VTB Capital to Acquire Minority Stake in Tricolor TV

VTB Capital has acquired a minority stake in National Satellite Company, a Russian satellite TV operator. VTB Capital as a global investment bank and a financial investor will help Tricolor TV to increase value of its assets and get prepared for an IPO in few years.

PRESS RELEASE

VTB Capital announces today the acquisition of a minority stake in National Satellite Company, the largest Russian satellite TV operator operating under “Tricolor TV” brand.

With its subscriber base over 12.4 million (registered subscribers) including paying subscribers of 9.12 million as of March 25, 2013, Tricolor TV is the leader of Russia’s pay TV market and one of the largest pay TV providers in Europe.

VTB Capital as a global investment bank and a financial investor will help Tricolor TV to increase value of its assets and get prepared for an IPO in few years.

Tim Demchenko, Global Head of Private Equity and Special Situations at VTB Capital, noted: “Investment in Tricolor TV is one more step in implementing VTB Capital’s private equity strategy to invest in consumer-related industries in Russia. We believe its strong market position and countrywide footprint will enable the company to capitalize on opportunities in rapidly growing Russian pay-TV market and successfully complete IPO in the next few years”.

Alexander Makarov, CEO of National Satellite Company, said: “”Partnership with VTB Group is a strategic step which will allow the Company to get prepared for the next level of Company’s development.”

Additional information:

Tricolor TV is Russia’s largest satellite TV operator that has been broadcasting its digital channel package in the European part of Russia as well as the Siberian, Ural and Far East regions. According to British market research company IHS Screen Digest, Tricolor TV ranked first in the world for the pace of growth of subscriber base in 2012, it is the most popular Pay TV operator in Europe and is one of the five Pay TV world leaders. Tricolor TV holds the third position in the ranking of the world’s largest television operators according to the number of subscribers.

Press Office

Vadim Bely
Vadim.Bely@vtbcapital.com

Julia Govorun
Julia.Govorun@vtbcapital.com

Alexandra Shablovskaya
Alexandra.Shablovskaya@vtbcapital.com