Rupert Murdoch-controlled U.K. pay TV operator BSkyB announced deals on Friday to take control of its German and Italian sister companies to create a pan-European pay TV giant. The total value of the deals will be 5.35 billion ($9.09 billion).
Murdoch's 21st Century Fox owns a 39% stake in BSkyB, 100% of Sky Italia and 57% of Sky Deutschland. The proposed deals, which are subject to shareholder approval, will see BSkyB acquire Fox's stakes in Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland. It also will bid for the remaining Sky Deutschland shares.
The acquisition of Sky Italia will cost 2.45 billion ($4.16 billion) with approximately 2.07 billion ($3.51 billion) to be paid in cash, and the balance to be secured through the transfer of BSkyB's 21% stake in National Geographic Channel Intl. to Fox at a value of 382 million ($649 million).
The acquisition of Fox's shareholding in Sky Deutschland will cost 2.9 billion ($4.92 billion) in cash, valuing Sky Deutschland at EUR6.75 ($9.09) a share. BSkyB will offer Sky Deutschland minority shareholders that price for the remaining shares.
The total worth of the deals to buy Sky Italia and 57% of Sky Deutschland would be 5.35 billion ($9.09 billion). Depending on how many Sky Deutschland minority shareholders accept the offer for their shares, the total cash consideration overall may be up to approximately 7 billion ($11.9 billion).
The coin will add to Fox's war-chest, which it could dip into should it decide to make an improved bid for Time Warner.
The merged entity, which some observers are calling Sky Europe, will have 20 million pay TV subscribers in the U.K., Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria. Potentially, Sky Europe will be able to reach up to 97 million households. The German market offers large opportunities for growth. Only 20% of German households subscribe to premium pay TV channels, compared with 50% in the U.K., according to research group IDATE. Italy is a tougher market -- Sky Italia has lost more than 200,000 customers since 2011.
Goldman Sachs analysts estimate that combining the three companies could generate synergies of 100 million ($170 million) by 2017, the Financial Times reported Thursday.
Jeremy Darroch, BSkyB's chief executive, said: "This transaction will create a world-class, multinational pay TV business with enhanced headroom for growth and immediate benefits of scale. The three Sky businesses are leaders in their home markets and will be even stronger together. By creating the new Sky, we will be able to use our collective strengths and expertise to serve customers better, grow faster and enhance returns."
Financial analysts have speculated in recent days that Murdoch's long-term goal may be to acquire the remaining shares in BSkyB and then sell Sky Europe to a telco.
BSkyB also announced results for the 12 months ended June 30. Adjusted revenue was up 7% to 7.6 billion ($12.9 billion). Profit after tax was 937 million ($1.59 million), compared with 969 million ($1.65 billion) in 2013.
(C) 2014 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
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