/C O R R E C T I O N -- Corus Entertainment Inc (IR Group)/
In the news release, <
CORUS ENTERTAINMENT MAILS AND FILES SPECIAL MEETING MATERIALS IN CONNECTION WITH PROPOSED RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTION
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Corus' board of directors unanimously recommends that Senior Noteholders and Shareholders vote in favour of the proposed Recapitalization Transaction to strengthen Corus' financial position, support a sustainable business strategy, and preserve value for Corus' various stakeholders
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Recapitalization Transaction expected to materially reduce existing debt, maintain secured lending facility, and increase liquidity access over several years
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Securityholders will be asked to approve the Recapitalization Transaction in two separate, consecutive meetings to be held on
Friday, January 30, 2026
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If the Company fails to implement the Recapitalization Transaction, it will need to pursue alternative restructuring strategies, in which case it is unlikely that there will be any recovery of any kind for holders of shares of Corus
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Senior Noteholders or Shareholders who have questions or need voting assistance should contact Corus' Proxy Solicitation Agent,
Laurel Hill Advisory Group , by email at assistance@laurelhill.com, or by texting "INFO" to, or calling, 1-877-452-7184 (North American toll-free)
Background
Corus' significant debt burden and the upcoming maturities in 2027 of the eighth amended and restated credit agreement, and in 2028 and 2030 of the Senior Notes, as well as ongoing industry and regulatory challenges, have created an urgent need to address the Company's capital structure.
Corus' board of directors (the "Board") has undertaken extensive efforts since early 2024 to address the Company's balance sheet and financial challenges. This included conducting a comprehensive strategic review with the assistance of leading financial and legal advisors, of the viability of various financing, sale, or restructuring options available to the Company.
After careful consideration of all available options, the Board has determined that the Recapitalization Transaction described in the Circular represents the best path forward for Corus at this time. The Recapitalization Transaction is being implemented pursuant to a plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "CBCA").
As of
Recapitalization Transaction - Strategic Rationale and Highlights
The Recapitalization Transaction is anticipated to deliver significant financial benefits, if approved and implemented, including:
- total reduction of third-party indebtedness and other liabilities of more than
$500 million ; - annual cash interest savings of up to
$40 million ; - continued access to the senior secured revolving credit facility (the commitment for which has been increased from
$75 million to$125 million ) to support ongoing operations and liquidity; and - extension of relief of certain financial covenants under the senior credit facility to
February 28, 2026 .
The Recapitalization Transaction contemplates the following key elements:
- a new corporation ("NewCo") will be incorporated under the CBCA with authorized capital, including Variable Voting Shares and Common Voting Shares (collectively, the "NewCo Shares");
- the Company's existing senior secured revolving credit facility will be amended and restated into a new, first lien
$125 million secured revolving credit facility; - the Company's existing secured term loan of approximately
$301 million will be fully settled and exchanged at par value, and the Company will issue new first lien senior secured notes in the aggregate principal amount of$300 million with a 5-year maturity date; - the Senior Notes will be settled in exchange for: (i) cash equal to the accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the Senior Notes; (ii) NewCo Shares; and (iii)
$250 million principal amount of new second lien senior secured notes issued by Corus with a 6-year maturity date in an equal aggregate principal amount. These NewCo Shares are expected to represent, in aggregate, 99% of the issued and outstanding shares of NewCo, on a non-diluted basis; - all accrued but unpaid interest on the Senior Notes will be paid in cash on closing of the Recapitalization Transaction;
- all of the Company's outstanding Class A Voting Shares and Class B Non-Voting Shares (collectively, the "Existing Shares") will be exchanged on a 1:1 basis for NewCo Shares that are expected to represent, in aggregate, 1% of all of the issued and outstanding shares of NewCo, on a non-diluted basis;
- all of the outstanding NewCo Shares will be consolidated on the basis of one NewCo Share for every 500 existing NewCo Shares;
- the Company will apply to the
Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") to have the NewCo Shares substituted for the Company's Class B Non-Voting Shares with the result that, subject to the approval of the TSX and the satisfaction of customary listing conditions, the NewCo Shares will be voting shares and publicly traded on the TSX; - NewCo will own all of the shares of the Company;
- holders of the new first lien senior secured notes will be granted warrants to purchase NewCo Shares that will represent 10% of the fully diluted equity of NewCo;
- certain key leases will be renegotiated on acceptable terms; and
- the Board will be refreshed at closing and shall be comprised of, initially, five directors.
