic Cops, Hell’s Kitchen and the London Paralympic Games coverage.

Ron Jones, Executive Chairman of Tinopolis, commented: “In Firecracker we have acquired a company that is operating at the cutting edge of television on both sides of the Atlantic. Tinopolis continues to build a group of companies that has the range and financial strength to provide the best creative ideas to our customers around the world. Firecracker is an ideal partner for us. Its programmes are already sold in over 100 territories around the world and our distribution platform will help to support its continuing development.”

UK, Carmarthenshire & London

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The Walt Disney Company completes Lucasfilm acquisition

DisneyThe Walt Disney Company has completed its acquisition of Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC.

Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Lucasfilm to the Disney family,” said Iger. “Star Wars is one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time and this transaction combines that world class content with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses, and markets, which we believe will generate growth as well as significant long-term value.”

Under the terms of the merger agreement, at closing Disney issued 37,076,679 shares and made a cash payment of $2,208,199,950. Based upon the closing price of Disney shares on December 21, 2012 at $50.00, the transaction has a total value of approximately $4.06 billion.

Lucasfilm’s assets include its massively popular Star Wars franchise, operating businesses in live action film production, consumer products, animation, visual effects, and audio post production, as well as a substantial portfolio of cutting-edge entertainment technologies. It operates under the names Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound.

USA, Burbank, CA & San Francisco, CA

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