Alibaba Group Holding Limited and Youku Tudou Inc. today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which an affiliate of Alibaba Group (“Alibaba”) will acquire Youku Tudou Inc., a leading multi-screen entertainment and media company in China, in an all-cash transaction.
The merger is expected to to close in the first quarter of 2016, but it is still subject to customary closing conditions, including the affirmative vote of the shares of Youku Tudou representing at least two-thirds of the shares present and voting in person or by proxy as a single class at an extraordinary general meeting of Youku Tudou’s shareholders.
Victor Koo will remain as Chairman and CEO Youku Tudou
Upon completion of the Transaction, the shareholders of Youku Tudou, other than the current investment entity controlled by Alibaba, will have the right to receive $27.60 per American Depositary Share.
The price represents a premium of 35.1% over the closing price of Youku Tudou’s ADSs on October 15, 2015, one day prior to the date that Youku Tudou announced it had received a “going private” proposal from Alibaba
Once closed the merger, Victor Koo will remain as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Youku Tudou. If the
Transaction is completed, Youku Tudou’s ADSs will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
60.6% of the capital equity of Youku Tudou already supports the merger
Alibaba has entered into a support agreement with Youku Tudou’s Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Victor Koo, Chengwei Capital and various entities affiliated with them pursuant to which such shareholders have agreed to, among other things and solely in their capacity as shareholders of Youku Tudou, vote all of the ordinary shares of Youku Tudou beneficially owned by them in favor of the Transaction and against any competing transaction in accordance with the terms of the support agreement. Alibaba and the parties to the support agreement collectively beneficially own approximately 60.6% of the total voting power of the Youku Tudou shares.
“We believe this combination with Alibaba maximizes value for Youku Tudou shareholders and significantly benefits our customers, users and team,” said Victor Koo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Youku Tudou. “We are eager to work with Alibaba to grow our multi-screen entertainment and media ecosystem. We are confident that we will strengthen our market position and further accelerate our growth through the integration of our advertising and consumer businesses with Alibaba’s platform and Alipay services. With Alibaba’s support, Youku Tudou’s future as the leading multi-screen entertainment and media platform in China has been firmly secured.”
Image over the headline.- Alibaba logo. © Alibaba Group.
Related Eastwindmarketing links:
Alibaba , eyeing full purchase of Youku Tudou
Youku Tudou TV App penetration goes further through four strategical agreements signed in April
http://www.eastwindmarketing.es/blogs/eastwindmarketingycomunicacion/en/2014/04/24/youku-tudou-tv-app-enetration-goes-further-through-four-strategical-agreements-signed-in-april/
Youku Tudou launches Xingmen interactive entertainment platform
http://www.eastwindmarketing.es/blogs/eastwindmarketingycomunicacion/en/2014/04/09/youku-tudou-launches-xingmen-interactive-entertainment-platform/
Youku Tudou and Sina to share contents and drive cross promotion
http://www.eastwindmarketing.es/blogs/eastwindmarketingycomunicacion/en/2013/06/08/youku-tudou-and-sina-to-share-contents-and-drive-cross-promotion/
Tudou revamps and gets diferenciated against “sister” brand Youku
http://www.eastwindmarketing.es/blogs/eastwindmarketingycomunicacion/en/2012/09/26/tudou-revamps-and-gets-diferenciated-against-sister-brand-youku/
Youku and Tudou merge
http://www.eastwindmarketing.es/blogs/eastwindmarketingycomunicacion/en/2012/03/13/youku-and-tudou-merge/
