Telenet has announced an upward revision to its FY 2012 outlook, as Liberty Global is intending to buy all of the Belgian operator.
For the full year 2012, Telenet now targets revenue growth of “between 7-8%” as compared to “between 5-6%” initially provided, driven by growth in the number of multiple-play, digital TV, Sporting Telenet and Fibernet subscribers and a growing contribution from Talent’s mobile telephony operations.
Liberty Global has been the controlling shareholder in Telenet since February 2007 and currently owns, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Binan Investments B.V., 50.4% of Telenet’s outstanding issued share capital. The offer will be based on a price of €35.00 per ordinary share.
A price of €35.00 per ordinary share represents a premium of approximately 14% over the adjusted average volume weighted closing price of approximately €30.67 for the one-month period to September 18, 2012 pro forma for the €3.25 capital reduction paid by Telenet on August 31, 2012.
Mike Fries, president and CEO of Liberty Global, commented: “We believe this is the right time for Telenet to become a wholly-owned part of Liberty Global’s pan-European platform in its next stage of development, particularly in light of the competitive and regulatory outlook in Belgium. We are proud of the success Telenet has achieved over the years and of the many innovations it has brought to Belgian consumers.”
“As a long-term, industrial player in European cable, this shows our commitment to the Belgian market. Telenet is one of our most successful operations and a core part of our growing pan- European platform. We remain very supportive of the existing management team and employees at Telenet, all of whom have contributed to the company’s success. We will continue our focus on investments and product innovation in Belgium.”
