News Broadcasting
Post Reliance Industries’ takeover, ICRA revises Network18’s ratings
MUMBAI: It was only a few days ago that Reliance Industries announced the takeover of Network18, and the effects of the acquisition can already be seen. In a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the media house has said that independent and professional investment and credit rating agency ICRA has revised its current ratings of the company.
Network18 media and investments’ long term rating has been changed from ICRA BBB+ to ICRA A. Meanwhile its short term rating which was at ICRA A2+ is now at ICRA A1+. This for Rs 140 crore bank facilities of the company. “The outlook on the long-term ratings is revised from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’,” states the announcement.
The fixed deposit programme of the company has been revised from MA- to MA with its outlook on the medium term rating revised from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’. The commercial paper of Rs 100 crore of the company was reaffirmed as ICRA A1+.
On the other hand, Network18’s subsidiary TV18 also saw its ratings being revised. The credit rating for the fixed deposit of the company has been revised from MA- to MA with medium term outlook changed from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’.
The long-term rating for bank facilities of Rs 370 crore of the company has from ICRA BBB+ changed to ICRA A. Outlook on long-term rating is revised from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’.
Credit rating for the commercial paper of Rs 200 crore has been reaffirmed as ICRA A1+.
Reliance Industries has now given an open offer that will go on till July.
