Warner Music Group Confirms Its Indication of Interest in Relation to French Digital Music Company Believe SA

Warner Music Group ("Warner Music Group" or WMG") confirms that on February 21, 2024 it approached Believe SA, a global digital music company headquartered in France and listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris ("Believe" or the "Company") to initiate discussions with respect to a potential combination of Believe with WMG (the "Transaction") and that it indicated on February 27, 2024 that, at this stage, WMG thought it could value Believe at a price of at least €17/share based on currently available public information.

 

WMG hereby confirms the indications contained in the press release of the ad hoc committee of the Board of Directors of Believe published on March 1, 2024, which reiterates, in particular that WMG's approach was made to the Company on a confidential, exploratory and non-binding basis and that WMG has requested access to a limited list of key due diligence information with a view to possibly submitting a formal offer relating to the Transaction (as the case may be, by applying usual measures to protect such information).

 

WMG reaffirms its interest in the potential Transaction and considers that such a combination would be beneficial to the Company and all of its other stakeholders (shareholders, employees, artists and labels).  As opposed to the purely financial transaction contemplated by the consortium formed by EQT, TCV, and Denis Ladegaillerie (the "Consortium") announced on February 12, 2024, WMG would provide Believe with strategic support and financial stability to help the development and growth of the Company, including by accelerating its expansion into new geographies. In addition, WMG envisages financial terms that would be more attractive than those announced by the Consortium. Although no decision has been taken at this stage, the Transaction could be for cash only, without WMG excluding the possibility of a share component, and without any financing conditions. If necessary, and depending on the information provided by the Company, the filing of the offer could be subject to obtaining authorizations from relevant competition authorities.

 

WMG notes that the Consortium, after having been made aware of WMG's proposal, has decided to waive the conditions precedent relating to the block acquisitions (related to the issuance of a fairness opinion by the independent expert appointed by the ad hoc committee and the issuance by the Company's board of directors of its recommendation with respect to the offer, following consultation of the Company's works council) included in the agreements transferring to it c.72% of Believe's share capital. WMG considers that such a waiver violates a number of rules of French securities regulations which are meant to protect shareholders (including the sellers and their investors) and the Company, and that the validity of such waiver could be challenged.

 

WMG is currently awaiting access to the due diligence information requested on February 27, 2024, and which it considers key to allow it to submit a formal proposal, as the case may be, with respect to the Transaction and confirm its indicative price of at least €17/share (coupon attached) based on the elements mentioned above.

 

WMG will keep the market updated on any further material developments relating to the above situation.

Tweet