New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA
A consortium led by Sony Corporation of America and its equity partners Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Comcast Corporation and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, together with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE: MGM), announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which the investor
group will acquire MGM for $12.00 in cash per MGM share, plus the assumption of MGM's approximately $2.0 billion in debt.
The investor group has committed a total of $1.6 billion in equity financing to acquire MGM as follows: Providence Equity Partners -- $525 million, Texas Pacific Group -- $350 million, Sony Corporation of America -- $300 million, Comcast Corporation -- $300 million, and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners -- $125 million. JP Morgan Chase has committed to lead a bank syndicate to provide up to $4.25 billion in senior debt financing together with Credit Suisse First Boston.
From today until closing, MGM will continue as an active producer of film and television projects, and will continue to greenlight projects under the MGM and United Artists banners in the ordinary course of business consistent with its current business plan. Following the closing of the transaction, MGM will continue to operate under the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer name as a private company headquartered in Los Angeles.
Also following the close, Sony Pictures Entertainment will co-finance and produce new motion pictures with MGM as well as distribute MGM's existing film and television content through Sony Pictures' global distribution channels. As previously announced, Comcast, Sony Pictures Entertainment and the equity partners in the MGM transaction have agreed to a broad programming and distribution arrangement that will allow for the distribution of Sony Pictures' and MGM content on Comcast's video on demand platform, and for the creation of a joint venture, to be managed by Comcast, establishing new cable channels featuring Sony Pictures and MGM content.
"We are delighted to be able to make this announcement today together with our partners," said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sony Corporation of America. "We all look forward to preserving and enhancing the legendary franchise that is MGM, and to ensuring that its extraordinary
content continues to be enjoyed by people around the world."
"This is a compelling strategic transaction that will give MGM the ideal partners to build on its unique legacy," said Alex Yemenidjian, Chairman and CEO of MGM. "This transaction will deliver the full value of MGM to our
shareholders, while creating significant value-creation opportunities for the new owners and expanded options for consumers to enjoy MGM's content."
"This transaction presents a unique opportunity to enhance the value of MGM's exceptional film library through the world-class distribution capabilities of both Sony and Comcast," said Jonathan Nelson, Chief Executive
Officer of Providence Equity Partners Inc. "We look forward to working closely with our fellow investors to increase the value of MGM's content in the years ahead."
"We are delighted to join with such a powerful group of partners in this acquisition of a truly legendary entertainment company," said Kelvin Davis, partner, Texas Pacific Group. "We're excited about the opportunity to build upon the unique film franchises which MGM has developed over its distinguished
history."
Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian L. Roberts said, "This is a terrific partnership. We are delighted to be working with Sony and the other partners to substantially expand the content available to our customers, and our direct investment further underscores our excitement over this opportunity."
"We believe this landmark transaction -- partnering with two great global entertainment companies -- is an exciting opportunity for both our partners and investors," said Thompson Dean, Managing Partner of DLJ Merchant Banking Partners.
The transaction, which has been approved by the Board of Directors of MGM, is subject to the approval of MGM shareholders, various regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Tracinda Corporation and 250 Rodeo Inc., MGM's principal shareholders, have entered into a Voting and Support Agreement agreeing to vote their shares in favor of the proposed merger. The merger agreement contains no financing contingency. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2005. Employees of MGM and its subsidiaries will have the
opportunity to be considered for available positions that may arise as a result of the transaction.
JP Morgan Chase is acting as the lead arranger for all of the debt financing, and Credit Suisse First Boston is a co-underwriter. Credit Suisse First Boston, JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup are acting as financial advisors
to the investor group. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Banc of America Securities are acting as financial advisors to MGM. Allen & Company, Inc. and The Blackstone Group L.P. are acting as advisors to Sony Corporation of America.
About Sony Corporation of America
Sony Corporation of America, based in New York City, is the U.S.
subsidiary of Sony Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo. Sony is a leading
manufacturer of audio, video, communications, and information technology
products for the consumer and professional markets. Its music, motion picture,
television, computer entertainment, and online businesses make Sony one of the
most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Sony's principal U.S.
businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony
Computer Entertainment America Inc., and a 50% interest in Sony BMG Music
Entertainment, one of the largest recorded music companies in the world. Sony
recorded consolidated annual sales of over $72 billion for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2004, and it employs 162,000 people worldwide. Sony's
consolidated sales in the U.S. for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004 were
$20.4 billion. For more information see http://www.sony.com.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE: MGM), through its Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Studios Inc. subsidiary, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and
distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video,
interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the
world's largest library of modern films, comprising about 4,000 titles.
