Warner Bros. and CME to Partner in Developing New TV Channels for CME
Audiences
Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. ("CME") (Nasdaq/Prague Stock
Exchange: CETV) and Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) today announced
that Time Warner will invest US$241.5 million in CME, a leading media
company in Central and Eastern Europe.
For this investment, Time Warner will receive 19 million newly issued
CME common shares, consisting of 14.5 million shares of Class A Common
Stock at a price of US$12.00 per share and 4.5 million shares of Class B
Common Stock at a price of US$15.00 per share – approximately a 31%
interest in CME. In connection with this transaction, Time Warner is
agreeing to allow CME founder and Non-Executive Chairman Ronald S.
Lauder to vote Time Warner’s shares of CME for at least four years,
subject to certain exceptions. Also, Mr. Lauder has pledged to support
Time Warner’s appointment of two of its designees to CME’s board of
directors. The closing of the investment is subject to a vote of CME’s
shareholders and certain regulatory approvals, and Mr. Lauder has
committed to voting the shares he controls in favor of the transaction.
The transaction is expected to close before the end of the second
quarter of 2009.
In addition, Warner Bros. and CME have separately agreed to form a
partnership to launch and operate new thematic television channels in
current CME territories. These channels, some of which will be Warner
Bros. branded, will feature international films and television series,
including titles from Warner Bros.’ industry-leading library.
Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Lauder said: “I’m confident that
this alliance with Time Warner will accelerate CME’s future development
and take it to levels I could only dream of fifteen years ago. The
combination of CME’s market-leading positions and Time Warner’s brands
will enhance the prospects of both companies as we work together.”
Time Warner Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bewkes said: “This
transaction with CME is a unique opportunity for us to invest in – and
partner with – one of the leading media companies in Central and Eastern
Europe. While the region has been experiencing the impact of the global
economic crisis, we believe CME is ideally positioned over the long term
as Central and Eastern Europe returns to significant growth and the
media sector in these countries continues to evolve.