Virgin Media Inc. (NASDAQ:VMED), a leading UK entertainment and
communications business, today announced the closing of the offering of
approximately $1 billion equivalent aggregate principal amount of Senior
Notes due 2016, split into a $750 million dollar denominated tranche and
a €180 million euro denominated tranche, of its wholly-owned subsidiary
Virgin Media Finance PLC.
The notes are guaranteed on a senior basis by Virgin Media Inc. and the
intermediate holding companies of Virgin Media Finance PLC and on a
senior subordinated basis by Virgin Media Investment Holdings Limited,
the main borrower under Virgin Media’s senior credit facilities. The
notes rank pari passu with Virgin Media Finance’s outstanding senior
notes due in 2014 and 2016.
Both the dollar denominated notes and the euro denominated notes bear
interest at a rate of 9.50% per annum. Interest on each series of notes
will be payable in cash semi-annually in arrears, beginning on February
15, 2010.
The issue price of the notes was 95.574% of the principal amount and the
net proceeds from the offering, taking into account fees and expenses,
are estimated to be approximately £588.8 million, based on a $/£
exchange rate of $1.5892 and a €/£ exchange rate of €1.1347 on May 22,
2009. Virgin Media intends to use these net proceeds to prepay a portion
of the outstanding loans under its senior credit facilities.
Neil Berkett, chief executive of Virgin Media, said: "Our successful
raising of $1 billion in bonds, particularly in the current market,
demonstrates the confidence investors have in our business and growth
prospects. We have prudently managed our debt and continue
to generate strong levels of cashflow whilst executing a financially
disciplined strategy. Our business is in excellent shape and we continue
to deliver a differentiated and highly competitive consumer proposition
which exploits our strengths in next generation broadband and
video-on-demand."
This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy the notes, nor shall there be any sale
of the notes in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale
would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such state. A registration statement relating to
the notes became effective on May 27, 2009, and this offering is being
made by means of a prospectus supplement.
Virgin Media cautions you that statements included in this press
release that are not a description of historical facts are
forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties,
assumptions and other factors which, if they do not materialize or prove
correct, could cause Virgin Media’s results to differ materially from
historical results or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Certain of these factors are discussed in more detail under
“Risk Factors” and elsewhere in Virgin Media’s Form 10-K filed with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2009. There can
be no assurance that the transactions contemplated in this announcement
will be completed. Virgin Media assumes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statement included in this announcement to reflect
events or circumstances arising after the date on which it was made.
Investor Relations contacts:
Virgin Media
Richard
Williams
+44 (0) 20 7299 5479
richard.williams@virginmedia.co.uk
or
Vani
Bassi
+44 (0) 20 7299 5353
vani.bassi@virginmedia.co.uk
or
Media
contacts:
Tavistock Media
or
Matt Ridsdale
+44
(0) 7545 577 754
mridsdale@tavistock.co.uk
or
Lulu
Bridges
+44 (0) 7831 170 364
lbridges@tavistock.co.uk