CME, vlastnící TV NOVA, se spojila s firmou SBS Broadcasting
Podle těchto informací z 29. března, firma SBS Broadcasting SA (Nasdaq: SBTVF - news)
a Central European Media Enterprises, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CETV - news oznámily, že podepsaly dohodu o fúzi. Jde o akciovou transakci, kteerá má hodnotu 615 miliónů dolarů.
Spojením obou firem vzniká největší evropský televizní broadcaster, který vlastní 18 televizních stanic a 12 rozhlasových stanic ve 13 zemích a vysílá více než 150 miliónům lidí.
Zde je podrobnější informace v angličtině:
LUXEMBOURG, March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- SBS Broadcasting SA (Nasdaq: SBTVF - news)
and Central European Media Enterprises, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CETV - news) today announced
they have entered into a definitive agreement for the merger of CME into SBS
in an all stock transaction valued at $615 million based on today's closing
prices. The merger creates Europe's largest broadcaster in that it
encompasses 18 television stations and 12 radio stations in
13 countries, serving a population exceeding 150 million. On a pro forma
basis in 1998, the companies produced $594 million in combined revenues and
$64 million in station operating cash flow from continuing operations.
Under the definitive merger agreement, which has been approved by the
boards of directors of both companies, CME shareholders will receive a fixed
exchange ratio of 0.5 shares of SBS Series A Common Stock for each CME share.
On a fully diluted basis, SBS will issue approximately 14.2 million new shares
to CME shareholders and option holders who will own approximately 33% of the
combined company. The merger, which is subject to customary approvals, will
be accounted for as a purchase by SBS and is intended to be tax-free to CME
shareholders.
The combined company, which will retain the name SBS Broadcasting SA, will
own interests in a diversified mix of television and radio broadcasting assets
in Europe's fastest growing markets. Major assets of the combined companies
include: Western European television stations SBS6 in the Netherlands,
Kanal 5 in Sweden, VT4 in Belgium, TvDanmark in Denmark and TVNorge in Norway;
and Central and Eastern European national television stations Nova TV in the
Czech Republic, TV2 in Hungary, PRO TV in Romania, POP TV in Slovenia, Markiza
TV in Slovakia and Studio 1+1 in Ukraine, all of which are market leaders in
their coverage areas. SBS also owns a stake in national Italian television
station Rete Mia and will launch in September the first national private
television station in Switzerland. SBS owns 12 radio stations, located in
Sweden, Denmark and Finland, all of which are market leaders. In addition,
both companies have formed strategic local partnerships and programming
alliances in each of their markets.
Harry Evans Sloan, currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SBS,
will remain as Co-Chairman and CEO in the expanded SBS. Ronald S. Lauder,
currently Chairman of CME, will join SBS as Co-Chairman. Michael Finkelstein,
currently Vice Chairman of SBS, will become Chairman of the Executive
Committee of the Board, the other members of which will be Messrs. Sloan and
Lauder. Howard A. ``Woody'' Knight will continue in his current role of Vice
Chairman and Chief Operating Officer. Martin Lindskog, currently President of
SBS, and Fred Klinkhammer, currently President and CEO of CME, will serve with
Mr. Knight in a newly created Office of the President. The eleven member SBS
Board will be expanded to 15 members to include Messrs. Lauder and Klinkhammer
and two additional directors designated by CME.
Mr. Sloan commented, ``This combination of assets will create one of the
fastest growing, largest and most unique broadcasting groups in the world. We
will operate a valuable portfolio of established and developmental franchises
that are second to none in Europe in terms of territorial reach and growth
potential. All 13 of our combined markets are growing significantly faster
than North America's more mature markets and faster than Europe as a whole.
Given our top management, proven strategies, bottom-line focus, expanded
programming resources and preeminent strategic local partners, it is difficult
to imagine a more attractive platform for a pan-European broadcaster.
``This is a great deal for SBS' shareholders and enhances our ability to
create extraordinary value. SBS' commitment to increasing shareholder value
is reflected in our nine consecutive quarters of substantially improved
station operating cash flow performance. We have a proven formula for
building successful broadcasting operations in newly commercialized markets.
CME has created considerable value within a very short time frame in Central
and Eastern Europe. CME stations are ranked number one in both audience and
revenues in all markets except Hungary where the SBS station, TV2, is number
one. I recognize that these achievements are due in large measure to CME's
local partners and we are looking forward to helping them further develop
their market leading positions. We had previously identified these markets as
the logical next step for SBS because of their dynamic growth potential.
Combining the two companies gives us unparalleled program buying power. This
leverage, coupled with the opportunity for much more efficient inventory
utilization and other significant operating efficiencies and cost savings,
will drive improved bottom-line performance. Together, we are poised to enter
the next century and strategically positioned to capitalize on the continuing
growth of Europe's under-penetrated advertising markets.''
