ADVERTISEMENT

Sony Pictures India To Buy Zee Entertainment

Zee Entertainment's board announced a merger deal with Sony India
Zee Entertainment's board announced a merger deal with Sony India

Zee Entertainment signed a merger deal with Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited, according to a regulatory filing by the media company to the stock exchanges on Wednesday, September 22. Zee Entertainment's board of directors unanimously approved the merger between Sony Pictures Networks India and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), in a board meeting held today. 

Mr Punit Goenka will continue to be the Managing Director (MD) and CEO of the merged entity. The promoters of Sony India will have the right to appoint the majority of directors to the merged company. (Also Read: Zee Entertainment Rallies After Board Gives Nod To Merger With Sony Pictures )

Zee Entertainment will hold 47.07 per cent stake, while Sony India will hold a majority stake of 52.93 per cent in the merged company, according to the statement. Majority of the board of directors of the merged entity will be nominated by the Sony Group. Both the firms have agreed to a binding exclusivity for a period of 90 days - during which definitive agreements will be conducted and finalised. The merged entity will be a publicly listed company.

''ZEEL continues to chart a strong growth trajectory and the Board firmly believes that this merger will further benefit ZEEL. The value of the merged entity and the immense synergies drawn between both the conglomerates will not only boost business growth but will also enable shareholders to benefit from its future successes,'' said Mr. R. Gopalan, Chairman, Zee Entertainment. 

''As per legal and regulatory guidelines, at the required stage, the proposal will be presented to the esteemed shareholders of ZEEL for their approval,'' added Mr Gopalan. 

Zee Entertainment and Sony India have entered into a non-binding term sheet to combine the linear networks, production operations, digital assets, and program libraries of both the companies.