TF1 & DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS FINALIZE AGREEMENT AND MOVE FORWARD TO BUILD THREE-TIER STRATEGIC ALLIANCE ACROSS EUROSPORT, FOUR PAY-TV CHANNELS AND PRODUCTION
(Silver Spring, Md.) Following a favourable opinion from the employee representative bodies and in line with the terms of the press release published on 13 December 2012, TF1 and Discovery Communications are announcing the signature and closing today of their strategic alliance agreement.
The acquisition by Discovery of the 20% interest in Eurosport was based on an enterprise valuation of €170 million (approximately US$221.6 million). The acquisition by Discovery of the 20% interest in Pay TV (TV Breizh, Histoire, Ushuaïa TV and Stylía) was based on an enterprise valuation of €14 million (approximately US$18.2 million).
Commenting, Nonce Paolini, Chairman and CEO of TF1, said: “I am very pleased to sign this major agreement with one of the world’s largest media companies. It ties in with TF1’s determination to open up ambitious prospects for its pay-TV channel distribution business, while ensuring the territorial development of Eurosport worldwide and optimising the distribution of its channels in France. It also enables TF1 Production to grow its expertise in content creation outside France”.
Mark Hollinger, president and CEO of Discovery Networks International stated, “I am delighted to be able to start working more closely with the TF1 teams across Eurosport, their four pay-TV channels and their production teams. Bringing TF1’s strong flagships and sports programming, and pan regional sales expertise to Discovery’s powerful brand, global footprint and local sales expertise represents a win-win in my book. I look forward to a very successful relationship over the next two years and beyond.”
Rothschild Inc. acted as financial advisor to Discovery Communications on this transaction. DLA Piper served as legal advisors. Darrois Villey Mailot Brochier served as legal advisors to TF1 on this transaction.
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