Operating units include MGM Pictures, United Artists, MGM Television
Entertainment, MGM Networks, MGM Distribution Co., MGM Worldwide Television
Distribution, MGM Home Entertainment, MGM On Stage, MGM Consumer Products, MGM
Music, MGM Interactive and MGM Direct. In addition, MGM has ownership
interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. For
more information, visit http://www.mgm.com.
About Providence Equity Partners Inc.
Providence Equity Partners Inc. is one of the world's leading private
investment firms specializing in equity investments in media and
communications companies. The principals of Providence Equity manage funds
with over $9 billion in equity commitments and have invested in more than 70
companies operating in over 20 countries since the firm's inception in 1991.
Current and previous areas of investment include cable television content and
distribution, wireless and wireline telephony, publishing, radio and
television broadcasting and other media and communications sectors.
Significant investments include VoiceStream Wireless, Warner Music Group,
PanAmSat, AT&T Canada, eircom plc, Casema, Kabel Deutschland, Language Line,
F&W Publications, ProSiebenSat.1, and Bresnan Broadband Holdings. The firm
has offices in Providence, New York and London. Visit
http://www.provequity.comfor additional information
About Texas Pacific Group
Texas Pacific Group, founded in 1993 and based in Fort Worth, Texas, San
Francisco and London, is one of the world's leading private investment firms
managing over $13 billion in assets. TPG looks to invest in world-class
franchises across a range of industries, including significant investments in
branded consumer franchises (Burger King, Del Monte, Ducati), leading
retailers (Petco, J.Crew, Debenhams - UK), healthcare (Oxford Health Plans,
Quintiles Transnational), technology companies (ON Semiconductor, MEMC,
Seagate), and airlines (Continental, America West), among others.
About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (http://www.comcast.com) is principally involved in
the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks, and in
the provision of programming content. The Company is the largest provider of
cable and broadband services in the United States, serving more than 21
million cable television customers and more than 6 million high-speed Internet
customers. The Company's content businesses include majority ownership of
Comcast Spectacor, Comcast SportsNet, E! Entertainment Television, Style
Network, G4techTV, The Golf Channel, International Channel and Outdoor Life
Network. Comcast Class A common stock and Class A Special common stock trade
on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbols CMCSA and CMCSK, respectively.
About DLJ Merchant Banking Partners
DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (DLJMB) is a leading private equity investor
that has a 19-year record of investing in leveraged buyouts and related
transactions across a broad range of industries. DLJMB, with offices in New
York, London, Houston and Buenos Aires, is part of Credit Suisse First
Boston's Alternative Capital Division (ACD), which is one of the largest
alternative asset managers in the world with more than $36 billion of assets
under management. ACD is comprised of $20 billion of private equity assets
under management across a diverse family of funds, including leveraged buyout
funds, mezzanine funds, real estate funds, venture capital funds, fund of
funds and secondary funds, as well as more than $16 billion of assets under
management through its hedge fund (both direct and fund of funds), leveraged
loan and CDO businesses.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document may contain statements that constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are
statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Such forward-
looking statements reflect Sony Corporation's ("Sony"), Comcast Corporation
("Comcast") and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.'s ("MGM") current expectations and
beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and
other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements. For example, such risks,
uncertainties, assumptions and other factors include, without limitation, the
possibility that: (1) the consortium and MGM may be unable to obtain the
required stockholder or regulatory approvals; (2) problems may arise in
successfully integrating the businesses; (3) the acquisition may involve
unexpected costs; (4) the consortium may be unable to achieve cost-cutting
synergies; (5) the businesses may suffer as a result of uncertainty
surrounding the acquisition; and (6) the new company may be subject to future
regulatory or legislative action. For a further discussion of these and other
risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, see Sony's, Comcast's and
MGM's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. None of Sony,
Comcast and MGM undertakes any duty to update forward-looking statements.
In connection with the proposed transaction, MGM will file a proxy
statement and other materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND THESE MATERIALS WHEN THEY
BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. MGM and its
officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies with respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding such
individuals is included in MGM's proxy statements and Annual Reports on Form
10K previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and will be
included in the proxy statement relating to the proposed merger when it
becomes available. Investors may obtain a free copy of the proxy statements
and other relevant documents when they become available as well as other
material filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning MGM and
these individuals at the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at
http://www.sec.gov. These materials and other documents may also be obtained
for free from: MGM at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 10250 Constellation Boulevard, Los
Angeles, California 90067, Attn: Investor Relations.
