Join Forces with Top Brands at Portada Live, NYC, Sept, 19, 2024!

Three Networks join to create publicly traded Hispanic TV Company

Content

InterMedia and Azteca Acquisition Corporation announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which InterMedia will merge Cinelatino and InterMedia Español Holdings, LLC, which includes WAPA America and WAPA TV (together, “WAPA”), with Azteca Acquisition Corporation, a company owned by Houston Dynamo football team owner Gabriel Brener. The  transaction is valued at approximately $400 million.

InterMedia currently owns Cinelatino with Cinema Aeropuerto, S.A. de C.V., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Grupo MVS, S.A. de C.V., and James McNamara. The new company will be called Hemisphere Media Group, Inc. (“Hemisphere”), and will be the only publicly traded, pure-play U.S. Hispanic TV/cable networks and content platform.  Hemisphere intends to apply for listing of the shares of Hemisphere Class A common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

Potential Acquisition Targets and Latam Expansion

Alan J. Sokol, Senior Partner of InterMedia, who will become CEO of Hemisphere, stated in a press release that  “the combination of these two companies creates a powerful new presence in Hispanic media. Since InterMedia acquired WAPA and Cinelatino in 2007, we have dramatically increased ratings, revenue and profitability of both companies. Cinelatino has emerged as the leading Spanish-language movie channel and the #2 rated U.S. Hispanic cable network overall. WAPA TV has been the highest-rated television network in Puerto Rico for four consecutive years and WAPA America is the only network focused specifically on Puerto Ricans and other Caribbean Hispanics throughout the States. I look forward to working with our talented management teams to continue to build upon this success as we enter this new chapter.” Sokol told the Financial Times that he would not discuss potential acquisition targets but that Hemisphere was interested in Hispanic cable channels, Spanish-language content production and distribution, and expanding in Latin America.

Gabriel Brener, CEO of Azteca Acquisition Corporation, stated: “We are thrilled to be merging with and taking public these exciting, highly profitable and complementary companies, which have performed exceptionally under the operational and industry expertise of Alan Sokol and his teams. Hemisphere will meet the growing media demands of Hispanic consumers.”

Peter Kern, Managing Partner of InterMedia, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Gabriel Brener to combine these premier Spanish-language assets under one roof. With the U.S. Hispanic population and its buying power continuing to grow at exceptional rates, Hemisphere is a unique platform positioned to succeed in the most dynamic market in media and represents the only way for the public to invest in a pure-play Hispanic TV/cable network business.”

Following the completion of the business combination, Peter Kern, Managing Partner of InterMedia, will serve as Chairman of Hemisphere Media Group. Mr. Kern has over 20 years of experience investing in, advising and operating a variety of large and small media companies. Mr. Sokol, the former COO of Telemundo, who has over 18 years of experience in the television and motion picture industries as an operator, advisor and investor, will serve as Chief Executive Officer of Hemisphere Media Group. Craig Fischer, who worked closely with Mr. Sokol at InterMedia in overseeing these companies, will serve as Hemisphere Media Group’s Chief Financial Officer. Messr. Brener and Sokol will become Directors of the new company.

Current Azteca shareholders will own about 27 per cent of Hemisphere on the deal’s completion, which is expected by April 6, with one vote per share, while InterMedia and other investors in Cinelatino will own about 73 per cent with 10 votes per share.
[ctalatamb]

Meet & Learn
Portada Live Events

Popular Now

Boost Your Sales

Who is Moving Now

The Latest

Get our e-letters packed with news and intelligence!