Likely No Recovery for Shareholders if Recapitalization Transaction Is Not Completed
Without the Recapitalization Transaction, or in the event it is not completed on the terms and timeline currently contemplated, the Company will need to pursue alternative restructuring strategies, possibly under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (
Board Recommendation
After careful consideration and based on a number of factors, and after an extensive review of alternatives with its legal and financial advisors, the Board has determined that the Recapitalization Transaction is in the best interests of the Company and its stakeholders, and unanimously recommends that the Senior Noteholders and Shareholders vote FOR the Recapitalization Transaction.
Vote Today
Your vote is important, no matter how many Corus shares or notes you hold.
The Board unanimously recommends that the Senior Noteholders and Shareholders
vote FOR the Recapitalization Transaction.
Securityholders are encouraged to vote well in advance of the proxy deadlines on
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Internet |
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Telephone |
Dial the number listed on the proxy form or voting instruction form, as applicable. |
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Return the proxy form or voting instruction form, as applicable, in the enclosed postage paid envelope. |
Meeting Details
Securityholders will be asked to approve the Arrangement over the course of two separate, consecutive meetings, both to be held on
- Senior Noteholders will be asked to approve the Arrangement at the Senior Noteholders' Meeting scheduled to be held at
10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) onFriday, January 30, 2026 .
This meeting will be held virtually via online webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/cjr2026notes. - Shareholders will be asked to approve the Arrangement at the Shareholders' Meeting to be held at
11:00 a.m. (Toronto time) onFriday, January 30, 2026 . This meeting will be held virtually via online webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/cjr2026sm.
Additional Information
If you have any questions about the information contained in this press release, please contact Corus' Proxy Solicitation Agent:
- Toll-Free: 1-877-452-7184 in
North America (1-416-304-0211 outsideNorth America ) - Text: Text "INFO" to 1-877-452-7184 or 1-416-304-0211
- Email: assistance@laurelhill.com
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This document contains forward-looking information and should be read subject to the following cautionary language. To the extent any statements made in this document, or any of the documents referenced herein, contain information that is not historical, these statements are forward-looking statements and may be forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information"). This forward-looking information relates to, among other things,
Although Corus believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves many material assumptions, risks and uncertainties and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors or assumptions, which are subject to uncertainty, risk or change and may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, calculations, plans, or forecasts, are applied with respect to the forward-looking information, including in respect of the Proposed Transaction. Such factors include, without limitation, factors and assumptions relating to or impacting: the completion and implementation of the Proposed Transaction in the time and manner contemplated; the anticipated or expected effect or impacts of the Proposed Transaction on the Company and/or its stakeholders; the anticipated reduction of the Company's debt and related costs and interest expenses (including the amounts thereof); approval of the Proposed Transaction by: (i) applicable regulatory authorities and stock exchanges, (ii) holders of equity and debt, and (iii) relevant courts; exchange of existing equity and debt for new equity and debt; obligations and abilities of third parties to close or complete actions as part of the Proposed Transaction; dilution or changes to the Company's outstanding shares in number or value or markets for them; the ability of the Company to execute its strategies and plans, including any under or contemplated by the Proposed Transaction; the Company's financial and operating results being consistent with expectations; macroeconomic, business, geopolitical and market conditions; statements, decisions or positions by applicable courts or regulators such as, without limitation, the
These, and additional information regarding the foregoing list, are identified or discussed in
When relying on the Company's forward-looking information to make decisions with respect to Corus or the Proposed Transaction, investors and others should carefully consider all the foregoing information, including as incorporated by reference, and any other uncertainties and potential events. Unless otherwise specified, all forward-looking information in this document speaks as of the date of this document and may be updated or amended from time to time. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Corus disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, events or circumstances that may be made or arise from time to time.
About Corus Entertainment Inc.
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