Zee Entertainment and Sony Pictures are finally merging and creating an entertainment giant in India amidst a bitter shareholder battle between Zee and shareholder Invesco.
• ZEE will merge into Sony Pictures
• Closing of the transaction is subject to shareholder approval
• Founders of Zee just have 4% stake, while disgruntled shareholder Invesco holds 18%
• Zee’s founding family had been embroiled in a bitter battle with Invesco, its largest shareholder for the past three months
• SPE will indirectly hold a majority of 50.86% of the merged company, while ZEE promoters will hold 3.99%. Existing shareholders will hold a 45.15% equity stake in the merged company.
• Puneet Goenka to continue as CEO & MD of the merged entity
• Will create India’s second-largest entertainment network by revenue
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