USA Today owner Gannett Co., Inc. (GCI) reported Thursday morning that it has agreed to terms to acquire television station owner Belo Corp. (BLC) in a deal with an enterprise value of about $2.2 billion as it expands into a diversified multi-media company. The merged company will position Gannett as the fourth largest owner of major network affiliates, reaching nearly one-third of all U.S. households, including 21 of the 25 biggest markets in the country.
Belo owns and operates 20 televisions stations and associated websites, including affiliations with ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and CW in major markets. The company’s stations rank first or second in almost all of their local markets. With the acquisition, Gannett will nearly double their broadcast portfolio from 23 to 43 stations.
Gannett is already the largest newspaper owner in the U.S. With its network of properties, the company reaches more than 100 million people every month.
Per the definitive merger agreement, McLean, Virginia-based Gannett will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Belo for $13.75 per share – a 28 percent premium to Belo’s closing price on Wednesday – and assume $715 million in Belo’s existing debt. The boards of both companies have approved the merger, which is anticipated to close by the end of the year.
Gannett said it expects the transaction to generate significant free cash flow and be accretive to non-GAAP earnings per share by approximately $0.50 within the first 12 months.
Even with the extra financial burden of the Belo acquisition, Gannett intends to continue its share buyback program, replacing its existing remaining authorization with a new $300 million authorization for the next two years. The existing dividend payment plan will be continued as well.
“By enhancing our portfolio with one of the largest, most geographically diverse and network-balanced TV station groups in the country, the new Gannett will be well positioned to lead innovation, bolster our existing growth initiatives and take advantage of new opportunities in the emerging digital media landscape,” said Gracia Martore, president and chief executive of Gannett.
Calling the transaction an “outstanding and financially compelling transaction” for Belo shareholders, Belo president and CEO Dunia Shive added, “Together, this portfolio of media assets will be well-positioned to capitalize on substantial growth opportunities in the years ahead.”
Shares of both GCI and BELO roared ahead Thursday morning with the news to continue strong runs over the past year. Shares of GCI climbed about 25 percent to about $25 each, marking their highest level in five years. Shares have risen 42 percent so far in 2013 with the move. BELO shares skipped upward to near the buy-out price, representing the highest level of the stock since February 2008. In 2013, shares are ahead more than 80 percent with today’s news.
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