Zee Entertainment Rallies After Board Gives Nod On Merger With Sony Pictures Networks India

Punit Goenka will proceed to be the Managing Director and CEO of the merged entity.

Shares of Zee Entertainment rallied as a lot as 24 per cent to hit contemporary 52-week excessive of Rs 317 on the BSE after the corporate's board gave approval to its merger with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI). As per the deal shareholders of Sony Pictures Networks India will maintain a majority stake within the merged entity and also will infuse development capital of roughly $1.575 billion to be used in pursuing different development alternatives, Zee Entertainment mentioned in an alternate submitting. (Track Zee Entertainment share value right here)

"Basis the existing estimated equity values of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and SPNI, the indicative merger ratio would have been 61.25% in favour of ZEEL. However, with the proposed infusion of growth capital into SPNI, the resultant merger ratio is expected to result in 47.07% of the merged entity to be held by ZEEL shareholders and the balance 52.93% of the merged entity to be held by SPNI shareholders," Zee Entertainment mentioned.

Both the businesses have entered right into a non-binding time period sheet to mix each firms' linear networks, digital property, manufacturing operations and program libraries. The time period sheet supplies an unique interval of 90 days throughout which Zee and Sony Pictures will conduct mutual diligence and finalize definitive settlement(s). The merged entity might be a publicly listed firm in India.

Punit Goenka will proceed to be the Managing Director and CEO of the merged entity.

"The Board of Directors at ZEEL have conducted a strategic review of the merger proposal between SPNI and ZEEL. As a Board that encompasses a blend of highly accomplished professionals having rich expertise across varied sectors, we always keep in mind the best interests of all the shareholders and ZEEL. We have unanimously provided an in-principle approval to the proposal and have advised the management to initiate the due diligence process," R. Gopalan, Chairman, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises, mentioned in a press release.

As of 10:11 am, Zee Entertainment shares traded 20 per cent larger at Rs 306.80, massively outperforming the Sensex which was buying and selling on a flat observe.