据彭博社报道，备受关注的索尼印度子公司与ZEE娱乐的百亿美元合并案，在历经两年波折后，可能面临破局。知情人士透露，双方在合并后高管人事安排上无法达成一致，导致索尼计划终止这项交易。
索尼退出交易的主要原因在于ZEE娱乐首席执行官、创始人之子普尼特·高恩卡的去留问题。根据2021年的协议，高恩卡将出任合并后公司的CEO，但随着监管调查的展开，索尼对此产生了顾虑。消息人士称，索尼计划在1月20日的交易截止日期之前提交终止通知。
该合并原本有望打造一个市值100亿美元的媒体巨头，在世界人口最多的印度市场抗衡Netflix、亚马逊等全球巨头以及本土霸主Reliance。然而，印度证券交易委员会在6月指控ZEE娱乐捏造贷款回收记录，以掩盖创始人苏巴什·钱德拉的私人融资交易。监管机构称，钱德拉和他的儿子高恩卡“滥用职权”，挪用资金，并禁止高恩卡在上市公司担任执行或董事职位。
尽管高恩卡后来获得上诉机构的许可，但索尼仍将此事视为企业治理问题。根据2021年的协议，索尼影业印度公司将在合并后的媒体公司中持有50.86%的股份，高恩卡家族将持有3.99%的股份。
目前，谈判仍在进行中，理论上在最后期限之前还有达成协议的可能性。但考虑到监管调查和索尼的顾虑，这笔交易的达成变得复杂。索尼和ZEE娱乐的代表暂未回应置评请求。
Title: Sony plans to terminate $10 billion merger with Zee Entertainment
Keywords: Sony, Zee Entertainment, Merger termination
News content:
According to Bloomberg, the much-anticipated $10 billion merger between Sony’s Indian subsidiary and ZEE Entertainment is facing breakdown after two years of negotiations. Insiders say the deal is collapsing due to disagreements over executive appointments after the merger.
Sony’s withdrawal is mainly due to the departure of Punit Goenka, the CEO and son of ZEE Entertainment’s founder. According to the 2021 agreement, Goenka was supposed to serve as the CEO of the merged company. However, Sony has concerns about this due to regulatory investigations. Sources say Sony plans to submit a termination notice before the deal’s deadline on January 20.
The merger was expected to create a $10 billion media giant, aiming to compete with global giants like Netflix and Amazon, as well as domestic dominance Reliance in the world’s most populous market. However, the Indian Securities and Exchange Commission accused ZEE Entertainment of fabricating loan recovery records to cover up the private financing transactions of founder Subhash Chandra. The regulator said Chandra and his son Goenka “abused their positions” and misused funds, banning Goenka from serving as an executive or director in the listed company.
Although Goenka later obtained permission from an appellate body, Sony still considers it a corporate governance issue. According to the 2021 agreement, Sony Pictures India will hold 50.86% of the merged media company, while the Goenka family will hold 3.99%.
Currently, negotiations are still ongoing, and there is a theoretical possibility of reaching an agreement before the deadline. However, given the regulatory investigations and Sony’s concerns, the deal’s conclusion has become complex. Sony and ZEE Entertainment representatives have not responded to comment requests.
【来源】https://www.ithome.com/0/744/021.htm
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