Videocon D2H to merge with Dish TV; serve 28 million subscribers
The Board of Directors of Dish TV and Videocon d2h Limited today approved a scheme of arrangement for the amalgamation of Vd2h into Dish TV and the execution of definitive agreements in relation to such amalgamation.
Following the closing of the proposed transaction, the merged entity will be renamed as Dish TV Videocon Limited. Pursuant to the Scheme, Dish TV Videocon shall issue 857.791 million shares as consideration for the scheme and the Vd2h shareholders shall be allotted 2.021 new shares of Dish TV Videocon for every one share held in Vd2h (subject to certain adjustments as set out in the Scheme), which would result in Dish TV shareholders owning 1,066.861 million existing shares or 55.4% of Dish TV Videocon, and Vd2h shareholders owning 857.791 million new shares or 44.6% of Dish TV Videocon.
The fully diluted share count of Dish TV at 1,066,863,665 shares, which will lead to 857,785,766 shares of Dish TV Videocon being issued to Vd2h shareholders. Exchange ratio rounded off to two decimal places. One Vd2h ADS represents four equity shares of Vd2h.
Dish TV EBITDA are reported EBITDA figures, while Vd2h EBITDA are reported adjusted EBITDA figures; EBITDA is not a standardized term, hence direct comparison between companies using the same term may not be possible. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently from Dish TV and Vd2h, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures
Dish TV Videocon will be led by Jawahar Lal Goel as the chairman and managing director, combining the strength of senior and operating management teams while offering further career growth opportunities for employees of the two merging companies. The Vd2h principals shall have the right to nominate two directors on the Dish TV Videocon Board, one of whom shall be the vice chairman and the other a deputy managing director.
The proposed transaction is expected to create a leading cable and satellite distribution platform in India. Dish TV Videocon would serve 27.6 million net subscribers in India, as of September 30, 2016, on a pro-forma basis, out of a total of 175 million TV households in India highlighting significant room for growth. The combined entity would have revenue of Rs. 59,158 million and EBITDA2 of Rs. 18,262 million on a pro-forma basis for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2016 positioning it as a leading media company in India. The proposed transaction is expected to provide better synergies and growth opportunities and enable Dish TV Videocon to provide differentiated and superior service to all customers through deeper after-sales, distribution and technology capabilities, and also become a more effective partner for TV content providers in India.
Goel said: “This transaction, that brings together two powerhouse brands of the cable & satellite Industry in India, will provide us with a gateway to harness growth opportunities in an ultra-competitive multi player environment. This combine will enhance value for all stakeholders – consumers, government, employees and shareholders. Dish TV has been a pioneering and path breaking company which has taken the pain and responsibility of establishing many new processes, like the electronic & digital payments system that were the business need of the initial years and went on to become the industry norm of a dynamic and throbbing Industry. Now we take the next leap in our very exciting and exhilarating journey.”
Vd2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said: “Today, we are very excited about this strategic combination to create a solid platform with decisive and proven leadership at the front would lead Dish TV Videocon to create value for all stakeholders, our customers, employees, and our shareholders.”
At the close of the proposed transaction, the current promoters of Dish TV shall continue as promoters of Dish TV Videocon. The Dish TV principals are also in discussion with the Vd2h principals to purchase some of the Vd2h principals’ shares in Dish TV Videocon post the amalgamation, details of which are likely to be finalised soon.
http://www.indiantelevision.com/dth/dth-operator/videocon-d2h-to-merge-with-dish-tv-create-leading-cable-satellite-distribution-platform-in-india-161111
