Network18 and TV18 announce rights issues

The Board of Directors of TV18 Broadcast Limited (TV18) at its meeting held yesterday approved the acquisition of 100% interest in regional news channels in Hindi, namely ETV Uttar Pradesh, ETV Madhya Pradesh, ETV Rajasthan and ETV Bihar and ETV Urdu channel (ETV news channels); 50% interest in ETV Marathi, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla, ETV Gujarati and ETV Oriya (ETV non Telugu GEC Channels); and 24.50% interest in ETV Telugu and ETV Telugu News (“ETV Telugu Channels”). TV18 will have Board and Management Control of ETV News Channels and ETV non Telugu GEC Channels. The Board has approved an outlay of up to Rs 2,100 crores for this acquisition. Legally binding agreements will be executed for this purpose.

TV18 has an option to buy the balance 50% interest in ETV non Telugu GEC Channels and additional 24.50% interest of ETV Telugu Channels.

As a part of the deal for acquisition of ETV Channels, Network18 and TV18 have also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Infotel Broadband Services Limited (“Infotel”), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, under which the companies and their associates will have the right to distribute the content of all the media and web properties of Network18 and programming and digital content of all the broadcasting channels (including the ETV Channels which are being acquired by the Company) through fourth generation broadband network of Infotel. Infotel shall have preferential access to this content on a first right basis as a most preferred customer.

Network 18 Media & Investments Limited (Network18) at the board meeting held today approved a rights issue of equity shares to raise an amount up to Rs 2,700 crores at a price to be determined by the Board in compliance with regulatory requirements, but not exceeding Rs 60 per equity share.

TV18 Broadcast Limited (TV18) at the board meeting held yesterday approved a rights issue of equity shares to raise an amount up to Rs 2,700 crores at a price to be determined by the Board in compliance with regulatory requirements, but not exceeding Rs 40 per equity share.

Network18, being the promoter and holder of majority equity in TV18, would be subscribing to about Rs 1,400 crores in the rights issue of TV18 – therefore, once this subscription amount is netted out, the net aggregate rights issue of both Network18 and TV18 will result in a fund  raising of about Rs 4,000 crores. The contribution of the current promoter entities of Network18 in this net aggregate rights issue of both Network18 and TV18 will be about Rs 1,700 crores.

TV18 will utilise the rights issue proceeds to repay the existing debt, fund the acquisition of ETV channels and fund working capital needs. Network18 will utilise the Rights Issue proceeds to repay the existing debt and subscribe to the Rights Issue of TV18.

The promoters of Network18 will be subscribing to their entitlement in full. The promoters also reserve the right to subscribe to any unsubscribed public portion of the rights issues. Raghav Bahl, the promoter of Network18 and TV18, has informed that promoter companies have entered into an arrangement with Independent Media Trust, a trust set up for the benefit of Reliance Industries Limited, to secure the funding required for this purpose.

Further, Raghav Bahl, founder and promoter, shall continue to retain management and 51% control over Network18 and 51% control over TV18 through Network18.

Both the companies will be filing the draft letters of offer for their respective rights issues shortly.

Bahl said, “This is a truly seminal moment in the 18-year-old history of Network18/TV18. By inducting such a significant amount of equity, our balance sheets will become among the strongest in the industry. Also, by acquiring this strategic control over several ETV Channels, TV18 will have a bouquet of leading television channels. Riding on the imminent digital wave, I am convinced that this acquisition is a significant move which will catapult TV18 into the forefront of India's broadcasting industry. The proposed preferred access arrangement with Infotel Broadband will ensure that our content and services will be available on India.s premier technology distribution platform, with the widest catchment of high quality consumers across the country. Further, on a debt free basis, both Network18 and TV18 hope to strengthen their position in various media segments like news & entertainment broadcasting, consumer internet, digital and print publications, filmed entertainment, home-shopping, e-commerce and other emerging businesses.”

Ernst & Young (P) Limited (E&Y) acted as advisors for financial and tax due diligence and valuation of the assets. The legal due diligence was carried out by Khaitan & Co.