10th May 2012 07:00
UTV Media plc announces refinancing of Bank Facilities
UTV Media plc today announces agreement in respect to the refinancing of its Bank Facilities (subject to documentation) for a five year period maturing in May 2017.
The new Bank Facilities comprise a £65m Revolving Credit Facility (RCF), and a €25m Term Loan Facility (TLF). The TLF has bi-annual repayments of €2.5m in June and December with the first repayment due December 2012.
These facilities have been provided by a banking group comprising Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank (a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Scotland) and Northern Bank (a subsidiary of Danske Bank).
On the completion date later this month, £40.5m from the RCF and the total €25m TLF will be utilised to refinance the drawn debt on the existing Bank Facilities which were due to mature in June 2013.
The key covenants are the Net Debt / EBITDA ratio, which will be set at a maximum of 3.50 times until maturity and EBITDA / Interest cover which is required to be greater than 3.25 times until maturity.
UTV Media plc currently has a Net Debt / EBITDA ratio of less than 2.0 times. At this level the refinanced borrowings margin will increase by 0.25%.
Norman McKeown, Group Finance Director said "We are extremely pleased to have successfully refinanced our Bank Facilities on these terms. The five year period, the competitive margins and the available headroom within the covenants reflect a highly cash generative business with a strong balance sheet".
For further information contact:
Norman McKeown Group Finance Director +44 (0) 28 9026 2098
Orla McKibbin Head of Communications +44 (0) 28 9026 2188
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