Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. Agrees To Acquire Bontonfilm A.s., A Leading Content Rights Distribution Company In The Czech Republic And Slovak Republic

HAMILTON, Bermuda, March 28, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. ("CME") (Nasdaq:CETV) (Prague Stock Exchange:CETV) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary CME Media Pro B.V. has entered into a purchase agreement with an affiliate of Bancroft Private Equity, LLP ("Bancroft"), to acquire 100% of the shares of Bontonfilm a.s. ("Bontonfilm") from Bancroft and minority shareholders. Bontonfilm is a film, home entertainment, digital and television rights distribution company with operations in the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic and a leading market position in each country. The acquisition of Bontonfilm is consistent with CME's strategy to strengthen its position as one of the largest vertically integrated media companies in Central and Eastern Europe producing and distributing audiovisual content for cinema, home entertainment, television and new media.

In 2010 Bontonfilm generated revenues (unaudited) of approximately US$37 million and OIBDA of approximately US$2.6 million as adjusted for non-recurring items. The purchase price is on a debt-free basis and consists of initial cash consideration of US$11 million to be paid at closing, subject to a minimum cash balance of CZK36 million (approximately US$2 million) remaining in Bontonfilm. Additional cash consideration currently estimated at a maximum of US$1.5 million may be payable to the sellers in December 2011, depending on the OIBDA achieved by Bontonfilm for 2010, the amount of cash and working capital in the business at closing and the satisfaction of certain other indemnification obligations. Closing of the transaction, which is subject to the approval of the Antimonopoly Office of the Czech Republic and other customary closing conditions, is expected to occur by the end of the second quarter of this year.

Adrian Sarbu, CME's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Bontonfilm is an OIBDA positive and cash generative business that will have an immediate accretive impact on CME's bottom line. This acquisition greatly complements our Czech and Slovak broadcasting operations. It will enable us to maximize the value of our own library in both markets and increase third party revenues and OIBDA of Media Pro Entertainment."