Zee-Sony Deal: Zee Entertainment likely to repay IndusInd $10 million to wrap Sony deal

Zee Leisure Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) has doubtless agreed to repay dues owed to IndusInd Financial institution Ltd. as the corporate seeks to resolve insolvency proceedings initiated towards it and inch nearer to finishing a merger with a Sony Group unit to create a $10 billion media large, information company Bloomberg reported on Thursday.

Dues of round Rs 837 million could possibly be settled as early as Friday and the Mumbai-based financial institution has agreed to withdraw its insolvency proceedings towards the media firm as soon as the reimbursement is made, the report stated.

Karan Taurani of Elara Capital stated that the NCLT merger approval could not come till the instances are resolved or settled in NCLT. The businesses lately settled their claims with the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) because the latter referred to as off their case in NCLT. Earlier this January, IPRS moved the insolvency tribunal NCLT towards ZEEL claiming a default of Rs 211.41 crore.

The excellent claims by IDBI and Indusind Financial institution are within the vary of Rs 150 crore every of the banks, he stated.

“We consider expedition on the settlement will work favourably for the Zee-Sony merger as valuations are compelling within the vary of 7-10x fwd PER for the merged entity (7x excluding Zee5 and Sony Liv losses),” Taurani added.

The matter pertains to a default of Rs 89 crore by Essel Group’s multisystem operator arm Siti Networks claimed by IndusInd Financial institution, for which ZEEL was a guarantor.

Earlier on February 24, the Nationwide Firm Regulation Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) stayed the insolvency proceedings initiated towards ZEEL.Admitting a petition filed by ZEEL Managing Director and chief govt Punit Goenka, the appellate tribunal issued notices to personal sector lender IndusInd Financial institution and the interim decision skilled directing them to file a reply in two weeks.

On February 22, the Mumbai bench of the Nationwide Firm Regulation Tribunal (NCLT) had admitted a plea filed by IndusInd Financial institution to provoke insolvency proceedings.

It had additionally appointed an interim decision skilled after suspending the board.

The NCLAT order was a significant reprieve for ZEEL, which is merging with rival Culver Max Leisure, previously referred to as Sony Photos Networks India, creating India”s greatest media empire.

The corporate has acquired obligatory approvals from shareholders, collectors, bourses and CCI and a closing go-ahead from NCLT is awaited.

(With company inputs)