By Michelle Chapman, AP Business Writer
Nielsen is being acquired for $16 billion, including debt, about a week after the media measurement company rejected a $9 billion offer.
Viewing data collected by Nielsen plays a big role in determining where billions in advertising dollars are spent each year. The company itself has annual global revenue of about $3.5 billion.
A group of private equity investors led by Evergreen Coast Capital Corp., an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management L.P., and Brookfield Business Partners L.P. along with institutional partners will pay $28 for each outstanding Nielsen share.
Brookfield Business Partners will invest approximately $2.65 billion via preferred equity, convertible into 45% of Nielsen's common equity. The equity version of the deal is worth just over $10 billion, with the remainder in debt held by Nielsen.
Brookfield said Tuesday that it anticipates investing approximately $600 million, with the remaining balance funded from institutional partners.
Nielsen Holdings Plc, based in New York City, turned down the group's previous offer, saying it had significantly undervalued the business. After it accepted the revised over, shares of Nielsen jumped 22% at the opening bell.
Nielsen has come under criticism for failing to create new methods of capturing the amount of time people spend watching streaming services, such as Netflix or Hulu. It has become a much more complex task as people now load content on to phones, tablets and other smart devices.
Nielsen is attempting to address those complaints and is expected to launch a new cross-media measurement tool by the end of the year. Nielsen One, according to the company, can deliver more comparable and comprehensive metrics across platforms ranging from traditional televisions to a host of other digital and streaming services.
The board at Nielsen has voted unanimously in support the revised offer, and the company will go private if the transaction closes.
However, there is a 45 day go-shop period during which Nielsen can look at and accept other offers, but breaking the agreement with the private equity group comes with a $102 million termination fee.
The deal is expected to close in the second half of this year. It still needs approval from Nielsen shareholders and regulators.
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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