Ronald S. Lauder, said, ``In our media markets, we could not find a better
partner than SBS with which to join in order to take the company to the next
level. SBS' stations have similar characteristics to our own, including blue
chip local partners and strong ties to their local communities. The
managements of both companies share a demonstrated commitment to quality
programming and the development of profitable stations. We believe CME's
operating momentum will be greatly enhanced through the addition of SBS'
proven management resources.
``CME's market leading stations are uniquely positioned to benefit from the
ongoing economic and television advertising growth in the region. SBS'
success in developing profitable stations in more mature and more competitive
markets will greatly benefit our shareholders as we take our stations forward.
Together, we can improve our operating performance and translate the region's
growth into increased returns for our shareholders.
``On a personal note, I have known and admired Harry Sloan for some time.
I have watched with interest the successes he and his management team have
achieved. I am very committed to this transaction and I will assist the new
company in every way going forward. As a result of this merger, I will become
a major SBS shareholder and I intend to further increase my investment in the
combined company by purchasing a very substantial number of SBS shares in the
open market from time to time at prevailing market prices.''
Woody Knight commented, ``When I joined SBS more than three years ago, we
were a young company poised to deliver significant returns for our
shareholders. At that time, our senior management crafted an operating
strategy focused relentlessly on bottom-line results. Our successful
execution of these initiatives is demonstrated by our consistent and
sustainable financial performance. CME represents a collection of premium
assets, offering superior growth opportunities. Coupling those assets with
SBS' best practices provides a unique opportunity for improved margins and
significantly improved cash flow. I am looking forward to working with CME's
President, Fred Klinkhammer. Fred is an experienced and capable executive who
shares our operating philosophy and he will provide valuable continuity as we
integrate these assets into the SBS fold.''
SBS was advised by Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. in the transaction. Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter advised Central European Media Enterprises Ltd.
CME is the leading commercial television company in Central and Eastern
Europe, serving a population of over 100 million. The Company's national
private television stations and networks in the Czech Republic, Slovakia,
Slovenia and Ukraine hold the leading average nationwide audience shares in
their markets and the Company's television network in Romania holds the
leading average audience share within its area of broadcast reach. Central
European Media Enterprises Ltd. is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market and
trades under the symbol CETV.
SBS is a European television and radio broadcasting company with
controlling interests in eight television and twelve radio stations in Western
and Central Europe, serving a population of over 50 million. Countries where
SBS currently broadcasts include Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, The
Netherlands, Hungary, Finland, Slovenia and Italy. SBS is listed on the
Nasdaq Stock Market and trades under the symbol SBTVF.
Tento článek vyšel loni v deníku Wall Street Journal:
Odchází Lauder?
Firma CME klopýtá a mnozí uvažují, jaký bude další krok dědice kosmetického impéria
Sny Ronalda Laudera o tom, že by se mohl stát ve střední Evropě mediálním milionářem, se pro tohoto dědice amerického kosmetického impéria mění v noční můru.
Podnik Central European Media Enterprises, která vlastní ve střední Evropě televizní stanice, nezaznamenala za svou sedmiletou historii žádné zisky. Nyní čelí CME významnému rozhodnutí: Může zůstat v Polsku, což je největší středoevropský trh, kde její televizní stanice prodělává ročně asi 40 miliónů dolarů, anebo může z Polska odejít a vzdát se představy stát se nejvýznamnější mediální firmou v tomto regionu.
CME nemá peníze. V roce 1997 zaznamenala ztrátu ve výši 85 miliónů dolarů, v roce 1998 se očekává ještě více, 97 miliónů dolarů, podle zprávy podniku Merrill Lynch. Sílí tlak od investorů, kteří údajně chtějí rychle změnu. Někteří z nich nemají náladu na investice do exotických trhů a prodali své akcie CME. Jejich hodnota poklesla v říjnu 1998 na 5 dolarů, v červnu byla ještě 21.25 dolarů.
Je lákavé obviňovat newyorské investory, které už nezajímají exostické trhy, anebo špatná situace na východních trzích. Avšak analytikové tvrdí, že si většinu svých potíží CME zavinila sama. Špatné manažerské rozhodování v Maďarsku a v Polsku zastínilo mírné úspěchy na jiných trzích.
V Maďarsku investovala CME rozsáhlým způsobem nákupem pořadu pro stanici, která neexistovala. Když maďarská vláda udělila licenci, kterou chtěla CME, jiné firmě, CME musela odepsat loni v srpnu 17 miliónů dolarů.
Krvácející ranou je pro CME její polská firma - a někteří uvažují, že by ji polský podnik mohl zahubit. V Polsku CME vsadila hodně v roce 1997 na stanici TVN. Zdálo se, že přiláká hodně diváků a CME zakoupila nákladné televizní talenty. Jenže Poláci jsou zvyklí na sledování mnoha televizních stanic a stanici TVN nezačali sledovat. TVN také nezískala potřebné licence pro expansi, a tak byla nucena vrátit peníze firmám, které si u ní zadaly reklamu.
